How bad is Florida’s homeowners insurance crisis? The federal government wants to know. Lawmakers dove into that question to gain a greater understanding and explore the growing insurance problems across the country.
But amidst the challenges, there are actionable solutions for homeowners. Many are feeling the brunt of rising insurance premiums, so much so that people are shying away from buying a home in Florida after learning that there’s no escaping the insurance problems. Weather disasters are becoming more and more prevalent, even in previously safe areas like Tallahassee.
However, experts suggest several strategies to mitigate the impact of these rising costs.
Understanding the Crisis
U.S. Senators and insurance experts discussed how climate change has impacted insurance companies, your rates, and the rest of the country for two hours last week – Florida took center stage.
“In Florida, national insurers have reduced their exposure as a significant proportion of the insurance market has moved to Citizens or smaller insurers with limited capital that are heavily dependent on reinsurance,” said Rade Musulin, an Actuary and the former Advisory Council Chair of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund.
The Fund was created after Hurricane Andrew, which hit the state in 1992. It reimburses insurance companies some of the money they spend paying out your hurricane claims.
“A major hurricane hitting a densely populated area like Miami could trigger large and long-lasting post-assessments or even exceed the system funding capacity,” he explained.
Solutions in Sight
- Improving Building Standards:
- “[Florida’s] improvement in building codes has reduced exposure,” Musulin noted. Better construction standards can lower insurance costs by minimizing damage during storms.
- Reevaluating Building Zones:
- Experts suggest that building in high-risk areas should come with higher insurance rates to discourage development in vulnerable zones.
- Diversifying Insurance Options:
- Seeking policies from a variety of smaller insurers can sometimes provide better rates than larger national companies. However, it’s important to evaluate their reliability carefully.
- State and Federal Assistance:
- While Citizens Property Insurance reassures that it can cover claims without federal help, continuous dialogue between state and federal entities could bring about more robust support systems for homeowners.
Experts are advising that building zones across the country need to be reconsidered, particularly highlighting that insurance coverage will become increasingly expensive if homes are built in high-risk areas. This alarming trend is spooking potential home buyers away from the Florida real estate market, subsequently affecting real estate agents and home values.
A Response to Federal Bailout Concerns
A Citizens Property Insurance spokesperson sent WINK News Consumer Investigator Andryanna Sheppard the 7-page letter the CEO sent the committee chair in April. It reads in part that “Citizens is structured and has the mechanisms and resources in place to always be able to pay the claims of its insureds without the need for federal assistance.”
In response to inquiries from Chairman Whitehouse, Citizens Property Insurance made it clear that the state-run insurer has never considered requesting a federal bailout to cover losses. They emphasized that they have not discussed the possibility of federal assistance with Governor DeSantis, Insurance Commissioner Yaworsky, or other state officials.
Citizens’ letter affirmed that their current statutory structure has all the necessary mechanisms to cover its liabilities without needing federal intervention. Historically, Citizens and its predecessor entities have always managed to pay claims independently, even after severe storms. They pointed out that a historical list of assessments in Florida can support this claim.
In conclusion, while Florida’s homeowners insurance crisis presents considerable challenges, there are concrete solutions in sight that promise a brighter future. The ongoing reforms and strategic initiatives, such as improving building standards and reevaluating high-risk building zones, are pivotal steps towards mitigating the impact of rising insurance costs.
Diversifying insurance options and fostering continuous dialogue between state and federal entities can also enhance robustness in the market. Moreover, the unwavering stance of Citizens Property Insurance in maintaining fiscal independence and their proactive measures reflects strong leadership and foresight.
