Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannAugust 10, 2017

Almost 25 years have passed since a Category 5 hurricane struck south of Miami, and the city’s vulnerability to catastrophic storm damage has grown exponentially, according to a new insurance underwriters’ analysis. At the time, Hurricane Andrew was the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history, causing more than $26 billion of damage in Florida’s […]

Gary FineoutJune 20, 2017

Florida’s state-created property insurer, contending that it is dealing with a flood of suspicious water-related claims and lawsuits, is asking state regulators to raise rates for thousands of homeowners next year, including those in the most heavily-populated areas. The board that oversees Citizens Property Insurance voted unanimously Tuesday to raise homeowner rates an average 5.3 […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 8, 2016

Insured losses from Hurricane Hermine could amount to $500 million, but the industry could absorb the hit, according to an analysis published this week. Fitch Ratings Inc. cited an estimate from Karen Clark & Co., a “catastrophe modeling” consultancy in Boston. Total economic damages could amount to $1 billion in Florida and other southeastern states, […]

Guest AuthorJuly 26, 2016

Hats off to Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate Sha’Ron James. Her forum on the explosion of water claims, held June 14 in Boca Raton, shows determination to help consumers despite politics that have blocked even one floor debate in the Florida Legislature. Water losses could be the worst consumer rip-off ever. Reports from the Office of Insurance […]

Associated PressFebruary 25, 2016

Florida legislators may try once again give additional protections to customers of Citizens Property Insurance. A Senate panel on Thursday approved a bill that would put a limit on how many times a year a homeowner could be asked to leave the state-created insurance carrier. The bill sponsored by Sen. Anitere Flores would also make […]

Associated PressDecember 10, 2015

Florida’s largest property insurer is discussing whether to eliminate caps on rate increases and limit what homeowners can do if they have water damage. The state-created Citizens Property Insurance is debating changes in order to combat lawsuits tied to water damage claims. Citizens Property Insurance President Barry Gilway said Wednesday that a rise in lawsuits […]

Jac VerSteegJune 3, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday vetoed a law – House Bill 1087 – that would have created protections for Florida homeowners who have insurance from Citizens, the state-run insurer of last resort. Scott said he thought the bill would hinder efforts to depopulate Citizens. But from my experience, he got things exactly backwards. Specifically, the […]

Associated PressJune 3, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott is vetoing bills designed to beef up convenience store security and give additional protections to customers of Citizens Property Insurance. Scott on Tuesday vetoed the two bills while also signing 17 other ones into law. The store security bill (HB 755) would have required family-owned convenience stores to follow certain security measures […]

Melissa RossMarch 5, 2015

Using the newly completed Southbank Riverwalk as a location with the city’s Main Street Bridge as a backdrop on Thursday, Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown assembled a group of local business leaders to make the economic case for his re-election. After glowing introductions from local business owners, Brown stepped to the mike and touted his record […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 10, 2015

Florida’s property insurance system has been on a roller-coaster ride over the past 10 years. Since Hurricane Wilma struck Florida’s coast in October 2005, the Sunshine State has lived up to its moniker, having gone more than nine years and four months without a landfall. And that unprecedented streak of luck has allowed the state […]

Tag: Citizens Property Insurance

Insurer: Miami is more vulnerable to hurricanes like Andrew

Citing water losses, Florida insurer approves rate hikes

Hermine claims may reach $500 million, insurance analysis suggests

Scott Johnson: Assignment of Benefits — Florida’s worst consumer rip-off

Legislators may try once again give additional protections to Citizens Property Insurance consumers

Spike in claims sparks talk of rate hike, policy changes at Citizens Property Insurance

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: Gov. Rick Scott's veto hinders effort to woo homeowners away from Citizens

Governor vetoes insurance, store security bills

Alvin Brown appears with business leaders, touts economic record

Sal Nuzzo: Florida's Vanilla Ice property insurance system