New Reforms, Old Problems: Florida’s Insurance Market Still on Shaky Ground
Florida’s home insurance market has always been unpredictable, but recent reforms meant to stabilize the system appear to be repeating history rather than rewriting it. With insurers exiting, premiums rising, and new companies stepping in with questionable backgrounds, many homeowners and real estate professionals are once again navigating a landscape filled with uncertainty.
The latest developments trace back to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s 2022 legislative package—described by some as a seasonal gift to the insurance industry. Similar efforts followed Hurricane Andrew decades ago, and just like then, the result has been a wave of small, lightly capitalized insurers entering a market still trembling under the weight of catastrophic risk.
In 2023, Florida began aggressively depopulating Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state’s insurer of last resort. Citizens is required to shift policyholders to private carriers if the premium difference is within 20 percent. For many Floridians, this meant being moved into newer, more costly policies with companies that often lacked long-term financial strength.
According to the Insurance Fairness Project, some private insurers now assuming Citizens policies have ties to previous insolvencies. One notable example is Viceroy Preferred Insurance Company, sharing board members with Monarch National—an insurer fined $325,000 for mishandling hurricane claims and linked to the now‑insolvent FedNat Insurance.
“Many of the same conditions that left homeowners exposed in the last crisis are being reproduced.” — Insurance Fairness Project
Checkered Pasts and Rating Gaps
While many new insurers have been approved to take on Citizens’ policies, several carry histories of claim denials or financial instability. Some, like Patriot Select (formerly Anchor Insurance), reentered the market after prior restructuring. Others, such as Apex, emerged from the remnants of insurers that failed in earlier decades.
Compounding the uncertainty is the influence of Demotech—Florida’s most widely used private ratings agency. Despite awarding many insurers “A” ratings, Demotech-rated companies have historically failed at much higher rates compared to major national agencies. Between 2017 and 2025, 17 insurers collapsed within a year of receiving top marks.
Homeowners Paying More for Less
New data from independent agency Weiss Ratings paints a troubling picture: 14 Florida insurers closed more than half of homeowner damage claims without payment in 2024. People’s Trust Insurance Company topped the list, denying an astonishing 75 percent of claims. Slide Insurance Company, another recent entrant, denied more than half—despite holding an “A” rating.
Slide’s leadership also raised eyebrows for multimillion-dollar executive payouts at a time when policyholders struggled. Their opulent lifestyle, including a 9,600-square-foot waterfront estate, has only intensified resentment.
Political Currents Beneath the Surface
Florida’s insurance industry has long been intertwined with state politics. Substantial donations from top executives to political committees and allegations of regulators softening findings on insurer profitability continue to raise questions about oversight and public protection.
Climate finance strategist Jordan Haedtler argues that fragmented oversight across various agencies only deepens the crisis. His team proposes consolidating insurance regulation, disaster recovery, land-use planning, and building codes into a single streamlined authority.
Calls for a True Overhaul
The Insurance Fairness Project asserts Florida must move “beyond cosmetic fixes.” Experts like Martin Weiss go further, suggesting the state may need to reconstruct its entire insurance system from scratch to restore stability and protect homeowners.
For real estate professionals, lenders, and homebuyers, insurance reforms—good or bad—shape the trajectory of Florida’s entire housing market. Understanding the shifting insurance landscape is now as essential as tracking inventory or interest rates.
That’s why institutions like Cameron Academy remain committed to helping professionals stay informed, licensed, and prepared. Whether you’re earning your first real estate certification or expanding your professional portfolio, staying educated is your strongest advantage in a rapidly 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!
At the 2025 Florida Chamber Insurance Summit, Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky announced that Florida’s long‑volatile insurance market has at last regained stability. After a decade marked by runaway litigation, inflated claims, and insurer exits, the sweeping tort and insurance reforms passed in 2022 and 2023 have reversed the decline. Litigation has fallen to pre‑2019 levels, new carriers and reinsurers are entering the state, and consumers now have more options than they’ve seen in years. Yaworsky cautioned, however, that rolling back these reforms would undo the progress and impose massive costs on Floridians.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in nearly every state, and in 2025 the consequences are more serious than most people realize. From fines and potential jail time to denied insurance claims and professional repercussions, even a simple lapse can create a ripple effect—especially for licensed professionals in real estate, insurance, mortgage, and finance. This quick morning read breaks down the real penalties, why professionals should pay attention, and how to renew your license before it becomes a costly mistake.
A new wave of chat‑based AI tools is reshaping how quickly real estate professionals can prepare and enhance listing photos. By simply describing changes—like brightening a kitchen, removing clutter, or fully staging a room—agents and property managers can produce high‑impact images in minutes. This technology not only speeds up market readiness but also boosts renter and buyer engagement by presenting spaces at their full potential from the very first glance.
The rental market is gearing up for major shifts in 2026, from rising compliance demands and surging insurance costs to the rapid adoption of AI‑powered property management tools. Tenants’ expectations are evolving just as quickly, pushing owners to deliver lifestyle‑driven communities rather than simple lease agreements. Investors and operators who embrace technology, stay ahead of regulatory changes and prioritize renter experience will be best positioned to thrive in the coming year.
Artificial intelligence is transforming real estate at lightning speed, turning days of manual work into minutes of automated insight. With the AI real estate market projected to soar from $222.65B in 2024 to over $975B by 2029, professionals who understand this technology now will lead the industry tomorrow. From smarter valuations to automated workflows and predictive analytics, AI is redefining how agents, investors, and property managers operate—making today the perfect time to embrace the tools shaping the future of real estate.
As AI takes over the repetitive tasks that slow agents down, industry expert Matt Britton says the future of real estate belongs to professionals who combine intelligent automation with irreplaceable human trust. Speaking to thousands at NAR NXT 2025, Britton emphasized that the next wave of success will come from agents who embrace AI workflows while doubling down on what technology can’t replicate: empathy, creativity, and meaningful client relationships.
