The Florida Cabinet voted this week to end the assessment, a 1.3 percent surcharge on policyholders, that was initiated in 2008 and had been expected to continue until 2016. State law requires an assessment whenever the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) does not have enough cash to pay insurers for the losses they incur. The surcharge, called the “hurricane tax” by some, is used to fund revenue bonds to pay […]
Florida huricane insurance
10 Ways to Protect Your Home Against Hurricane Damage
Hurricane season has begun, but you can still take steps to minimize the risk of damage to your home if a named storm swoops down on Central Florida this year. Here are 10 ways you can beef up your home’s protection before a hurricane approaches – don’t wait until a storm is on its way!
How Credit Scores Affect Insurance Rates
Back in the good old days insurance rates were determined by the driver’s age, sex, driving record and the type of car. At that time you paid for homeowners insurance based on the type of construction and you got a big discount if you lived within three miles of a fire station.
Can you Afford to Rebulid After a Hurricane?
Every year, hurricanes cause millions of dollars worth of damage to Florida homes and businesses. Hurricane insurance can be complicated, and laws about it have changed several times during the past few years. The important question to ask yourself is, “if a hurricane wallops my area, can I afford to rebuild my home?” For most of us, that answer is “no,” so we need to be sure our hurricane insurance […]
What is Flood Insurance and Do I Need It?
Many Florida homeowners are confused about flood insurance, and for good reason. In insurance terms, “A flood is an excess of water (or mud) on land that is normally dry” according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners: The NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) is even more specific. “A flood is a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres or normally dry land […]
Eight Questions to Ask Your Agent About Hurricane Insurance
Hurricane season in Florida began June 1. Are you ready? No, I’m not asking about your hurricane kit or family evacuation plan, although you should have both in place. I’m asking about your family’s biggest asset, your home. Are you covered for hurricane-related damage to your property? If a hurricane happens to you, will your existing insurance cover it?