Posted by  Maggy Graham, Clearwater on 06/19  at  07:01 PM

Anyone who says there is no inflation is feeding you a line. Our house insurance just went up $250 a month, and now we pay over $400 a month. That is twice as much as we pay for car insurance. We did get hurricane damage to our roof, but our deductible was $8000, so we had to pay out of pocket. It is the same as having no insurance. With the home insurance companies, it is all greed, all the time. And I say “home insurance,” because our car insurance company, Mercury, has been nothing but above board and helpful for many years.

Posted by  tina velasquez, port richey on 06/19  at  07:00 PM

We are all of you going to wake up- this is not a catch up on monies they didn’t charge-this is a-well we could build bigger hotels, casinos restaurants and tourist attractions. just by constantly pushing and pushing until the last person walks away from what they hard earned dollar bought they can and are trying to force the majority out of their homes. If the average joe can no longer pay his mortgage because the insurance payment is larger than the principal and interest-the bank will forclose and sell the property to a developer for the remainder of mortgage owed- hence- one homeowner and family on street, one back recouping foreclosure and a very happy developer that much closer to making a killing-wake up-push the people in power into a corner-make them give you answers- voices can be and will be heard- don’t let them push one more family out

Posted by  Marilyn Hernandez, Pasco County on 06/19  at  09:49 AM

aI found it interesting that someone said, “This is not California...” We moved here a year ago from California, and our insurance costs doubled. My auto insurance is $7300 per year, and my homeowner’s insurance + property taxes comes to around $9000 for a home a bit smaller and valued over $100k less than my home there. That amounts to the income of one person for many residents. When we came here, employers tried to get my husband to take a pay cut, “due to the lower cost of living.” Maybe several years ago, but no more…

Posted by  ROSEANN DONIA, Tampa on 06/16  at  02:49 PM

To respond to the allegations that insurance agents are “lazy” and write business with Citizens just to collect high commissions, this is not true. Agents legally cannot write business with the state unless there are no other companies available. They are extremely difficult and time consuming to process policies through as they are getting 50,000 a month. We bend over backwards to find other carriers, but with sinkholes, hurricanes and fraud, there just aren’t any. You can’t compare the risks here with someplace like Ohio, it’s apples and oranges. It is our state government that needs to come up with a plan to attract more companies, then the competition will bring the rates down.

Posted by  tina velasquez, port richey on 06/16  at  10:22 AM

Hey Marianne-I received that letter about 2 years and from what we saw this week- oh yeah they listen to our legislatures concerns-bush blew fasano’s bill right out of the water and in the same breathe initiated a surcharge for floridians.  Seems he is not to happy to see people forming groups in Florida against the insurance commission-Time to get all these butt-kissing politicians out of office and bring in real people who are for the people and not for their greddy pocketbooks- who knows looks like this administration is really set on helping developers and insurance companies wipe out the now floridians in hopes of building their future wealthy state-you watch they have an agenda that doesn’t include letting middle class florida in tact.

Posted by  Marianne Kern, Tierra Verde, FL on 06/16  at  08:03 AM

I wrote to Governor Jeb Bush.
Heres the response I got..

The Governor received your e-mail and asked me to respond on his behalf.  As you may know, insurance company regulatory matters are under the administrative authority of the Department of Financial Services. You may contact the Department of Financial Services’ consumer hot line at the numbers listed below.
Department of Financial Services
PL-11, The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0300
1-800-342-2762 (toll-free for in-state callers)
(850) 413-3132 (for out-of-state callers)

If you conclude that your situation requires changes in the law, you might consider contacting your local legislative delegation.  Your state representative and senator have the authority to sponsor legislation.  I can assure you that any legislation reaching Governor Bush’s desk that involves insurance matters receives his close attention.

