Posted by  Patricia A. Giantomenico, Bradenton on 07/20  at  07:52 AM

I have a copy of the Senate Bill 1980 if anyone wants to read it.  It is 83 pages long.  Just email me at

Please continue to contact your State Senator, Representatives, Governor, etc. 

Also on this site: http://www.stormingmad.com/action.html they have a list of people to contact etc. 

Plus it mentions: Host neighborhood meetings to collect copies of outrageous homeowner’s insurance bills.  Forward copies of bills to:

Allan Bense, House Speaker
420 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Tom Lee, Senate President
409 The Capitol
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

Patty

Posted by  Kay Giampa, New Port RIchey on 07/20  at  06:10 AM

TO: Terri Lynn Creely, Trinity, Florida
You are one of many thousand that are on this sinking ship, called Florida Living!  Our home was on the market for 6 months, at a very very reasonable price, no one would touch it when they found out what they would have to pay in insurance.  There are close to two hundred homes for sale in my subdivision alone, you will almost have to give your home away to get out!  I feel that we are all being held hostage here in Florida, no other state is having this problem, not even NC who get’s hammered each year with hurricanes!  We need to go outside of Florida for help, after all it’s the leaders in Florida that are letting this happen to us, and doing NOTHING about it!!

Posted by  Terri Lynn Creely, Trinity, Florida on 07/19  at  10:08 PM

Well for some strange reason the last part of my article isn`t being printed. I quess they don`t like what I wrote. Should anyone be interested in the last paragraph of my article my email address is .

Posted by  Terri Lynn Creely, Trinity, Florida on 07/19  at  09:20 PM

I am self employed and clean homes in a retirement community. I recently was advised that I needed surgery. If I don`t work.....I don`t get paid. This also poses a problem. I might have to make the decision not to have surgery. All states have the potential for devastation and yet Florida pays dearly. If the insurance companies want to pull out of florida then the government should step up to the plate and say.. you need to cover all not just auto and life. It`s all or nothing. Again I am very sorry the article was split it didn`t advise to use only 1000 charc. Thank you. Terri

Posted by  Terri Lynn Creely, Trinity, Florida on 07/19  at  09:13 PM

Are the shareholders,stockholders feeling the impact? I highly doubt it. All of us will be feeling the impact this will have on our economy. I remember calling the insurance regulators in 2003 when we had an 89% increase from State Farm. We were already paying higher premiums due to a sinkhole we had in 2001. We were placed in high risk with extremely high deuctables. According to the regulators this increase is justifiable...How can something be justifiable if it has a devasting impact on peoples lives? Please read on Thank you.

Posted by  Terri Lynn Creely, Trinity, Florida on 07/19  at  09:07 PM

We learned that it wouldn`t make a difference since we would have to go with Citizens our premiums would be much higher. So if we arr faced with this dilemma other people will also be and therefore we would not be able to sell our home forcing us into bankruptcy.The insurance companies say they paid out 38 billion last year due to the hurricanes. We have not experienced that kind of devastation for many years. So what happened to all the premiums collected prior to the year of Frances, ect. Again sorry for the inconvience but please read on..

Posted by  Terri Lynn Creely, Trinity, Florida on 07/19  at  09:00 PM

we recently discussed relocating to another state. Florida has become an extremely expensive state to live in. Between homeowners, car insurance and taxes we are being forced to sell and move. This also poses a problem...since the only company insuring homes is Citizens people can not sell or buy.Last week my husband called our State Farm insurance agent and asked if we were to buy another home here in florida would they continue to insure us. He was told as long as you purchase the home by August otherwise no. We thought perhaps selling and purchasing a home less exspensive it would help to make things more affordable for us. Again please read on..............

