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Fitch Ratings calls Florida insurance market “fragile”
Florida’s insurance structure is creaky entering the 2009 hurricane season, Fitch Ratings reports in an analysis of the property market. “Absent help from the federal government, the (Florida Hurricane...
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Insurance bill favors big carriers, small insurers say
Small property insurers are urging Gov. Charlie Crist to veto a measure that critics say favors State Farm. In a letter today, the Florida Property & Casualty Association says House Bill 1171 would...
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Don’t panic, shop around, and other advice for State Farm policyholders
State Farm’s big rate hike has been rejected once again, and it looks as if Florida’s largest private insurer will move ahead with plans to drop 700,000 homeowners policies. However, state regulators...
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Hurricane hedges return, but should you buy one?
With a 25,000-square-foot house in Palm Beach, Ken Horowitz has paid his share of windstorm insurance premiums and repair bills. “Hurricanes were causing me more and more economic damage,” says...
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Florida’s $8.4 billion foreclosure take second highest in nation
Florida’s $8.4 billion share of a landmark foreclosure settlement announced Thursday is second only to California’s take, which is estimated to be about $18 billion. The deal with the nation’s five...
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Florida Senate requires “opt in” for surplus lines
In what consumer advocates hailed as a victory, the Florida Senate voted 21-18 today to require Citizens insurance customers to “opt in” before they are handed over to companies with unregulated rates....
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The odds of success in griping to Citizens
Does it help to complain to Citizens, the state’s last-resort property insurer? Depends on how you count. Nine of 102 complaints logged in Feburary by the Citizens consumer advocate were resolved in...
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15 best retirement hot spots, seven in Florida
The Sunshine State has nearly half of the 15 best retirement hot spots nationwide, but none are in Palm Beach County or Southeast Florida. RealtyTrac, a California-based company that measures...
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Sen. Bill Nelson files to delay flood bill he voted for
Sen. Bill Nelson on Tuesday filed an amendment to delay pending flood insurance increases as the brunt of the Biggert-Waters Flood Reform Act prepares to hit Florida on Oct. 1. The amendment would hold...
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Govt. shutdown pinches Fla. mortgage applications, but mostly business as usual
It’s not as bad as some in the real estate industry feared but the government shutdown is impacting homebuyers trying to get a loan. Kimber White, state government affairs chairman and legislative...
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