Sunshine Sentinel

Mike Caruso, a state representative for Florida House District 87, expressed opposition to HB 1551, stating that it would reverse reforms enacted in 2022 and increase insurance costs for Floridians. He conveyed this sentiment in a post on the social media platform X on March 26.

"Seems counterintuitive to team up with the trial attorneys to roll back the tort reform we passed in 2022 and 2023," said Caruso. "the same reforms that helped stop skyrocketing property insurance costs. I am against HB 1551. a bill that, according to its own analysis, will raise insurance costs on Floridians."

According to the Insurance Information Institute, Florida implemented tort reform measures in 2022 and 2023 aimed at reducing litigation and stabilizing rising insurance premiums. These reforms eliminated one-way attorney fees and assignment of benefits in property insurance cases. House Bill 1551, introduced in 2025, seeks to reverse these reforms by reinstating attorney fee entitlements in certain insurance disputes. Analysts warn that this could lead to increased lawsuit abuse, which has historically contributed to higher insurance costs for consumers in Florida.

The Florida Senate reports that House Bill 1551 proposes reinstating attorney fee awards in insurance actions, requiring courts to grant fees to prevailing parties in civil cases against insurers. Critics argue that this change mirrors previous laws that led to increased litigation and higher insurance premiums in the state. Adopting HB 1551 would undo reforms intended to stabilize the insurance market and control premium growth.

JD Supra reported concerns about the bill's definition of a prevailing party—any insured who obtains a judgment greater than the insurer's settlement offer. This standard could incentivize insurers to settle even questionable claims to avoid potential fee awards, potentially increasing costs. Such changes may burden consumers with higher premiums as insurers cover these additional expenses.

Caruso is currently serving in District 87 following redistricting in 2022. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from George Washington University and has experience as a certified public accountant with firms such as KPMG and Grant Thornton. Caruso has been part of the Florida House of Representatives since 2018, holding leadership roles such as Vice Chair of the State Affairs Committee and Chair of the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee, according to FLHouse.