In this episode RC Group Publisher Jill Bloom speaks with Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney, partner at Adams & Reese LLP, about skyrocketing insurance costs in Florida, which has led to other issues, including policy changes to try to bring prices down.

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Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney, partner at Adams & Reese LLP, discusses the ongoing insurance crisis in Florida. Cotney also discusses the Trump administration’s recent cabinet nominations and how the roofing industry will be affected, especially relating to immigration policy.

“Florida’s become the epicenter for insurance reform nationwide, and the insurance lobby is using Florida as sort of a test market,” Cotney says. “One of the things that we’re seeing is a continued focus by the insurance lobby to reduce litigation expenses as it relates to homeowners bringing claims against insurance companies.”

Cotney adds that there are multiple bills being worked on that will make it harder to file insurance claims.

“I anticipate that as the year progresses, you’re going to see a bigger push, both from the legislature and from [Florida’s] governor, to do what they can to try to keep insurers in this market,” Cotney says.

Cotney also discusses the Trump administration’s recent nominations and how the construction industry will be affected, especially relating to immigration policy.

“When we go to Roofing Day this year, I encourage all our listeners, whether you’re in roofing or not, to go up to Congress and make sure that your voice is heard,” Cotney says. “If you have associations or others who have the capability of going up there as a group, talk on this issue of immigration because we need to have a way to get a bigger workforce here easily.”

Cotney also believes that some of the committee appointments in Congress could be beneficial to the trades, especially in regards to labor and OSHA.

Overall, Cotney recommends keeping your eye on what you can control.

“There’s no point in doing a lot of hand-wringing,” Cotney says. “What we can do is focus on what we’ve got in the present, prepare as best we can [and] make sure that we’re constantly communicating with our labor.”