Florida Voters Could Decide to Lower Home and Auto Insurance Rates
FORT MYERS, Fla. — A new poll in Florida indicates that home insurance rates are the foremost concern for consumers, surpassing even inflation and home prices. This has fueled a push for a constitutional amendment that would allow voters to take control of these costs.
The Amendment’s Provisions
The proposed amendment seeks to achieve several key goals. It would not only prevent further insurance rate hikes but also prevent companies from canceling existing policies.
Tom Shepard, a Lee County resident for 13 years, has seen his home insurance rates double during that time. He, like many homeowners, feels helpless in the face of these rising costs.
“I would encourage them to look at this very seriously,” Shepard said, referring to lawmakers.
Additionally, the amendment would mandate a 4% premium reduction for policyholders who have not filed any home or auto claims in the past year.
Contrasting Perspectives
While the amendment is popular among homeowners, the insurance industry has expressed strong opposition. Mark Friedlander of the Insurance Information Institute called the amendment “a terrible idea” and issued a warning about its potential impact on the market.
“Companies will not do business in Florida if they are forced to follow the rules of this amendment,” Friedlander stated.
Friedlander argues that the insurance landscape is improving, but many Florida homeowners are not experiencing those improvements.
“Florida is a very high-risk state. If you decide to live in Florida, particularly coastal counties, you should expect to pay more for your insurance than other areas of the country. It’s a fact of life,” he said.
Personal Impact
Joan Wurmbrand, a Sanibel Island resident, knows this reality firsthand.
“We’re looking at selling because frankly it’s more than we can afford,” Wurmbrand revealed.
Her home, one of thousands destroyed by Hurricane Ian, has seen her insurance rates soar.
“It was in the $20,000 a year range and then Hurricane Ian came and we had a significant amount of damage but our insurance was fantastic and covered everything and then went up to $30,000 the following year and this year it’s $40,000 a year,” she explained.
Citizen Action
Chris Wills, representing the Florida Constitutional Amendment Network, is spearheading the effort to empower voters to control rates.
“It’s urgent clearly that we the citizens need to take this matter into our own hands,” Wills said.
He urges homeowners to take action to address the continually increasing insurance rates.
For the amendment to become law, it will require a 60% approval from voters in 2026, coinciding with an election year that includes the election of a new governor and a U.S. Senator.
Those wishing to support the amendment can download a copy of the petition, print it, and mail it. For the constitutional amendment to pass, it will need 60% of voter approval in 2026.