Sincerely,
L. Wright
Aide to the Governor
Office of Citizens’ Services

Posted by  J. David, Temple Terrace area on 06/16  at  02:36 AM

Many writers here are from areas vunerable to risk factors that insurers are using as justification for their highway robbery. Proximity to Gulf (all of Pinellas). Flooding (most of Hillsborough, see interactive map on tbo.com Worst Case Scenario). Counties w/sinkhole problems. YOU need to know that there ARE sections of the Bay-area where insurance rates are still relatively reasonable ($1K for 1400/sq.ft. home <20 years old). 
One section is just east of the Hillsborough River & Temple Terrace w/higher elevation. I know this because we just renewed our insurance on our 3 homes there. We’re selling one of the homes, so IF you are interested in moving to a low-risk area, (high ground overlooking a wooded ravine) and getting a lovely home (in the $190’s) please email at and I’ll be happy to send info & photos.
I moved to FL in 1970. Think of the profits insurers collected all those years without storm damage. It should be criminal to pull out now!

Posted by  ROBERT THERRIEN, New Port Richey Fl 34654 on 06/15  at  06:15 PM

Homeowner’s and Auto insurance in Florida. The issue involves our
Premiums that went wild,loyal policyholders have been dropped, and the state has stepped in with Citizens Insurance. The crisis has forced some Floridians into choosing whether to put food on the table or insure their home and auto. This is not California,it’s Florida has many elders such as myself and when we have to pay these high rates it is to bad or were faced with many not insuring homes which our goverment should step in now instead of worrying about the people of other countries. Try to follow me with this senerio we move here to retire and enjoy life what’s left of it, I can say that because I have cancer and a extremely bad heart. We get Taxed as bad as some states but they don’t seem to have the insurance problem Florida has, They Jump taxes here in Pasco county making in hard on all so between Taxes, Insurance and Auto Insurance so people are forced to sell.

Posted by  John Watson, Brooksville on 06/15  at  04:46 PM

I basicly agree with all that has been said.  Would like to point out two other things that I think are, in my opinion, contributing to the high cost.  One, Citizens by law has to have the highest in the state; so, the other companies move their premiums up to just under Citizens.  Not fair and not competitive.  Second, lazy insurance agents, because it is just easier to throw everything to Citizens if it is not a pristine risk.  Agents are supposed to be able to shop for the best rates for their customers and have access to companies other companies, but, no it is easier to send it to Citizens and collect a higher commission.  Insist they shop for the best rate or get another agent who will.  Agents and insurance companies have no loyalty to you.  You shouldn’t to them.

Posted by  Carol Howard, spring hill, Fla on 06/15  at  04:44 PM

To the gentleman who says not to blame the governor for this:  Citizens is a ‘STATE RUN INSUROR”. Is not the governor basically in charge of state run entities?? Also, I believe the governor and fla. dept. of ins. has the right to tell companies like state farm, allstate, etc. that they MUST write homeowner if they want to write other lines of ins.  He hasn’t exercised this power, either. As for Tina, who wants to only cover the amount of her mortgage-SO DO I-Citizens says you MUST insure for full replacement cost of your home,tho no one can tell me WHY, except to say “The reason they do this is because they can’ and ‘because there is no law against it’” (per fla. dept. of finance)-Then they say they want to reduce exposure!! Tho this is anything but funny, I fully agree with the letter writer who said to write to Lettermen and Leno of the chaos going on down here-the Comics in Tallahassee don’t seem to care, and we need the national exposure.

Posted by  Marian Dandridge, 12151 Dry Creek Ranch Road, Brooksville, FL 34614 on 06/15  at  02:19 PM

I am a strong supported of Jeb Bush but have to admit that he has really screwed the state of Florida on this one.  Do I think another governor would have done a better job?  NO!!!!!  They all roll over and play dead for the insurance companies.  When I could not afford the whole policy for Citizens, $2,400 for a 1,200 square foot home, my mortgage company threatened to provide me with fire coverage for $6,000+ a year.  I have not been able to sell because the insurance hikes up the payment so much.  I had no damage during either year but that doesn’t seem to matter.  For some reason older is not as good.  I was born in Tampa, in a frame home that is now 65 years old and still standing.  I, too, think that Montana looks mighty good.  Let the tourists have Florida!!!!

Posted by  tina velasquez, port richey on 06/15  at  12:41 PM

The governor is getting partial blame because he let the insurance companies leave with their cerry picking attitude. The rule should be is your are in all the way or no way.  Their profits from other states and other avenues of insurance should well balance out their losses- plus if there are multiple companies sharing in the loss there are also multiple companies sharing the profit- hence a better adjusted premuim. now does any one know if there is a possibility of just getting insurance for say fire or just hurricane or just the mortgage amount through citizens-maybe citizens needs to offer just what people want plus mortgage and nothing else.