Posted by  Terri Lynn Creely, Trinity, Florida on 07/19  at  08:52 PM

Thank You for giving us the opportunity to share our feelings concerning the State Farm insurance increase. For days I considered writting to the media about the crisis with insurance for florida homeowners. The State Farm insurance increase of 53% could put my husband and I into bankruptcy.We were preparing for retirement and last year we refinanced our home from 30years to 15 years. Doing this obviously increased the terest payment significantly. Now that our insurance will increase from $3,100.00 to $4,743.00 the monthly payment will increase an addtional $ 137.00 per month.This might seem minimal for some it is significant for us. My husband works in the Pinellas Park area and we like many others feel the gas crunch we spend an additional $ 236.00 a month for gas. This article continues after typing all my comments it wouldn`t let me send it because it had 2900 charc so please read on.....

Posted by  Mr. Chuck Schroeder, St Petersburg on 07/19  at  08:27 PM

GIT-R-DONE - It’s been a little while since my last update so let me first apologize for the delay. I was in therapy for a few hours after I had a horrible nightmare about being stranded on a island with the cast of The View featuring a team of five dynamic women of different ages. We had to draw straws to see who had to eat Rosie and I got the short straw. In case anyone is interested US Airways wants to make the most out of a nauseating situation. The Tempe, Ariz.-based airline plans to sell advertisements on its air-sickness bags. Run a ad, “More Florida Homeowner Insurance Agents Needed badly” ya’ll come. GIT-R-DONE

Posted by  Mr. Chuck Schroeder, St Petersburg on 07/19  at  02:03 PM

What sets me off is the owners of pet’s who refuse to evacuate during a hurricane thus risking their own lives and the lives of others, which I find irresponsible, and than our elected leaders find strategies though a portion of a massive emergency management bill the governor signed recently, tells state emergency officials to address the need for such facilities. Mixing pets with the general evacuation population raises issues of allergies, fleas and animal waste, this doesn’t limit the pets to dogs and cats, opening the shelters to any small animal, such as rabbits and ferrets, that will fit in a crate, plus other’s to. The need to look after “HUMAN LIFE” first, those that don’t have enough common sense to leave the pet’s at home to save themself first, should not be allowed to even own a pet. AND WE PAY THESE PEOPLE TO “DREAM THIS GARBAGE UP.?. When there’s other thing’s to really worry about. Like property taxes, higher homestead exemption’s and property Ins.

Posted by  Larry Harrison, Lutz (Pasco), Fl on 07/19  at  12:15 PM

I have been forced to insure with Citizens since moving back to Pasco county in August 2003. My premium was $769 the first year. In August 2004 it went to $930. In August 2005 it went to $1881. Now in August 2006 it will be $3521. If my math is correct that is 357% increase since August 2003. I can’t think of anything that has increased that much in the same timeframe, not even close. I have no choice if I want insurance which sure sounds like Citizens has a MONOPOLY in Pasco County. What if Citizens Insurance decides next year will be $15,000??? Who will stop this???

Posted by  Cindy Winston, Holiday (southwest Pasco Cty.) on 07/19  at  11:46 AM

I’ve been with State Farm for many years, however they dropped my wind damage portion of coverage about 6 years ago.  Three years ago I was dropped again and had to go with Citizens.  I’m in a non-flood area.  This year State Farm doubled the cost of the partial covered they extend me.  Two years ago Citizens coverage for Wind Damage cost me $300+, last year it went up to $600+, this year they wanted $1231.  With large deductibles I got it down to $800+.  Silly me, I thought I was going to be able to retire here in FL.  I guess I’ll be joining the exodus.  I’m picturing the highways out of the state to be more crowded then when a hurricane is headed our way.

Posted by  Joan Terrell, Port Richey Fla on 07/19  at  10:39 AM

After paying for my home for 30 years have now been left uninsured.  In 1995 a sinkhole appeared and I was dropped by Allstate and turned over to Citizens.  Once again a sinkhole caused damage to my property and I was dropped by Citizens and taken over by Lloyds of London, the only company that would insure me with a sinkhole exclusion, now after paying their premiums for 4 years I have been terminated because I live within several miles from saltwater.  This is an impossible situation and I blame the developers who continue to build on unstable land and pass the consequences on to the Floridians and our current politicians who continue to let this happen.  My career is affected also I am a Realtor and a young family simply cannot afford an additional 3-4 hundred dollar payment on top of mortgage, taxes, gas and basic life.  So here I sit uninsured with my hope that my home will be unharmed from fire, theft liability for my pool etc.  That’s my comment, any answers?????

