This should alarm every Floridian!

Natural disasters and property damages in general do not discriminate. The vulnerability every policyholder will find themselves if this bill passes is greater than anyone can imagine. The passing of Florida HB 459 (2026), introduced by Rep. Randy Maggard, poses a grave threat to the constitutional rights of policyholders across the state. Under this bill, policyholders would lose their crucial right to access courts and juries in insurance disputes. Instead, they would be forced into an administrative process that heavily favors the insurance companies—the very entities that they might need to contest against.

For years, courts have served as the bastion of fairness and justice for those who feel powerless against large corporations. HB 459 proposes that disputes be settled in the Division of Administrative Hearing (DOAH), where there's a significantly higher success rate for insurers. This shift not only erodes trust in our judicial system but also directly benefits the insurance sector at the expense of hardworking Floridians that have already experienced unfair treatment by big corporations in the insurance industry.

Imagine paying premiums diligently, expecting security for your family, only to have your rights to challenge unjust decisions stripped away. Why should a policyholder lose the right to a jury trial when there is a dispute with the insurer?
Why should a homeowner be forced into a resolution of a dispute in a procedure they never agreed to? Why policyholders who paid insurance premiums for years now have to pay part of the cost of securing the benefits they were promised? Would Rep. Maggard or any other elected officials be willing to have their own family’s claim decided this way? 

This is not just an attack on consumer rights—it's an attack on justice itself. This is about power, who can use it and the beneficiaries of those unfair decisions. When insurance companies act in bad faith, policyholders should have the ability to seek redress in an impartial court, not be pushed into an administrative setting that's stacked against them.

The bill's implications are far-reaching. By removing the right to a jury trial, we are setting a dangerous precedent where individuals lack the capability to adequately fight for what they are rightfully owed. The administrative process lacks the transparency, impartiality, and procedural (appraisal) protections that a court setting provides. Property insurance disputes are extremely complex. They involve engineering analysis, construction timelines, mold assessments, structural evaluations, and dense policy language requiring careful interpretation.

Real lives will be impacted—families could face financial ruin in a system that provides an unfair advantage to insurers. All Floridians deserve robust protections and avenues to fight for their hard-earned rights.

We must stand united to protect our constitutional rights and ensure that justice remains accessible to all. We cannot allow Florida HB 459 to barge its way through, benefitting a select few at the cost of many. Demand that our lawmakers reject this bill to uphold the integrity of our justice system, and preserve the rights of policyholders across the state.

Contact your Representatives, Senators, Governor and make sure they hear your voice opposing this unfair and abusive bill.
Sign this petition to send a clear message: We oppose HB 459. The right to access courts and achieve justice is non-negotiable. Join us in this fight to protect our community's rights and future.