The sinkhole crisis is receiving a lot of media attention across Florida, which is great given how sinkhole claims have spread like an epidemic beyond what has been traditionally called "Sinkhole Alley" in the Tampa Bay area.

On Monday, the Florida Senate's Committee on Banking and Insurance will meet on SB 408 - a bill that begins the legislative process of fixing Florida's sinkhole threat. You can expect a lot of media coverage and various voices both pro and con. 

We should expect to see a rising tide of misinformation, alarmism, and self-serving rhetoric coming from special interests. Therefore, I've provided three links to key information that will help you determine fact vs. fiction. 

The first link is to the Florida Senate's study and report on "Issues Relating to Sinkholes" presented to the Committee of Banking and Insurance last month. This 47 page report is very credible and detailed.  It makes it very clear that the alarming growth of sinkhole claims having nothing to do with a sudden weakening of Florida's geology, but rather trial lawyers and public adjusters exploiting the current system for financial gain.

The second link is to my website where you will find an excellent article recently written by Orlando Sentinel columnist, Michael Thomas.  In his column, "Florida's Sinkhole Shakedown: Insurers New Pitfall", Thomas effectively presents the entire sinkhole case facing Florida in a well written, concise and easy to understand language.  I've also posted the link to his article, but take a few minutes and read this excellent piece.

Third link is to my guest column, which was published in the Orlando Sentinel titled, "A Property Insurance Redo", which immediately follows Mike Thomas's column on my website. I appreciate you reading it.  Sinkholes are just one of several problems we are facing in the property insurance market, so we must not waver or take our eyes off the ball as we begin the legislative season.

Please forward this information on to your colleagues, clients, and friends. Sharing information is key to achieving solutions for longer-term stability in Florida's insurance market.  

Don D. Brown

www.DonBrownFlorida.com