The American Policyholder Association (APA) has emerged as a powerful force in the fight against insurance fraud, with recent achievements highlighting the critical importance of its work. The organization’s efforts, supported by dedicated legal professionals, concerned citizens, and courageous property insurance adjusters, have led to groundbreaking exposés that are shaking the foundations of the insurance industry.
APA’s Recent Triumphs
One of the most significant recent victories for the APA came in the form of a CBS 60 Minutes investigation that brought to light alleged widespread insurance fraud following Hurricane Ian. I noted this in CBS 60 Minutes Exposes Alleged Insurance Company Fraud: Adjusters Reveal Altered Hurricane Damage Estimates by Claims Management. This exposé, which featured testimony from whistleblowers claiming that insurance companies deliberately altered hurricane damage reports to underpay homeowners, was made possible in part by the tireless efforts of the APA and its supporters.
The above photo of Merlin Law Group attorneys Drew Houghton, Larry Bach and myself in Nashville for the Annual APA Convention was taken as we discussed the importance of independent adjusters coming forward when others in claims management demand that they act unethically when adjusting property insurance losses. Our firm attorneys have consistently supported the APA’s mission and have played a crucial role in this investigation. Attorney Steven Bush, highlighted in the CBS report, has been at the forefront of investigating these claims. Bush’s work in helping whistleblowers come forward has been instrumental in exposing the alleged fraudulent practices of some insurance companies. If you are an independent adjuster and have been asked to change your report or estimate to harm a policyholder wrongly, please call Steven Bush.
The result of the CBS 60 Minutes exposé demonstrates the power of active contribution to the cause of policyholder rights. It’s not enough to simply share or republish information about insurance fraud. Real change comes from those who are willing to invest time, resources, and expertise into uncovering the truth.
Please Take Action and Help
- Financial Support: Consider making a donation to the APA. Our law firm and others have contributed financially, recognizing that the APA’s work requires substantial resources to investigate complex fraud cases and support whistleblowers. If you are truly interested in helping policyholders, prove your support with your time and money.
- Professional Expertise: If you’re a legal professional, consider offering your services pro bono to support the APA’s mission. Many law firms and others have dedicated significant time to this cause, and we encourage others to do the same.
- Whistleblower Support: If you’re in the insurance industry and have witnessed fraudulent practices, come forward. The APA is ready to support and protect whistleblowers. We believe that the vast majority of property insurance adjusters will act ethically and voice their disapproval of insurance companies that wrongfully alter estimates for wrongful profit if they are certain that they are supported when they expose these practices.
- Advocacy: Use your voice and platform to advocate for stronger policyholder protections and insurance industry reforms. Write to your representatives, share your experiences, and keep the conversation going. Recent changes in the Florida Adjuster Code of Ethics, as noted in Stop Using Licensed Contractor Bids For Claim Estimates—A Quick Analysis of Florida’s Imperfect Emergency Rule of Property Loss Adjusting, demonstrate that exposure and truth result in regulatory change protecting policyholders.
The CBS 60 Minutes report shed light on the massive scandal in Florida’s insurance claims industry. Politicians in bed with the insurance industry and supported by political contributions have been embarrassed by the public learning how poorly insurance claims departments are regulated and how a false narrative has been portrayed in the media of lawsuits by Floridians looking for a fair payment after a catastrophe. However, this exposé didn’t happen in a vacuum. It was the result of dedicated individuals and organizations working tirelessly behind the scenes to uncover the truth. Much of this disclosure was the result of individuals in the APA who made this a reality.
Doug Quinn, the executive director of the APA, emphasized the lack of transparency in the claims process and the need for legal consequences for insurance companies engaging in fraudulent practices. His call for equal treatment in investigating and prosecuting insurance fraud, regardless of whether homeowners or insurance carriers commit it, underscores the importance of active involvement in this fight.
The recent achievements of the APA, supported by individuals like Steven Bush, demonstrate what’s possible when people actively contribute to uncovering the truth. But there’s still much work to be done. We call on all concerned citizens, legal professionals, and industry insiders to move beyond passive engagement. Don’t just share these stories – be part of making them. Contribute your time, money, and expertise to organizations like the APA.
Support whistleblowers. Advocating for change and against insurance fraud is not a spectator sport. It requires active participation from all of us. By working together and actively contributing to these efforts, we can create a more just and transparent insurance industry that truly serves the needs of policyholders.
The exposé on CBS 60 Minutes is proof of what we can achieve when we work together to uncover the truth. Let’s build on this momentum and continue to fight for the rights of policyholders everywhere by supporting the efforts of the APA.
Thought For The Day
Every country needs its whistleblowers. They are crucial to a healthy society. The employee who, in the public interest, has the independence of judgment and the personal courage to challenge malpractice or illegality is a kind of public hero.
—Fuad Alakbarov