For Floridians, property insurance has shifted from a routine expense into a defining force shaping homeownership, business stability, and the state’s economic outlook. Yet despite skyrocketing costs and widespread consumer struggles, some legislative leaders indicate they may not address the crisis this session — a stance many residents see as unacceptable.
According to the Orlando Sentinel’s Editorial Board, that inaction is wildly out of touch with the reality Floridians face daily. Florida now holds the unwelcome title of most expensive state in the nation for property insurance — with rates averaging nearly three times the national cost.
Premiums Up, Coverage Down, and Consumer Rights Shrinking
Premiums exceeding $10,000 per year are becoming disturbingly common, even for modest homes in coastal counties. Worse, homeowners are paying more for less coverage, facing higher deductibles, and confronting increasingly restrictive claims processes.
In 2024, hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton ravaged parts of Florida — yet insurers closed 47% of homeowner claims with no payout. Nearly half.
And appeals? Not much better. Over 90% of claim denial appeals are rejected, a sharp consequence of recent reforms that removed insurers’ obligation to cover attorney fees even when they’re found liable.
The system isn’t just strained — it’s stacked. And the Sentinel argues it’s stacked exactly as intended.
The Laws That Were Supposed to “Fix” the Problem
Lawmakers passed major industry-friendly reforms in 2021 and 2022, promising stability and lower premiums. Instead, rates continue to climb, while consumers have fewer protections and fewer paths to challenge unfair decisions.
Yet Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and other leaders insist the laws “need more time to work.” For Floridians facing displacement, financial strain, or foreclosure, that call for patience is becoming harder to accept.
There Are Solutions — They’re Just Not Moving
Two bills that could offer real relief haven’t even been assigned to committees:
SB 128 by Sen. LaVon Bracy-Davis — allows property owners to use a qualified inspector before insurers deny a roof claim.
SB 320 by Sen. Carlos Guillermo-Smith — requires insurers to disclose financial data used to justify rate hikes.
Neither bill has advanced. Without hearings or debate, most homeowners never realize how much their struggles are shaped not only by insurers, but by the laws that govern them.
Real Estate Professionals Feel the Shockwaves
For real estate agents, brokers, and investors, the insurance crisis is far from abstract. Deals collapse when buyers receive shocking premium quotes. Sellers lose value as insurance availability becomes a neighborhood stress test. Coastal listings stall or disappear entirely.
At Cameron Academy, we hear these stories every day from Florida real estate professionals. Clients are overwhelmed, confused, and often discouraged. Today, understanding property insurance is as essential as understanding contracts, ethics, or appraisals — which is exactly why we continue to integrate real-world market challenges into our licensing and continuing education courses.
Time for Lawmakers to Step Up
As the Sentinel’s editorial board argues, leadership requires prioritizing what genuinely matters. While lawmakers push forward bills on unrelated cultural issues and development agendas, millions of Floridians watch their homeownership dreams erode under unmanageable premiums and evaporating coverage.
This is more than a policy debate — it’s a full-scale crisis. For many families, it’s the difference between staying in their homes and walking away forever.
The Orlando Sentinel’s Editorial Board — Krys Fluker, Roger Simmons, and Jay Reddick — offers a powerful call for legislative action. You can read their full editorial at the source linked above.
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!
Commercial real estate is entering a decade of major transformation driven by interest rate pressures, evolving work culture, rapid proptech innovation, and growing demand for AI-focused infrastructure. While the global CRE market is projected to reach $133.5 trillion by 2028, rising rates, shifting office demand, and increasing sustainability requirements are reshaping how professionals invest, manage, and develop properties. By 2030, the biggest opportunities will center on mixed‑use conversions, data center growth, premium office spaces, and ESG‑driven upgrades.
The National Association of Realtors’ landmark antitrust settlement is transforming how real estate agents negotiate compensation, work with buyers, and handle transparency in transactions. With MLS‑posted buyer‑broker commissions eliminated and written buyer agreements now required, both consumers and professionals are navigating a new, more transparent landscape. While commission levels have only dipped slightly, the real shift is in how openly compensation is discussed and negotiated—creating new challenges and opportunities for agents who adapt quickly.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a novelty in real estate — 2025 marks its breakthrough year as a dependable pillar of the proptech industry. With investors pouring capital into AI‑powered forecasting, security, automation, and property management tools, the sector is shifting from experimentation to full‑scale adoption. Brokerages, developers, and institutional players now rely on AI to streamline due diligence, enhance market modeling, reduce risk, and optimize building operations. As adoption accelerates, professionals who understand and leverage these technologies are gaining a decisive competitive edge in fast‑moving markets like Florida.
A new episode of Current Account breaks down why the insurance industry is heading into 2026 with more uncertainty — and more opportunity — than ever. From shifting global regulations and rising catastrophe risks to FSOC’s evolving role in the U.S., industry leaders Jérôme Haegeli and Philippe Brahin explain how insurers are being pushed to rethink strategy in real time. With global premium growth expected to slow and regulatory pressures rising, professionals in insurance and financial services are turning to education and new skills to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market.
New Jersey is quietly becoming one of the hottest commercial real estate markets in the nation, with Jersey City and North Jersey breaking into the top 10 in PwC’s 2026 Emerging Trends report. Fueled by redevelopment momentum, data‑center demand, mixed‑use transformations and a surge in health‑care projects, the state is drawing major investors while still battling rising construction costs and municipal fatigue. For real estate professionals, the Garden State’s evolution signals fresh opportunity—and a market worth watching closely heading into 2026.
The National Council of Insurance Legislators is pushing back against President Trump’s new executive order on artificial intelligence, arguing that it threatens decades of state‑based insurance oversight. NCOIL leaders say federal attempts to centralize AI authority could disrupt markets, weaken consumer protections, and limit states’ ability to innovate—setting the stage for a significant legal and political battle with major implications for insurance professionals who rely on AI‑driven tools and regulatory clarity.
