Florida property insurance crisis News

KBRA: Florida Insurers Got Creative in 2023 but Higher Reinsurance, Storms Coming

Things are looking up in the buffeted Florida market, but reinsurance rates will continue to rise for the next two years, and a 2024 hurricane season could be busy. It all suggests that property insurers will continue to get creative …

Florida Trial Lawyer State Rep Offers Condo ACV Bill as a Solution to Costs

A bill introduced by a Democrat and trial attorney would take a step toward something that property insurers have longed for in recent years – actual cash value coverage on roofs, at least condominium roofs. State Rep. Hillary Cassel, D-Dania …

Florida Governor’s Budget Would Slice Premium Taxes and FIGA Assessment

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state’s insurance commissioner have touted the governor’s 2024-2025 state budget, released this week, as a $431 million relief package for Florida homeowners struggling with escalating property insurance premiums. Insurance industry lobbyists, consultants, professors and …

Florida Authorities Charge 4 in Fraudulent Roof Claims, Issue Warrant for Contractor

Florida authorities have announced the arrest of four people in connection with an alleged scheme to deliberately damage roofs in order to qualify them for insurance claims. And another contractor well known to insurers was arrested in Fort Myers. A …

US Senate Committee Wants Investigation Into Florida Citizens’ Loss Reserves

The chairman of the U.S. Senate’s Budget Committee has begun an investigation into Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and how the state-created insurer plans to address potential underwriting losses from extreme weather events in coming years. The Budget Committee is …

Florida Lawmakers Fund Home Hardening Program, Idalia Recovery in Special Session

The Florida House of Representatives and Senate moved quickly this week to approve more funding for the state’s popular home-hardening program, along with grants, loans and tax breaks for areas hit by Hurricane Idalia in August. But a last-ditch effort …

Florida Senator Raising Eyebrows with Pitch for Investment in New Insurance Company

Florida state Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, has sparked some controversy by pitching investment opportunities in a startup property insurance company in Florida. This may be a good time for a new business venture by an insurer – with higher rates …

Universal Ready to Add Florida Policies Again, Contemplates Potential Rate Cuts

Universal Insurance Holdings, after discontinuing more than 160,000 policies over the last two years, now sounds like it’s ready to start growing again in its home state of Florida. “As we move forward, we’re more confident in the Florida market, …

Kentucky Clarifies Matching Law While Florida Insurers Get Limits on Replacement

Matching requirements for roofs and interior furnishings have been a tough issue in the property insurance industry for years. Recent developments show how insurers and regulators in different Southeast states are managing the mandates. In Kentucky last week, the state …

Florida Special Session Called to Punish Iran…and Help Floridians with Wind Mitigation

Florida lawmakers have agreed to convene in another special session – the sixth in three years – this time to sanction the country of Iran but with a little indirect Florida property insurance relief also on the agenda. The call …