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Article
Courtesy of Channel 12 News CBS
By
Victoria De Cardenas
Published October 30, 2023
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WATCH VIDEO |
LOXAHATCHEE — In less than two weeks, Florida lawmakers
will be in Tallahassee for a special session.
It’s expected to last three days next month and it will cover topics like
hurricane relief aid and lowering the costs of homeowners insurance.
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Maria Caballero is one
of hundreds of homeowners who’s been hit with increased
homeowner insurance premiums – and she hopes lawmakers will
take the time to discuss the insurance crisis during the
special session in November.
The session is expected to last three days in November and
will cover several topics including lowering the cost of
homeowners insurance.
Caballero applauds the efforts made so far to make property
insurance more affordable but says it’s just not enough.
Since purchasing her home three years ago, her insurance has
gone up to $7,000 from $4,000. |
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“You’re really trusting that the insurance company is
doing what is right. Yet, for me personally, they’re not,” said Caballero.
She’s not alone.
Public adjuster Nicolas Canino told CBS12 News some of his clients are
paying out of pocket for home repairs because some insurance companies are
refusing to do so.
“They’re definitely worrying every time they file a claim their premium is
going to go up and that’s something that we have no control over. That’s up
to the insurance companies but it’s definitely a fear of every homeowner,”
said Canino.
Earlier this year, Florida lawmakers voted out a century-old policy looking
to restore the balance of power when it comes to legal fees and property
insurance claims.
Homeowners like Caballero say something else needs to be done – but Florida
State Representative Randy Fine says Floridians need to have patience.
“Your insurance rates are based on your historical costs. Now we’ve done
some things to change them going forward and we need to let that go into
effect. The problem was built up over time, it can’t go away immediately,”
said Rep. Fine.
Things are looking up, according to Fine, a least five new private insurance
companies are coming to Florida.
“We’re trying to create a more robust market and we’re definitely moving in
the right direction whether we’re moving fast enough, whether there’s more
that we can do those are fair questions to ask,” said Fine.
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