Must-Read Insurance Journal Highlights from the Southeast Region in 2025

Property insurers have long raised concerns about roofers intentionally damaging roofs to file fraudulent claims. However, few have taken action as decisive as the North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance and the state’s Department of Insurance, which recently conducted a sting operation to catch these bad actors in the act. This story has emerged as one of the most significant and widely read in the Southeast this year. Below are some of the top articles from the region in 2025.

North Carolina Sting Operation Alleges Roofer Damaged Shingles to File Claim

This fall, the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) and Farm Bureau collaborated on a sting operation in Wake County. They set up a “bait house” and invited roofing companies to inspect it, recording the roofers’ actions. The operation proved effective, leading to the arrest of Robert Allen Bentley, a senior project manager at A&M Premier Roofing and Construction. On December 10, he was charged with insurance fraud after investigators allegedly witnessed him and a co-worker damaging roof shingles.

The roofing company then attempted to claim that the damage was caused by wind and hail, seeking $30,000 from Farm Bureau. State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey noted that the idea for the sting arose after “door knocker” roofers pressured homeowners in Raleigh and other cities to sign up for new roofs with minimal out-of-pocket costs. A&M stated that Bentley was an independent contractor no longer associated with the firm.

Florida Meteorologist Predicts Where the Next Hurricane Will Hit, For a Price

David Dilley, a meteorologist with a master’s degree from Rutgers University, has gained attention for his storm forecasts, which he claims have up to 90% accuracy. His service, available for $400 annually, has attracted around 200 subscribers, with 80% returning for more. Dilley argues that natural cycles, rather than man-made climate change, influence storm patterns, using his ClimatePulse Technology based on extensive weather and geological data.

Don’t Look Now, But Citizens Is No Longer the Largest Property Insurer in Florida

In November, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state’s insurer of last resort, announced it is no longer the largest carrier in Florida. This shift marks a crucial milestone toward a more stable, market-based insurance system. Citizens’ policy count has dropped to about 560,000, the lowest since spring 2021, and is expected to fall to around 380,000 by year-end, significantly below the peak of 1.3 million policies in 2023.

As a result, Universal Property & Casualty Insurance and State Farm Florida Insurance have emerged as the largest property insurers in the state, with Universal reporting over 561,000 policies and State Farm holding approximately 646,429 policies.

Did Florida Appeals Court Put the Final Nail in the AOB Coffin? Maybe

After Florida lawmakers imposed restrictions on assignment-of-benefits (AOB) agreements, the state appeals courts may have finally closed the door on this controversial practice. In January, Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeals upheld a ruling that an organization, Holding Insurance Companies Accountable (HICA), lacked standing to sue American Integrity Insurance Co. HICA argued it was merely advocating for homeowners, but the courts found that its actions were equivalent to an AOB.

Size of Florida’s Slide Insurance Exec Compensation Has Tongues Wagging

In June, Tampa-based Slide Insurance’s initial public offering drew attention for all the wrong reasons. The filing revealed that CEO Bruce Lucas earned over $21 million in 2024, raising eyebrows among industry executives. His wife, COO Shannon Lucas, received an additional $16.5 million. One Florida insurance executive remarked, “Capitalism is a great system, but this is out of control.”

Georgia Lawmakers Approve Major Tort Reform, Overhaul of Legal System

In early 2025, Georgia lawmakers followed Florida’s lead by passing significant tort reforms aimed at curbing excessive lawsuits. Governor Brian Kemp’s plan received House approval, aiming to limit “frivolous” suits that harm business owners while critics argue it may hinder valid claims from victims of violence and abuse.

In Alabama, Shot Employee Gets No Workers’ Comp and No Employer’s Liability

A U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling left a severely injured convenience store employee without compensation, finding that he was not covered by workers’ compensation insurance. The court ruled in favor of State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., stating that the employer’s liability policy excluded coverage for injuries arising from criminal acts.

Mississippi Supreme Court Won’t Budge on $15M Bad-Faith Decision Against USAA

In October, the Mississippi Supreme Court upheld a nearly $15 million ruling against USAA, stemming from a long-standing claim dispute related to Hurricane Katrina. The court’s decision drew significant attention, prompting intervention from the Mississippi insurance commissioner and various business groups concerned about the implications for the property insurance market.

Two More Insurers Enter Florida Market as Hurricane Season Warms Up

This summer, two new property insurers entered the Florida market, bringing the total to 16 new carriers since 2023. This influx is seen as a positive sign, indicating that legislative changes aimed at reducing claims litigation are fostering competition in the state.

Public Adjusters Decry Florida Citizens’ New Plan That Keeps Their Names Off Checks

In a surprising move, Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. changed its policy regarding public claims adjusters, no longer listing them as co-payees on insurance payouts. This decision has sparked potential legal challenges from public adjusters, with the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters exploring all avenues to address the impact on their livelihoods.

