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- Moffitt Among Quarterfinalists For Lott Award
- Two Women Thrown From Boat When It Hits I-75 Bridge
- Judge Imposes Stay On Lethal Injections
- Poll: More Coastal Residents Would Not Evacuate For Hurricane
- Robbers In Ninja Garb Strike Hampton Inn
- Deputy Is Accused Of Domestic Battery
- 2 Men Burst Into Home, Steal More Than $7,000
- Temple Terrace Man Wounded In Shooting
- Polk Deputies Charge 17 Men After Weekend Cockfight
- Baby Dropped Off At Fire Station
- Jury Awards $21.1 Million In Wrongful Birth Case
- Deputies Investigate Bank Robbery
- Grandpa Robbed; Grandson Charged
- Composite Sketch Of Armed Carjacker Released
- Progress Village Homicide Victim ID’d
A bond sale this week more than doubled Citizens Property Insurance Co.’s reserves, giving Florida’s embattled insurer of last resort its own safety net.
Citizens sold more than $3 billion in bonds, meaning the company now has more money in reserve to pay future hurricane claims. But company officials say strengthening the reserves won’t necessarily stem the tide of rate increases for customers.
Multiple rate increases from Citizens this year have spawned a public backlash. The state-run insurer is struggling to keep up with mounting claims from the busy 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, and Florida homeowners - even those who don’t use Citizens - are paying the price.
Lawmakers decided at the last minute this spring to use more than $700 million of Florida’s budget surplus to offset Citizens deficit.
My insurance has gone from 600 a year to 2,000 in less than three years. I am now stuck on citizens because my home was built more than 50 years ago. No one else will write a policy even though I am in an non-flood, no evacuation zone, have hurricane windows throughout the house and a re-enforced garage door. If the insurance continues to go much higher, I will have to sell the house. Apparently there are very few places left to rent and rents are going sky high too because of the insurance. This is a big problem which none of the candiates for governor seem to be addressing and, of course, Jeb could care less because all he cares about are rich people.
I think all Floridians need to make this a major issue in this years governors election.
The GOVERNOR should STEP UP to the plate. Whether it be Jeb or the candidates to be.
This is a very important issue to be dealt with.
I have citizens and Im not happy.I did find a site that is fighting back,and a lot of people are joining. check out the site at www.hacfl.org
I have been “taken” by Citizens just like the rest of this state. But I still feel that what they are doing may not be illegal....but it sure is unethical. I agree with an editorial in this AM’s paper...if they are not going to write homeowners policies they should not be allowed to write auto insurance in this state.
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Posted by Deborah Stocker, St. Petersburg, Fl on 06/29 at 08:47 AM
I work for an insurance company, and let me say that that it’s not my fault that the premiums are so high. So PLEASE, next time you call your Insurance Company to complain about your high premiums… Please be nice to the person you are speaking too. We ALL have to pay. Thanks.