Florida homeowners, not insurers, are the real victims of the insurance crisis. But does that matter to the legislature?

We, South Florida Homeowners carry high deductibles and pay astronomical rates for property insurance – the highest in the country, three times the national average.

We, the overwhelmed, invest thousands of our hard-earned dollars in storm-proof windows and doors, shutters, and whatever else comes along that promises to make our homes and businesses safer.

If we’re lucky, as I seem to be this year when others across the state were summarily dismissed in the wake of Hurricane Ian and by their insurers Nicolewe receive extension packages.

Claims have never been paid to me. I was a Florida Homeowner since 1984 and all I asked my insurer for was a roof inspection after Hurricane Irma, which was based on $750 worth of loose tiles that I fixed and sealed. But – surprise! – my 2023 hurricane deductible is up to colossal $21,985.

This is sometimes more than a shingle roof costs Florida — and it makes my policy pretty much useless unless a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane like Ian devastates my landlocked Northwest Miami-Dade Neighborhood.

I didn’t get credit for mine either $35,000 Investment in storm-proof windows and doors. The excuse: I already got a discount for aluminum shutters.

There’s a big difference in risk when protection is built in versus having shutters put up when a hurricane is heading that way. Also, my windows and doors now have double protection because I can add the shutters in case of a direct hit. I also get no credit for the deafening smoke alarms throughout the house. Another lame excuse: not affiliated with a monitoring service.

But there is no dispute with an insurer – and no legislator Tallahassee ready to stand up for me or you.

The only ones interested in the consumer side of the insurance conversation are democratsand they are a shrinking minority party – and shrinking – in red Florida. They had little power last season and now that voters have spoken, none.

CONTINUE READING: Florida Lawmakers are working on property insurance, but warn there are no quick and easy fixes

Special insurance session

So we’re at the mercy of the insurers – and that’s where Gov. Ron DeSantis leaves us neglected in their hands again.

In their misguided effort to act only on behalf of an industry that claims to be in crisis, Florida Lawmakers left out the most critical part of the property insurance equation in this week’s session: customers.

Any legislation under consideration aims to protect the insurance industry – not us. We should wait for lower interest rates to miraculously trickle in from the political theatre Tallahassee.

In fact, the plan of a bill to fix the insurance market is to protect insurers – from us, their vulnerable victims.

Yes, the liberty-spitting, Republican-dominated state legislature and governor are poised to take away a key homeowner’s right: the ability to sue insurance companies that fail to pay out legitimate claims.

It’s a monstrous penalty for Floridians who don’t commit fraud, just try to make their claim. Without this right, real estate owners have no influence whatsoever. And insurance companies are notorious for playing tough.

I once helped my elderly parents with a no-fuss roof claim after their insurer after a hurricane, district farm, refused to report them. It was only resolved after I told her appraiser, “They’ve been paying you since they bought this house in the 1970’s. Serve them right or I’ll hire a lawyer.”

Shortly after payment district farm have they cancelled. The service lasted as long as they could collect – and only collect.

So before you fire the lawyers, think it over, legislators.

All Florida affected

After all, it’s not just South Florida no longer be cupped.

About a month ago, a longtime insurer canceled a friend’s policy with a beach house Northeast Florida. All his possessions were bundled together for big discounts: house, cars, boat.

He was furious at the prospect of a breakup.

“We don’t even remember what bundling is in South Florida,” I comforted him. “Welcome to the club and to Citizens, your last choice insurer that is needed by many now.”

No, I don’t wish higher interest rates on anyone. but South Florida have been gratuitously assigned the highest rates in the state when all are at near equal risk, as this hurricane season has proven.

We were spared, but just Central Florida was punched.

Lawmakers have the power to influence insurance regulation, but they fall short Miami-Dade since deadly Hurricane Andrew devastated poorly built South Dade communities in 1992. As a result of the damage—and a Herald investigation that proved less than strict regulations were to blame—we implemented the state’s most stringent building codes.

Other vulnerable districts have not.

Yet we still pay significantly disproportionate prices here when our homes are at their most stable.

Miami-Dade Republicans should stand up for us and insist on fairer prices, but they won’t.

That would threaten the conservative North-South alliance through which they are funded, elected, and promoted to better offices without rats (unlike the freshman DM) and rewarded with appointments to prestigious committees and leadership positions.

They are followers, and as with everything DeSantis mandates, this special session is largely scripted, a done deal in which there is no room for consumer votes.

But you all voted for her, so ride that high red wave.

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