Property insurers have long raised concerns about roofers intentionally damaging roofs to file fraudulent claims. However, few have taken action as decisive as the North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance and the state’s Department of Insurance, which recently conducted a sting operation to catch these bad actors in the act. This story has emerged as one of the most significant and widely read in the Southeast this year. Below are some of the top articles from the region in 2025.

North Carolina Sting Operation Alleges Roofer Damaged Shingles to File Claim

This fall, the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) and Farm Bureau collaborated on a sting operation in Wake County. They set up a “bait house” and invited roofing companies to inspect it, recording the roofers’ actions. The operation proved effective, leading to the arrest of Robert Allen Bentley, a senior project manager at A&M Premier Roofing and Construction. On December 10, he was charged with insurance fraud after investigators allegedly witnessed him and a co-worker damaging roof shingles.

The roofing company then attempted to claim that the damage was caused by wind and hail, seeking $30,000 from Farm Bureau. State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey noted that the idea for the sting arose after “door knocker” roofers pressured homeowners in Raleigh and other cities to sign up for new roofs with minimal out-of-pocket costs. A&M stated that Bentley was an independent contractor no longer associated with the firm.

Florida Meteorologist Predicts Where the Next Hurricane Will Hit, For a Price

David Dilley, a meteorologist with a master’s degree from Rutgers University, has gained attention for his storm forecasts, which he claims have up to 90% accuracy. His service, available for $400 annually, has attracted around 200 subscribers, with 80% returning for more. Dilley argues that natural cycles, rather than man-made climate change, influence storm patterns, using his ClimatePulse Technology based on extensive weather and geological data.

Don’t Look Now, But Citizens Is No Longer the Largest Property Insurer in Florida

In November, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state’s insurer of last resort, announced it is no longer the largest carrier in Florida. This shift marks a crucial milestone toward a more stable, market-based insurance system. Citizens’ policy count has dropped to about 560,000, the lowest since spring 2021, and is expected to fall to around 380,000 by year-end, significantly below the peak of 1.3 million policies in 2023.

As a result, Universal Property & Casualty Insurance and State Farm Florida Insurance have emerged as the largest property insurers in the state, with Universal reporting over 561,000 policies and State Farm holding approximately 646,429 policies.

Did Florida Appeals Court Put the Final Nail in the AOB Coffin? Maybe

After Florida lawmakers imposed restrictions on assignment-of-benefits (AOB) agreements, the state appeals courts may have finally closed the door on this controversial practice. In January, Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeals upheld a ruling that an organization, Holding Insurance Companies Accountable (HICA), lacked standing to sue American Integrity Insurance Co. HICA argued it was merely advocating for homeowners, but the courts found that its actions were equivalent to an AOB.

Size of Florida’s Slide Insurance Exec Compensation Has Tongues Wagging

In June, Tampa-based Slide Insurance’s initial public offering drew attention for all the wrong reasons. The filing revealed that CEO Bruce Lucas earned over $21 million in 2024, raising eyebrows among industry executives. His wife, COO Shannon Lucas, received an additional $16.5 million. One Florida insurance executive remarked, “Capitalism is a great system, but this is out of control.”

Georgia Lawmakers Approve Major Tort Reform, Overhaul of Legal System

In early 2025, Georgia lawmakers followed Florida’s lead by passing significant tort reforms aimed at curbing excessive lawsuits. Governor Brian Kemp’s plan received House approval, aiming to limit “frivolous” suits that harm business owners while critics argue it may hinder valid claims from victims of violence and abuse.

In Alabama, Shot Employee Gets No Workers’ Comp and No Employer’s Liability

A U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling left a severely injured convenience store employee without compensation, finding that he was not covered by workers’ compensation insurance. The court ruled in favor of State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., stating that the employer’s liability policy excluded coverage for injuries arising from criminal acts.

Mississippi Supreme Court Won’t Budge on $15M Bad-Faith Decision Against USAA

In October, the Mississippi Supreme Court upheld a nearly $15 million ruling against USAA, stemming from a long-standing claim dispute related to Hurricane Katrina. The court’s decision drew significant attention, prompting intervention from the Mississippi insurance commissioner and various business groups concerned about the implications for the property insurance market.

Two More Insurers Enter Florida Market as Hurricane Season Warms Up

This summer, two new property insurers entered the Florida market, bringing the total to 16 new carriers since 2023. This influx is seen as a positive sign, indicating that legislative changes aimed at reducing claims litigation are fostering competition in the state.

Public Adjusters Decry Florida Citizens’ New Plan That Keeps Their Names Off Checks

In a surprising move, Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. changed its policy regarding public claims adjusters, no longer listing them as co-payees on insurance payouts. This decision has sparked potential legal challenges from public adjusters, with the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters exploring all avenues to address the impact on their livelihoods.