Hospital-led Coalition Cautions Motorists on New Risks October 1, Lauds Legislative Leaders for Scheduling No-fault Hearings...( TALLAHASSEE Fla. Sept. 28 /- Flor...),Health

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida's hospitals and the Coalition to Protect Florida's Drivers cautioned the state's motorists that they may face new exposure risks if involved in a car crash when no-fault auto insurance expires on Monday.

However, the Coalition applauded Governor Charlie Crist, Senate President Ken Pruitt, House Speaker Marco Rubio, and the two leader negotiators in each chamber-Senator Bill Posey and Representative Ellyn Bogdanoff-for their efforts to reform and extend the 36-year-old no-fault system. The Coalition praised Senate and House leaders for introducing no-fault reform bills and scheduling workshops on Tuesday, a day before the start of the special session.

"Unfortunately, many Florida drivers may find themselves dangerously exposed to new personal liability in crashes when Florida returns to a fault-based system Monday morning," said Wayne NeSmith, President of the Florida Hospital Association and a coalition leader. "The only way for Florida to ensure that drivers and their families are adequately protected is to require drivers to carry some minimum mandatory coverage for both people and property."

"With this in mind, we are urgently calling on the Legislature now to add no-fault to the special session and to pass a bill that achieves these important public safeguards," NeSmith added.

Direct General Insurance Company, a leading nonstandard auto insurer in Florida and a coalition member, is urging motorists to contact their insurance agents immediately to determine if they are adequately protected when no-fault expires.

"The compromise bill being considered next week by legislators is important for Florida's motorists," said Dan Tarantin, CEO of Direct General Insurance Company. "Legislators should understand that preserving the no-fault system in the special session means there will be fewer uninsured drivers on Florida's roads, the state's roads will be safer, and the cost of auto
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