Homeowners insurance rates are expected to experience a notable increase following a year that has seen significant severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, and where forecasts predict that the 2011 hurricane season will be more active than the average. In fact, in areas where the storms have been the most damaging, policyholders may find themselves paying up to 20 percent more to their insurers. Though some homeowners are counting on a lower increase because the value of their homes have decreased, it is important to recognize that it is not the market…
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Destructive weather and natural disasters makes shopping for homeowners insurance a challenge
The variability of destructive weather forces from one state to the next has meant that homeowners can expect the property insurance marketplace to be quite complex, and they will need to do their homework in order to choose the best policy. According to vice president Don Griffin of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), the variability in severe weather among the states and within the states makes it “worthwhile to do comparison shopping from time to time to make sure the premium you are paying and the coverages…
Read MoreFlorida fire insurance warning issued
When most people think of wildfires, there are many places that might come to mind but Florida usually isn’t one of them. Since the first of the year, Florida has had over 2,660 wildfires. Florida’s drought conditions coupled with low humidity and high winds have made ideal conditions for wildfires. The director with the Division of Forestry in Florida has issued several warnings and urged residents to follow county burn bans. Visitors to the states parks are also encouraged to check any burn bans that may be in affect before…
Read MoreFlorida insurer asking for 27% rate hike
As insurers all over the country continue to receive criticism from policyholders, and even then federal government, many of them continue to seek rate increases. Fidelity National Property and Casualty Insurance of Jacksonville, Florida, is proposing a rate hike of 27%. The proposal is a move to recoup the monetary losses of last year, according to vice president John Giorgianni. State regulators are currently reviewing the proposal and it may be subject to additional review by the Department of Health and Human Services. Giorgianni insists that the rate hikes is…
Read MoreNew limitations on Florida sinkhole insurance imposed
Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed off on a bill that will change the state’s property insurance regulations. The bill was proposed several months ago and has been the subject of controversy since its introduction. Opponents of the bill call its provisions “anti-consumer.” State officials, however, say that the bill is a necessary measure to combat fraud. The Governor approved the law only six days after it arrived on his desk, drawing the ire of a number of consumer advocacy groups who stood in opposition of it. The new law…
Read MoreMixed reviews on new Florida property insurance bill
Many homeowners who live in Florida may not be so excited about Florida Lawmakers passing Senate Bill 408. The bill is sponsored by Senator G. Richter, and is one of several, aimed at knocking down the “cost drivers” that are causing insurance rates to skyrocket. The bill focuses on creating more competition in the private marketplace and cutting down on fraudulent sinkhole claims. Earlier last month during a Capitol press conference, two local representatives spoke out against SB Bill 408. One of the lawmakers opposing the bill went against his…
Read MoreFlorida Insurance: Controversy over new property insurance bill
Florida Governor Rick Scott has been the subject of public scorn recently after pressuring the state’s lawmakers to form a bill that would significantly cut the number of policies that could be written by Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Scott has voiced his determination to reduce Citizens’ role in the state’s insurance industry for some time. He denies that his goal is the closure of the insurer, however. The Governor says that he recognizes the value of the insurer but insists that some changes need to be made to justify its…
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