Category: News for Consumers

Our goal is to educate by posting only researched subjects for consumers and placing in a way that is easy to understand. From tips on saving money to coverages and what they mean.

Long Distance Moving Hacks to Simplify Your Move

Ryan Cox
Long Distance Moving - Hacks

It can be overwhelming to move across town, much less to another state or across the country. If you have a move in the near future, take a deep breath and consider the following long-distance moving hacks and tips to make life easier. Create a Moving Checklist To avoid much of the stress of moving, start the process with a moving checklist. Keep it in a binder where everyone in the household can access it. This checklist should include each of the steps, beginning with hiring the moving company and…

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Florida Homeowners Insurance Market Sees Promising Shift with Depopulation Program

Angela Linders
florida insurance homeowers

The landscape of Florida’s homeowners insurance industry is undergoing significant changes as private insurers have absorbed 275,324 policies from the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp so far in 2023. These changes, spotlighted during the recent Citizens Board of Governors meeting, demonstrate a strategic attempt to balance the market through a process called “depopulation.” What Depopulation Means for Consumers For consumers, the depopulation program has a direct impact on their insurance decisions. Here’s what it boils down to: if a private insurance company extends an offer that exceeds a policy owner’s…

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Skepticism Abounds as Florida Welcomes New Property Insurance Companies

Angela Linders
Florida Property Insurance - Skeptical

Eight New Florida Property Insurance Companies Amid Market Shakeup In a concerted effort to inject stability into Florida’s property insurance market, a fleet of eight new insurance companies has embarked on a mission to provide a reprieve from the soaring premiums and to fill the void left by the withdrawal of large national insurers. This proactive stance comes in the wake of an alarming 68% surge in home insurance premiums recorded between May 2021 and May 2023, positioning Florida at the pinnacle of the US in terms of homeowners’ coverage…

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Florida Insurance Crisis Intensifies With Predictions of a Harsh Hurricane Season

Kirk Chivas
Florida insurance crisis - hurricane image on radar

Florida Homeowners Brace for Busy Hurricane Season Amid Skyrocketing Insurance Rates Florida homeowners, already bearing insurance rates that nearly triple the national average, now face the grim prospect of an “explosive” hurricane season, casting shadows on the financial resilience of the state’s insurer of last resort. With home insurance premiums in the Sunshine State escalating to an average of $6,000 a year—a stark contrast to the national average of approximately $1,700—Governor Ron DeSantis has called the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. “not solvent,” sparking concerns over its potential inability to…

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State Farm General Downgraded by AM Best Amidst Weakening Balance Sheet

Live Insurance News
State Farm Insurance Building - A downgrade to B

Overview of State Farm Downgrade In a move that has caught the attention of policyholders and investors alike, AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of State Farm General Insurance Company (State Farm General). This marks a significant shift from an ‘A’ (Excellent) rating to a ‘B’ (Fair) classification, while the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) dropped from “a” (Excellent) to “bb+” (Fair). Implications of Ratings – Balance Sheet Strength Assessed as Weak The Credit Ratings issued by AM Best take into account a variety of factors…

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