INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., May 18 – The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), in continuing its push to end the no-fault system in Florida, is urging Governor Jeb Bush to veto a bill that would extend the sunset provision of the current no-fault auto insurance law to January 1, 2009.

NAMIC senior state affairs manager David Reddick, in a letter to Bush stated that extending the laws sunset provision to January 1, 2009 will do nothing to help reduce rates for Florida drivers.

A March 2006 report prepared by the Insurance Research Council found that [Personal Injury Protection] PIP claims costs in Florida increased at double-digit rates in the past three years, far outpacing the rate of inflation. These increases are likely to continue if the PIP law is re-enacted through 2009.

NAMIC also believes the provisions in the current law allow for more than enough time for Florida drivers to adjust to the tort system after having been subjected to the PIP law for the past 35 years.

For these reasons, NAMIC asks you to please veto Senate Bill 2114 and bring rate relief to Florida drivers.