Dodgy contractors share blame for high rates, last-chance insurer says
By Michael Moline, Tallahassee correspondent Don’t blame us for rising premiums, administrators of Florida’s high-risk property insurance pool told state regulators Thursday—blame lawyers and unscrupulous building contractors. And a bunch of burst pipes and overflowing washing machines in South Florida. John Rollins, chief risk officer for Citizens Property Insurance Corp., pointed to an increased use since 2013 of assignment-of-benefits arrangements, whereby contractors persuade policyholders to let them assume their claims in exchange for fast repairs. He said that 55 percent…