Florida Homeowners Are Still Waiting for Insurance Relief — And Some Are Ready to Leave
For more than a year, Floridians have been promised that homeowners’ insurance relief is coming — but for thousands of residents, the opposite seems true. Premiums continue creeping upward, pushing long‑time homeowners to question whether they can afford to stay in the state they love.
WPTV News Channel 5 has been closely tracking Florida’s shifting insurance market. And while state leaders insist improvements are underway, many homeowners say their lived reality tells a very different story. Explore the full report at WPTV News Channel 5.
A Homeowner’s Breaking Point
In Coral Springs, longtime homeowner Lisa Riggi has reached the point of frustration. After seeing a WPTV story claiming insurance conditions were improving statewide, she reached out to share her experience — and it wasn’t good news.
“The year prior, it went up 30%, and then this year I don’t know the percentage, but it went up another $170.”
Riggi has owned her home for 26 years. Yet despite claims of statewide stabilization, her premiums have continued to rise year after year.
If Rates Are Going Down, Why Are Premiums Going Up?
Executives at major insurance groups — including Windward Risk Managers, which oversees Florida Peninsula, Edison, and Ovation — say they’ve actually filed rate decreases or held steady for several years.
But decreasing rates don’t automatically mean decreasing premiums.
As the market shifts, property values rise, and inflation affects materials and labor, the amount needed to insure a home increases. That means even with a lower “rate,” the total premium may still climb.
Tap to Explore: Why Premiums Rise Even When Rates Fall
• Higher property valuations
• Inflation in construction materials
• Updated replacement‑cost calculations
• Expanded coverage requirements
This is often confusing for homeowners — and it’s why many Floridians feel they aren’t seeing the relief they were promised.
State Leaders Say the Market Is Strengthening
Florida’s insurance commissioner, Michael Yaworsky, insists the state is experiencing its strongest insurance market in more than a decade. Lawsuits have dropped dramatically, 17 new companies have entered the market, and elected officials cite renewed confidence among insurers.
“We are the strongest from a solvency‑capitalization perspective that we’ve been in well over a decade,” Yaworsky told WPTV.
But that’s cold comfort to homeowners like Riggi, who feel the financial pressure more intensely each renewal cycle.
“We’re Looking at Moving”
For some families, rising premiums have pushed them toward life‑changing decisions.
“We’re not sure if we’ll stay in state or out of state, but we’re looking at moving; it’s not affordable for us to stay here anymore.”
State leaders hope a quiet 2025 hurricane season will bring additional relief in 2026 — but homeowners are asking whether they can afford to wait that long.
Why This Matters for Real Estate and Insurance Professionals
Insurance premiums don’t just affect homeowners — they directly impact real estate professionals, mortgage lenders, appraisers, and insurance agents. Understanding these shifts is essential as clients increasingly request guidance on affordability, relocation, and long‑term planning.
At Cameron Academy, we keep aspiring and seasoned professionals informed about evolving market forces while helping them earn or upgrade licenses in real estate, mortgage, insurance, and more. When markets change, knowledge becomes your most valuable asset.
For more insights like this — and to explore licensing programs across Florida and all 50 states — visit Cameron Academy.
More Articles
Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!
Los Alamitos Race Course is facing its most serious crisis in years after 18 horses died in 2025, prompting regulators to warn the track that its racing license is at risk without immediate safety reforms. Following three catastrophic injuries in a single day, the California Horse Racing Board has ordered urgent changes—including more veterinarians, stricter medication rules, and enhanced on‑track medical support—as pressure mounts for stronger oversight in a sport already under national scrutiny.
Canadian investors have poured more than US$5.8 billion into U.S. commercial real estate this year, making the U.S. their top destination even amid a lingering tariff dispute. Tight inventory in Canada and greater deal availability south of the border are driving the trend, with data centers and industrial properties emerging as the hottest targets for 2025.
Florida’s insurance commissioner says even industry pros struggle to read today’s 150‑page homeowners policies—leaving residents shocked when hurricane claims are denied. With rising premiums, high replacement costs, and widespread confusion over exclusions like flood and water damage, the state is pushing for simpler, clearer policy language so homeowners know what they’re actually covered for before the next storm hits.
Following the 2025 elections, major metros like New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, and Boston are implementing policy shifts that could reshape property values, rental income, development timelines, and investment strategy heading into 2026. From New York’s push toward aggressive rent reform to Chicago’s sustainability mandates and Miami’s uncertain mayoral runoff, these changes signal a new era where local politics increasingly dictate market performance. This breakdown highlights the biggest post‑election real estate pivots and what they mean for investors, agents, and finance professionals preparing for a rapidly evolving landscape.
Florida’s Insurance Commissioner is sounding the alarm after thousands of homeowners discovered—only after hurricanes Helene and Milton—that the coverage they thought they had didn’t exist. With nearly 150,000 unpaid claims tied to misunderstood flood exclusions, water‑damage caps, and buried policy clauses, state leaders are pushing to simplify the dense, confusing documents most Floridians never read. As insurance costs remain one of the state’s top concerns, this growing complexity is creating a massive opportunity for real estate, mortgage, and insurance professionals to guide consumers before disaster strikes.
Florida’s insurance market is reliving an old crisis under a new name. Despite reforms meant to stabilize the system, homeowners are being forced out of Citizens and into pricier policies from small insurers with shaky financial histories. Companies tied to past insolvencies are returning with fresh branding, while highly rated carriers continue to deny a majority of claims. With political influence muddying regulation and climate risks rising, experts warn that only a full structural overhaul—not cosmetic reforms—can restore confidence for homeowners, agents, and the entire real estate market.
