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An Afghanistan-bound soldier and his wife got a state Senate committee to put the breaks on sweeping sink hole insurance changes today. The changes would not require companies to offer the coverage. The couple told a story of claims being denied by USAA Insurance. Lobbyists for the company quickly hustled the couple out of the room. They declined to talk with us, but the committee delayed a planned vote, and  Senator Mike Fasano, an opponent of the changes, says it is due to the story told by the couple.

“I believe the testimony today, not from the insurance industry, not from the public adjusters, not from the sinkhole attorneys, but from the little guy and gal, the homeowner, that testimony today I believe forced my members, and even probably the chairman, the sponsor of the bill, to take a second look at what we are doing. It’s wrong what we’re doing, what they’re doing, anyway,” Fasano (R-New Port Richey) said.

A vote is expected in two weeks. Sink hole coverage claims have quadrupled in recent years, and sponsor Garrett Richter believes some companies will offer the coverage even if it is not mandated.