A bill to extend Florida's no-fault auto insurance system was revised to include a few consumer-friendly provisions and more money to fight insurance fraud. Then it passed its first hurdle in the state Senate Tuesday.

State Sen. Rudy Garcia, R-Hialeah, was eager to move the auto insurance bill forward to clear the way for his committee to work on a massive homeowners insurance measure next week.

The Hialeah Republican, who chairs the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, believes the state's looming property-casualty insurance crisis is more pressing. But other senators on the committee felt the discussion on auto insurance was rushed, and they weren't satisfied with the bill as it now stands.

Sen. Walter G. ''Skip'' Campbell, D-Tamarac, voted for the bill but said it doesn't do enough to deal with insurers who routinely deny legitimate claims for medical benefits from auto accident victims.

The auto insurance bill that cleared the Senate committee proposes extending the state's no-fault law to 2009. But a growing group of insurers wouldn't mind if the law expires all together. The law is scheduled to sunset if no action is taken.

The extra funds would add personnel to the Department of Financial Services' Division of Insurance Fraud as well as provide pay raises for existing personnel. It would also add six prosecutors to handle auto fraud cases. Miami-Dade County already has two such prosecutors.

A National Insurance Crime Bureau report released this month found that Miami, Tampa and Orlando were among the top 10 cities for staged auto accidents and related insurance fraud. Miami ranked No. 1 in the nation.

The troublesome provision in the current law requires all drivers to purchase at least $10,000 of personal injury protection. Known as PIP, it should provide basic medical costs for auto accident victims and help avoid frivolous lawsuits.

Many critics of the law say PIP breeds rampant fraud because healthcare providers and sometimes drivers stage accidents or claim fake ones just to collect the first $10,000 in medical benefits.

Less than a month ago, the Senate committee put forth its first attempt to reform the no-fault law. That version was considered too insurance-industry friendly by consumer groups, doctors and attorneys.

The biggest change in the revised Senate bill passed Tuesday: A proposed medical fee schedule was scrapped. Insurers had favored the idea as a way to limit costs.

The bill that will now go to the Senate's healthcare committee had few supporters among the various insurers, doctors and attorneys who came to testify before the insurance committee.

A consumer from LeHigh Acres told the committee his wife was in an accident last year, suffering multiple injuries to her head, back and hips. Yet their auto insurer has refused to pay any of her medical bills. He recently had to pay more than $3,000 to one of her doctors.

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