'IS THAT LEGAL?': Citizens Property Insurance expands arbitration system despite legislative pushback

As Florida senators work to give Citizens Property Insurance customers more power to dispute claim denials, the state's insurer of last resort is moving in the opposite direction by expanding a controversial arbitration process that critics say unfairly favors the company over homeowners.

New documents obtained by WPTV show Citizens is pushing more policyholders into its mandatory arbitration system, which forces disputes out of traditional courts and before a single judge paid by Citizens.

The expansion comes despite growing scrutiny from lawmakers and questions from a circuit judge about whether the process is constitutional.

"Citizens, I'm just giving them my money. I'm just giving it up, just giving it away," said Brandi Roberts, a Fort Pierce homeowner whose claim has been pending for a year and a half.

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