Posted by  Robert Berry, tampa on 07/19  at  09:12 AM

I just received my home owner’s renewal from Vanguard.  I was paying $1,639.00 and have been increased to $4,618.00.  I don’t understand how that can be rationalized.  I am not in a flood zone or sink hole are and there have been no claims. None of my neighbors pay more than $2,000.00 per year.
As a General Contractor, I can see a trend in people trying to sell their homes because they can’t afford the insurance.  This will bring the new housing market and the remodel and addition business to a halt before long. This is going to hurt all builders large and small.If people can’t afford to buy, another industry will be badly hurt.  Talk about hurting the economy and the trickle down effect, well here it is!

Posted by  Louise M Robison, Beverly Hills fl on 07/19  at  06:55 AM

nation wide already raised our home owners insurance 70% so i guess when the request is aproved it will go up anothe 70%
and there is nothing we can do about it if we cancel insurance and go wuthsone one else it wont do any good
Lou

Posted by  Doug Schmidt, 5298 Stone Oaks Drive, Lakeland, Florida on 07/19  at  06:47 AM

I guesss I am one of the fortunate ones when it comes to Home Insurance.  I built my home and moved in August 31st, 2005.  My first year insurance totaled $1,153.00, standard policy.  I just received this years bill for coverage, amounting to $1,165.84.  That’s an increase of $12.84!  The new Policy increased my coverage on the dwelling, other structure, personal property and loss of use.  My insurance is Tower Hill Preferred Insurance Co. out of Gainesville and my local agent is Herndon & Associates, Lakeland.  I carry my automobile insurance with them also.  I have never had a problem with them with any of my claims.  Nor does anyone in my family work for them.  I guess I’m for once, a “fortunate son”!
Doug Schmidt

Posted by  Michael Hughes, Palm Harbor on 07/19  at  05:38 AM

I have been a resident of Florida for only 6 years. Within those 6 years I have seen the cost to live in this state explode, but the rate of pay stay where it’s been. The Insurance hikes are not the only problem. I was considering staying in Florida and buying a condo, but after looking into insurance, taxes, and the electric bills all going up, all at the same time, it was unrealistic.

It is getting to the point, where it’s not worth the price to pay for the wonderful weather, the beautiful beaches, and the great atmosphere. It’s not worth it anymore because I don’t even have the money after bills to enjoy anything other than the weather from my apartment.

In closing, it’s a bigger problem than people think, and just like most other problems, if it doesn’t effect everyone the problem doesn’t get taken care of. My family moved because it got too expensive to live here. I see my self doing the same.

Posted by  Barbara Craig, Lutz, FL (central Pasco county) on 07/19  at  01:08 AM

If only we could get State Farm to insure our home!  We have paid State Farm thousands of dollars over the years for coverage on our cars!  But State Farm won’t cover our home because it was built before 2003.  Another company won’t cover any homes over 10 years old.  Traveler’s insurance brought us the tennis tournament wrap-up on Channel 8, but they non-renewed our homeowners coverage this year.  Liberty Mutual advertises on TV here, but won’t cover our home.  We reinforced our garage door and are installing hurricane shutters; we have a new roof, central monitored alarm system and a whole-house lightning protection system.  We have never filed a claim for any sinkhole or wind damage. We are forced to go with Citizen’s as that is the only company that will cover us.  The original Citizen’s quote was $4300 but we got it down to $3700 by taking a $2500 deductible policy.  That’s our story - we have been abandoned.

Posted by  christopher parsons, holiday on 07/19  at  12:04 AM

In view of this increase, I am force into the streets.

My Mortgage was raised $114.00 to cover flood insurance.

