AP: Democrats call for changes in hurricane insurance

[ryban]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Insurance policyholders should have a dedicated representative arguing their case in front of state rate regulators, and companies shouldn't be allowed to drop longtime customers who haven't had claims, Democratic legislators said Tuesday.

Sen. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, said he would file legislation requiring that companies keep policyholders who haven't filed claims in five years. It also would create an official watchdog who would intervene on behalf of consumers in rate cases.

Klein also proposed eliminating an arbitration panel that decides some insurance rate filings and would require lower rates from Citizens Property Insurance, the state-created insurer for people who can't get private hurricane coverage.

Citizens was meant to be an insurer of last resort, only for those who live in areas where private insurance companies won't sell policies, and its rates are higher than the private market. But it has grown to one of the largest property insurers in the state and Klein argued its customers ought not now to have to pay higher rates.

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http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/apnews/stories/012505/D87RDN0G0.shtml

[Catherine Vincent]

1. The insurance companies will be lobbying hard to the Republican party.

Flood those politicians with money. Damn the people!

[jody]

2. I thought FEMA had a program like the Florida program. Are they the same?

see FEMA Hazards

[Mr.Green93]

3. No reconstruction

or new construction within ten thousand feet of the shoreline.

[jody]

4. I agree, I've walked pristine beaches and their beauty is breathtaking.n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. I believe in Florida, some of the over-building was an attempt to

keep people off beaches. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but at one time a person had public access to the water's edge all around Florida. But then a hostile interpretation of property rights changed all that. It coincided with the emergence to power of the Republican party.

[ynksnewyork2]

5. Sorry

Can't agree with that! We've got an oceanfront home in Daytona Beach and if you go to Key West , my family owns the oldest southenmost house where I grew up. The Daytona house got pummeled after 4 hurricanes but with insurance money and FEMA money, we've started to rebuild pretty much where we were. There's only so much oceanfront property and it's very, very valuable. Anyone that has homes built before 1970 is grandfathered in and rebuilds right where they were. I didn't buy this house, I inherited it from my grandparents who built when it was cheap to do so. You'd be amazed if you compare what they paid and what it's worth now.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. I thought that insurance companies were going to back off insuring

property along the coast?

[ynksnewyork2]

8. not where I am

(thank goodness!)

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. Certainly your premiums have skyrocketed as well as your

deductible?

[Mr.Green93]

9. Progressive inheritance law

would solve those problems.