Posted by  ANNA DAVIS, spring hill 34609 on 06/15  at  12:34 PM

My name is Anna Davis. I came to Florida for a better life 4 years ago for my family. I have 2 toddlers and a teenager, plus myself and my husband. We live in a small house of less than 1800 square feet that we bought for 87,000. We deal with the close quarters so I can give my children things they need and so I can stay home with them. My husband works 60 plus hours also to do this. This is no longer an option. My insurance has gone from the rate of 1800 to the insane rate of 3897 dollars. Not to sound like a big baby but I cant stop crying my eyes out!  We cant afford this! Are we going to lose our house? Is my family going to be homeless? Does anyone care? What are we going to do?

Posted by  Jim Parker, Tampa on 06/15  at  12:15 PM

I’m discouraged over the homeowners insurance issue as well, but don’t understand the number of posts I read from people who blame the governor for it.  I lost my homeowners and the insurer has basically said they’d rather not do business in Florida than lose money. 

Duh! 

Who would?

Now all I can get on my house is a policy that I pay for that basically covers my mortage company’s risk.  It pays off the balance on the home but gives me nothing for my losses or equity.  Premium is what I paid before.

Posted by  Edward Frederick, Tampa (Seminole Heights) on 06/15  at  11:56 AM

We own a house Seminole Heights.  We received a cancellation notice from the company stating that our house was too old to insure. Searching for a new company led us to a number of leads. The only problem was that we could not get any of the national “chains” to make available a policy to local agents.  After 3 months, we settled for Citizens. An insurance company of last resort. Which means that no one else will insure you. We live in a historic area, in a historic house, and the state wants people to move into these areas.  Here’s the problem. Once you start paying your premiums, you can’t afford to fix anything.
My solution? Penalize the companies that won’t insure the people in Florida. If Citizens is the last chance, then they should offer less expensive policies. You should be able to, with 3 or 4 letters of denial from other companies, receive an affordable policy from Citzens. Have the companies that won’t insure people make up the difference.

Posted by  Scott Jackson, Ocala on 06/15  at  09:20 AM

I just wanted to share a story that sorta goes along with this topic. My dad was 59 years old at time of hurricane francic.He had a tree that split in half,The half that was still standing was leaned slightly over neighbors house who had kids.My day was worried about the kids safty.So he hired a tree company to cut down tree.They charged him $12,000 to drop tree.Not to cut down and remove but to drop the tree.Insurance wouldnt help,The great Jeb Bush,Charlie Crist or Charles Bronson wouldnt help.After gettin on TV and saying price gouging wont be tolerated!This same guy has since committed fraud on 2 different senior cizizens for over a $100,000 and it seams noone cares.

Posted by  C J Mallien, St Petersburg, FL on 06/14  at  10:53 PM

Re:  Insurance Mafia in New Florida and how to throw the thugs over:

Call, email and write-in your “Vote Out” of each and every “American Idle” in Florida government. The “Vote In” those who promise to pass legislation mentioned in http://www.hacfl.org (this requires actual reading on your part).

Instead of drowning in our usual horror, let’s fuel the flames and smoke the thugs out.  Write a joke about it to Jay Leno and David Letterman.  Video record your insurance policy and premium and record a conversation with your insurance agent, send it in to Extreme Makeover show and ask them to makeover your home ... insurance.  Email Oprah and share your “light bulb” moment about your insurance and how it changed your life.
The only group I know more powerful than the lobbyists are our endearing TV personalities.  Sad, but true.
CJ

Posted by  Inez Verhagen, St Petersburg, FL on 06/14  at  03:47 PM

I don’t think I’ve ever been this angry.  My insurance premiums have gone up 250%.  I bought my home thinking I could retire here, and now my mortgage payments have doubled.  My income has not doubled in two years.  It is not my responsibility to pay insurance claims for insurance companies.  It is their business.  I never have had a claim, ever.  But I have paid premiums for years. Where is my representation in Tallahassee?  Our leaders have totally allowed big business to control our money and our rights.  It is crystal clear that our politians don’t care about working people.  We don’t have anyone looking out for consumers’ best interest.  This is a dire, pathetic situation.