My SSD is $887.00
Mortgage -$530.00
Home Ins.-$143.78 (monthly)
Electric -$180.00 (average)
Water -$35.00 (average)
Taxes -$93.00 (buget plan)

I am unable to beg for food, I’m on O2 24/7
They just put in new streets (Dodge City project) 1’018.00 (I can’t pay

At present I have COPD Stage 4, I am allowed to make 800 a month. AARP rejected me. I have ask 4 assistance
from all public resources all polititions REJECTED

Now to find a place in the woods.May God have mercy, and take me quick

Posted by  Nancy Ross, Lutz, FL on 07/18  at  11:29 PM

I am unable to get private insurance anywhere, I have been on waiting lists for over 2 years.  I am currently insured with Citizens.  My premium went up 100% last year and 100% the year before.  I now pay over $3,000 per year for my townhouse insurance. I am a widow trying to put a son through college and have a daughter in high school. I can no longer afford to pay this high premium.  If insurance companies won’t write homeowner’s insurance in Florida, maybe they should be prohibited from writing other more “profitable” policies here as well.  Although they have taken a hard hit in recent years, what about all the years they didn’t?  Our lawmakers need to spend more time on issues that affect our lives and our budgets instead of vote pandering, cushy, feel good issues like when kids should go back to school.

Posted by  Susan Hubbard, Tampa, FL on 07/18  at  08:28 PM

I don’t own a home anymore here - I rent because I can’t afford to buy with insurance being as high as it is.  I can’t imagine what y’all are going through.  However, I do not agree that all insurance companies should be forced to write homeowners if they write auto in this state.  That will only punish innocent people who don’t own a home but do own a car.  I don’t own a home because I can’t afford one...I don’t want to not be able to own a car either because I can’t afford one.  I am buying property in NC for about 1/4 what it is here and without the absolutely insane cost of homeowner’s.

Posted by  michael J Reddington, Apollo Beach,Fl on 07/18  at  04:57 PM

I think the state should make the stand: EITHER YOU WRITE IT ALL OR YOU DON’T WRITE ANYTHING AND YOU WON’T GOUGE THE PUBLIC EITHER....”...I think the Insurence Company’s make lot’s of profit even when disaster stikes....The entire state would have to be wipped out befor that would happen..

Posted by  r m gannaio, clearwater, florida on 07/18  at  01:23 PM

Where do insurance companys get off doing exactly what they want. Who’s responsible for giving them so much Power?
I don’t live in a mobile home nor do I live on the beach, I don’t even live in a flood zone so why did my insurance double???
Every small business in this country has to cover their own losses, why don’t the insurance companys? Every business has a risk factor.
Maybe top management should take the losses and lower their salaries for a start.  And charge the people who are more at risk than I am.

Posted by  Mr. Chuck Schroeder, St Petersburg on 07/18  at  11:03 AM

There’s no Officer’s on the roads trained for DRE “drug recognized enforcement.” These spot that a person is on something and knows what type of a drug it is, before the blood test comes back if it goes that far in a arrest. Federal funding is there for this, so to is State money, but when there’s only one officer doing it in 7 counties, it’s not enough. EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, on a city level, county level should be trained in this, that way it would bust more drivers “drug driving” as well as drunk driving to. Today if the officer does not smell beer, wine, booze on your breath or person, you walk to much, when they in reality were “drug driving”. This needs to stop to make it safer for us on the roads and highways. (the ideas should be about the future, address the needs of real people)

Posted by  Mr. Chuck Schroeder, St Petersburg on 07/18  at  11:02 AM

The “Idearaiser” is the brainchild of House Speaker Designate Marco Rubio, who is spearheading a program called “100 Innovative Ideas for Florida’s Future.” The only rules are that the ideas should be about the future, address the needs of real people and not expand the role of government. Marco Rubio, the West Miami-Dade Republican state legislator, is looking for a few good ideas. Rubio, who is slated to be the speaker of the Florida House of Representatives next year, is traveling the state, holding what he calls ‘’idea-raiser’’ meetings, and seeking the public’s views on how Florida ought to be run through a website sponsored by the Republican Party of Florida, http://www.100ideas.org