Tag: property insurance crisis

Florida’s Property Insurance Shake-Up: What Homeowners Need to Know

H. Cutner
Florida's Property Insurance

State-Backed Citizens Insurance Plans to Raise Rates Residents across Florida are bracing for another surge in property insurance costs as Citizens Property Insurance, the state’s insurer of last resort, inches closer to finalizing a 14% rate increase for 2025. This proposal, already approved by Citizens’ board, seeks to align rates with the private market while continuing efforts to reduce the insurer’s policyholder count. But as Floridians juggle rising premiums and limited options, the bigger question remains—what’s the way forward? Why Are Florida Insurance Rates Rising? Florida’s property insurance market faces…

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Major Decision by Florida Court of Appeals Shakes Up Insurance Landscape

H. Cutner
Florida court of appeals

Florida Court Ruling Redefines Assignment of Benefits (AOB) and Its Impact on Homeowners Insurance A recent ruling by a Florida court of appeals has established that a “direction to pay” (DTP) by a policyholder does not equate to an “assignment of benefits” (AOB). This decision serves as a significant milestone reinforcing the legislative reform introduced through Senate Bill 2-A in 2023. The reform prohibits insurance policy benefits issued after January 1, 2023, from being assigned to third parties. The objective of Senate Bill 2-A is to curb the extensive litigation…

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Ricardo Lara’s Reforms: Can They Save California’s Property Market from Fire Risks?

Marc
Can They Save California's Property Market from Fire Risks?

Commissioner Lara’s Reforms to Rescue California’s Property Market In a bid to rescue California’s beleaguered property market, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has announced a series of reforms aimed at addressing the growing crisis in the state’s insurance sector. The situation has reached a critical point, with many insurers either pausing or severely limiting new policies, particularly in high-risk areas prone to wildfires. The Roots of the Crisis The current crisis is partly rooted in the 1988 voter-passed Proposition 103, which mandates that insurance companies obtain approval from the California Department…

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