Posted by  William H. Murphy, Zephyrhills Fl. on 06/14  at  01:31 PM

I told my story as have all the others to you, now what will you as a paper do or as the one printing them what will you do to help. We all need help to change the way insurance does business it time for help so please help us. stop printing start helping.

Posted by  James N. Santoro, Spring Hill on 06/14  at  01:17 PM

I moved my family to Spring Hill form Ohio five years ago due to my division closing down and we have family here. In november we started the process of having a new house built in the Royal Highlands. It’s got all the latest upgrades and is built to up to date hurricane codes...but...I will probibally not be able to take delivery because I can’t find anyone to insure it and Citizens prices will make it impossable to make the payments. I guess I’ll be trying Tennesse next…

Posted by  James Reeves, New Port Richey, Florida on 06/14  at  12:02 PM

I am very angry with our state government. We have seen our Citizens homeowners insurance costs rise more than 300% in the past 3 years. This is in spite of the fact that our area has had no direct impact from hurricanes during this period and I have personally had no claims since
the 1993 no-name storm. It has become impossible to find insurers aside from Citizens, so although there is no competition in our market the state continues to raise premiums to the point that we may be unable to continue to afford living here. Why are our legislators rolling over for
the insurance companies at the expense of Florida taxpayers? If the state is willing to re-insure the big insurers with our tax dollars, why are we unable to purchase insurance from them? Is it in the best interests of Florida to drive homeowners out of their homes? Something must be done NOW or it will be too late for many of us.

Posted by  Donald D. Fithian, Jr., MacDill AFB, FL on 06/14  at  11:32 AM

My wife Pam and I own a home at 865 Loggerhead Lane, Summerland Key, FL 33042 when Hurricane Wilma came ashore.  We also own a home here in Tampa which is where she evacuates too in a storm.  We had a six foot storm surge of salt water which turned our pool into a saltwater pond with fish.  We have an 8 x 8 foot spa which was pushed up against the back steps.  All the downstairs electric had to be replaced.  Our frontyard was no match for the saltwater and we had to install five pallets of new sod.  We lost about eight tabs of shingles on the south crown of our roof.  Fortunately, we are insured through USAA which offset the cost of all repairs.

Posted by  Laura Bemis, Tampa, Fla. on 06/14  at  11:13 AM

It’s criminal what the insurance companies are allowed to do in the State of Florida. What is our Insurance Commissioners office doing to protect the consumers? Not only did our homeowner’s insurance double from $867 to $1773 for the year on a house that was built in 1962 and is like an above ground bomb shelter, then you have companies that just pull out on you. It’s not only homeowner’s insurance that needs to be investigated.

Recently my father passed away at the age of 77. He was an above the knee right leg amputee fron a Railroad accident since 1960. Yet Hartford Insurance sold him an Accidental Death and Dismemberment policy, charging my father $35 a month for 2 years. The advertising laws have to change and we need to protect our edlerly from this type of insurance fraud as well.

Posted by  walt braunle, 34446 on 06/13  at  09:07 PM

Here is a way to teach the insurance companys a little lesson. If any insurance companys in the state of Florida drops customers, then they should be kicked out of the state, because a lot of these companys insure cars, and if they lose the right to practice in Florida, they will change thier attitudes real fast. So come on goverment help us, we need it. They want the cream, but not the milk. Come on Jeb, help us, not like your brother.

Posted by  madeline myers, Pinellas Park, Florida 33782 on 06/13  at  04:49 PM

i have to agree with the other people who wrote in comments about homeowners insurance.  I have lived in Florida for thirty years.  I am a senior citizen and I have to agree the cost of living and homeowners insurance are going up where people cannot afford to live here.  It seems like everyone is out to take away your money and leave you penniless.  My home owners insurance went up like everybody else.  What did the insurance companies do in prior years before 2004 and 2005 with the preminums they collected?  How do they (the insurance companies) expect people to come up with this money?  Florida better start coming up with better answers for everyone and not just the wealthy.