The case, which came out in a civil lawsuit, was reported in 2021 to the state agency that investigates insurance fraud, the Department of Financial Services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, state investigators quickly dismissed the complaint without interviewing Buvens. A spokesperson for the head of the agency, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, said it was closed \u2018due to lack of participation by witnesses.\u2019 Yet, Buvens refuted that claim in repeated follow-up emails to his office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, at least seven other adjusters for insurance companies have come forward, stating that their reports were similarly manipulated to pay homeowners less than their claim estimates. Four have given sworn testimony in civil cases, which can be used in criminal court. Three others spoke during the Florida legislative session in December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patronis’ office has reopened Buvens’ case as part of a larger investigation into claims against United Property and Casualty, now insolvent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial response from state regulators reflects how officials pursue complaints of fraud by policyholders and their advocates, but not complaints against insurance companies, said Doug Quinn, executive director of the American Policyholder Association. It was Quinn’s association that referred the case to Patronis’ office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018There appears to be no motivation to go after insurance companies,\u2019 Quinn said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n