Florida’s Homeowners Face Soaring Insurance Premiums as Reform Efforts Heat Up
Florida homeowners are facing some of the highest insurance premiums in the nation, according to new findings highlighted by WPTV News Channel 5. With premiums averaging $5,838 per year—roughly $3,000 above the national average—many residents say the rising costs are pushing them to the brink.
‘Everything’s Tripled’ — Homeowners Sound Off
For West Palm Beach resident Jeff Heun, the numbers aren’t just statistics—they’ve reshaped his life. Once paying $3,400 for insurance, Heun told WPTV’s Joel Lopez that premiums have ballooned dramatically.
“Oh yeah, everything’s tripled,” Heun said. “I was gonna file a claim but I would have had my premiums doubled.”
Another resident shared that mandatory wind coverage and rising premiums are draining his household budget. He’d rather spend money upgrading windows and doors, but mortgage requirements force him to maintain costly coverage.
Interactive Insight
Hover, tap, or scroll through this box to absorb key points. Florida’s insurance landscape is shifting fast—professionals in real estate, insurance, and finance should stay prepared to answer clients’ toughest questions.
Some Floridians Opting Out Entirely
WPTV also spoke with a woman who hasn’t carried homeowners insurance in 25 years, choosing instead to set aside funds for emergencies. While risky, her situation highlights the difficult choices Floridians face: pay high premiums, dip into savings, or go uninsured.
Denied Claims and Delayed Help
In Loxahatchee, Bob and Pam Fix dealt with more than $40,000 in tornado damage. Their insurer initially offered just $4,500—later adjusted to $7,000—until a WPTV investigation by Kate Hussey helped secure the full amount needed for repairs.
Dr. Martin Weiss, founder of Weiss Ratings, warned that unless Florida reverses course, the crisis could accelerate. He and Florida Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith are pushing for stronger consumer protections and transparency between insurers and affiliated managing general agents.
“Floridians cannot afford to pay the highest property insurance premiums in the nation,” Smith said. He and fellow Democratic leaders are introducing multiple reform proposals—capping rate increases, removing taxes on impact-resistant upgrades, and more.
The Stakes for Florida Homeowners
Recent figures show:
Over 40% of claims in Florida are closed with no payment
Florida leads the nation in dropped renewals at 3.3%
Why This Matters for Real Estate Professionals
Insurance trends directly affect home affordability, buyer decisions, and long‑term market stability. If you’re building your career in Florida real estate—or expanding into roles like insurance, mortgage, or financial services—understanding these shifts gives you a competitive advantage.
For those pursuing or renewing their professional licenses, Cameron Academy offers the education and insight needed to stay ahead in a continuously evolving market.
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!
The average 30-year mortgage rate slipped to 6.18% just before Christmas, offering a small break from last year’s higher levels. Yet despite the improvement, mortgage applications for purchases and refinances have fallen to a three‑month low as buyers remain cautious. With mixed rate movements, fluctuating Treasury yields, and affordability challenges still weighing on first‑time buyers, the market is showing signs of stability but not momentum. Real estate professionals who stay informed on these shifting conditions will be best positioned to guide clients in 2026.
New CoStar data shows a widening split in the U.S. commercial real estate market, with high-value office towers, industrial hubs and major retail assets posting steady gains while smaller properties in secondary markets continue to lose ground. Premium assets logged their sixth straight monthly price increase in November, boosted by falling interest rates and limited new construction, while lower‑tier properties saw continued price declines and weakening demand.
Microsoft has eliminated long‑standing volume discounts on cloud services like Microsoft 365, Power BI, Intune and Defender, meaning healthcare organizations will soon pay the same price per seat whether they purchase 100 or 10,000 licenses. With the change taking effect at renewal, hospitals and health systems must begin auditing unused licenses, right‑sizing staff tiers, and re‑evaluating digital workflows to avoid major cost spikes. CDW is stepping in with advisory support, cost‑optimization tools, and flexible CSP options to help organizations navigate the transition before budgets tighten further.
America is still short nearly 2.8 million homes, and in 2026 the states driving the bulk of new construction are once again Florida and Texas. With the South producing more than half of all new building permits nationwide, these regions are shaping the future of inventory, affordability, and opportunity. For real estate, mortgage, insurance, and finance professionals, the surge in Southern homebuilding—especially in Florida—signals expanding career potential as new inventory enters the market and demand for licensed experts continues to rise.
A new Redfin report crowns Irondequoit, New York as the nation’s most competitive housing market, with homes selling in just 8.5 days and often above asking. Priced at a median of $249,132, the lakeside suburb is drawing buyers seeking affordability and speed. The surprising lineup of competing markets—from Bay Area tech hubs to Rust Belt metros—highlights a shifting post‑pandemic housing landscape where affordability pressures and regional disparities continue to shape buyer behavior.
Alaska has overhauled its Third Party Administrator licensing rules, eliminating major long‑standing exemptions and pulling many previously exempt organizations into full licensing requirements starting January 1, 2026. Under Senate Bill 132 and Bulletin B 25‑09, TPAs must now review their operations, prepare documentation, and monitor upcoming state guidance as Alaska moves toward stricter oversight and stronger consumer protection.
