News
Florida insurance fund strongest ever for storm season
TALLAHASSEE — Florida is heading into storm season with some good news. A state-created fund that backs up private insurers appears to be in the best financial shape it has been during its 20 years of existence.
Insurance bills bouncing between chambers, not passing as sine die draws near
A squabble between the House and Senate is holding up passage of several insurance bills with only two days left in the legislative session.
No to higher rates
South Florida homeowners have learned a hard lesson over the years: When the Legislature talks about “reforming” Citizens Property Insurance Corp., it’s time to hold onto their wallets. Sure enough, lawmakers in Tallahassee are at it again this year, and once again South Florida policyholders are in the eye of the storm.
House moderates Citizens insurance bill
A showdown over property insurance reforms is brewing in the Florida Legislature after big rate increases approved by the Senate on Thursday were left out of House legislation unveiled 24 hours later.
Legislature needs to pass Citizens reform this year
Reform efforts aimed at Citizens Property Insurance Corp. stalled on Tuesday but legislators should not put off fixing Florida’s skewed property insurance market.
Mutual insurer incentive program good for Florida
As an insurance agent in the Sarasota County area, I am constantly challenged by Florida’s difficult property insurance market. Fortunately, one proposal that is currently under review by the Florida Legislature could allow me to offer adequate coverage from a trusted insurer at rate levels comparable to that of Citizens.
Cat Fund bill moves in House, but stalled in Senate
Legislation to reduce the total coverage of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, or Cat Fund, by $3 billion over three years cleared the House Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday.
Bill Newton: Support Cat Fund reform bill
Each session, we have lawmakers who work on Florida’s homeowner insurance issues. This year, Rep. Bill Hager, R-Boca Raton, is sponsoring Cat Fund reform legislation with a reasonable bill that will help ensure our insurance system keeps its promises to consumers.
Tackle financial exposure to storms
Many media sources have recently had a number of positive slants about Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (Cat Fund). How many people in Florida wish that were true?
New Bill Would Boost Citizens Property Insurance Rates
TALLAHASSEE | A bill that would boost rates for Citizens Property Insurance customers and allow private insurers to increase rates with less oversight cleared a state Senate committee Tuesday, but not without significant opposition.
Reinsurers hoping to reinsert Cat Fund provisions on insurance bill
Legislation overhauling Florida’s property insurance market made it through its first Senate committee Thursday, but some industry groups are hoping to tack on provisions to shrink the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, or Cat Fund.
Citizens is political minefield in Capitol debate
Florida lawmakers have been trying to “fix” Citizens Property Insurance for years. But every year, as the 60-day legislative session winds down, solutions seem to vanish.
Bill could bring higher insurance rates for property owners
TALLAHASSEE — A bill brimming with enticements for the private property insurance industry — and forcing homeowners to pay higher rates to reinvigorate a tepid market — passed its first committee in the Florida Legislature on Thursday.
Misconceptions Regarding Citizens vs. Florida-based Insurers
There are several misconceptions regarding Citizens Property Insurance when compared to the Florida-based homeowners insurance companies.
Schultz commentary: Florida Legislature must show new thinking on property insurance
When it comes to the debate about homeowners insurance in Florida, it’s as if most telephones were connected to walls on lines and the web was something only spiders use. As the Florida Legislature prepares to convene Tuesday, it is more than 20 years since Hurricane Andrew leveled the property insurance system and any pretense …
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