Florida Residents Could Face Additional Insurance Surcharge

Florida residents could soon be faced with increased surcharges on their home, auto and other insurance policies because the state's catastrophe fund needs more money to pay claims from past hurricanes.

[jaxcat]

The little people are still paying for the big cats (AKA Republicans) in Florida.

[Wizard]

The Gov. is going to Tax us right out of the state if they keep this up..Already pay too much in property and car insurance taxes now as it is.

[stoney]

Florida is the punching bag for these scoundrels. We should Clean House, And elect (another out of touch scumbag) to take over where the previous scumbag left off. Mismanagement, it's the Tallahassee 2 step. Yee Haw

[scott1]

if insurance companies cannot cover the cost of the risk they take when writing policies then they either need to scale back their size or stop doing business...whats the point of having insurance if they cant pay off any claims....they insure the property..make them find a way to cover it. once again, big brother stepping in and taking from the average man..

[Kims Thoughts]

I would certainly hope that if a surcharge is added, that the folks not being damaged would not be included in that increase. Jacksonville is a bit more fortunate, not to have so many direct hits, so I feel we should not pay as much as say those folks in Miami, Tampa and the panhandle.

[B-man]

jaxcat wrote:

The little people are still paying for the big cats (AKA Republicans) in Florida.

There are just as many big cats (AKA Democrats) as Republicans. It's a total cop-out to blame everything on the Republican party. The REAL way things happen in our government is this: the House and Senate make the decisions. The President is an increasingly puppet position. It's the same thing at the state level with the Governor. If you want to talk about the "big cats" in Florida, most of them happen to be the Democrats that invaded Florida ( in particular, South Florida )when they moved here after they retired. Fortunately, a lot of these Democrat "transplants" are leaving for greener pastures. Who can we blame then? I know ... how about all the illegal mexicans who the Republicans allow to vote and then they vote Democrat. I can't wait to blame all those illegal big cats .....

[jaxcat]

The House and Senate of Florida as well as the executive branch are controlled by Republicans. The supposed reduction in property taxes was a gift to those who are Republican supporters. It surely wasn't done for impecunious Democrats. It reduces property taxes on upscale houses and second home thereby forcing local governments to make up the tax losses with "fees and activities". Did you not notice the fees/taxes on your electric bill? The recent garbage and stormwater bills received by mail is another example. This type of taxation is regressive for it falls hardest on those of modest means. Same is true with the tax breaks for the rich given by the federal government controlled again by Republicans. That tax loss then creates the current deficit and makes the rest of the tax structure regressive. If falls on those of modest means. Maybe that is not you but it certainly is me and most Americans.
The state's insurance fund primarily helps home owners in vulnerable areas the insurance companies won't insure/touch with a ten foot poll. Those are primarily the coastal houses which the rest of us are subsidizing with extra charges on our own insurance bills.

[Tim]

Insurance companies claim that they base their rates on YOUR RISK, another LIE, but risk doesn't matter. They base their rates on how much money is paid out in YOUR STATE.

I'm retired and cannot keep up with these rising insurance rates. Between homeowners and auto rates, I'm paying about $2,000 per year more than I was paying a few years ago, yet I have submitted no claims.

My wife and I are seriously considering selling our home of 31 years and moving north. Not our first choice, but one we can afford.

[Good]

No, NO, NO!

[Jet]

they need to go backto FEMA, since they gave money away , didnt look to make sure funds where needed for that person, they just gave it away to the UN NEEDY

[Oh my]

Tim wrote:

Insurance companies claim that they base their rates on YOUR RISK, another LIE, but risk doesn't matter. They base their rates on how much money is paid out in YOUR STATE.
I'm retired and cannot keep up with these rising insurance rates. Between homeowners and auto rates, I'm paying about $2,000 per year more than I was paying a few years ago, yet I have submitted no claims.
My wife and I are seriously considering selling our home of 31 years and moving north. Not our first choice, but one we can afford.

Same here. If they really based my rates on the claims I have filed or even the homes that have been damaged in my area by storms I should have a deduction in my rate.

There isn't much that could make me move north, though.

[Karen]

We can complain and we have every right to complain, but nothing will be done, until all the money is drained out of the middle class and what I call the upper poorer class. I fall into the latter category, I make just a bit too much money have an excellent credit rating but can't get any help w/ college(returning after 30yrs)can't get help w/ refinancing my house I am hurting,and now more insurance payments! I'm afraid in no time at all I will lose my house because of this ( on a fixed income) It's a shame that all the burden is falling on a small group of people, and we know the upper class is saying glad it's not us. Shame on this country and this state!!!