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BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...

28 Sep 22 - 08:17 AM (#4154034)
Subject: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
From: Donuel

The 35 Billion dollars in damages hurricane Ian is the first mostly uninsured storm, at least for homeowners. https://www.wesh.com/article/florida-insurance-bankruptcy/40044775#
It is likely to be more expensive than when cat 5 Andrew hit Florida.
Republican politicians were lobbied by insurance companies so naturally nothing was done to push back against the exodus of Insurance companies.
They are counting on Federal money to deal with Florida disasters.
Finding high ground in Florida or hurricane insurance is a fool's errand.
I wonder if Mara Lago has storm insurance? I don't live in FL so I don't know the opinions of Floridians on the ground.

28 Sep 22 - 08:49 AM (#4154036)
Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
From: gillymor

Chrissake, people are just trying to survive this thing down here, at least wait until the storm passes before you a launch into one of your half-assed political rants.

28 Sep 22 - 10:40 AM (#4154044)
Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
From: Donuel

That was the opinion of a Floridian on the ground.

28 Sep 22 - 12:02 PM (#4154052)
Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
From: Stilly River Sage

So you can't think ahead 24 hours, gillymor? This shit is going to hit the federal fan pretty quickly.

If this had hit when Trump was in office he'd be paying attention because he has real estate down there. He couldn't care less about anyplace he has no investments. Look at Puerto Rico.

28 Sep 22 - 12:29 PM (#4154060)
Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
From: Steve Shaw

That link is forbidden here. What are we saying here: insurance isn't available, insurance is too expensive, people don't bother with it...?

If you buy a house here that is in an area with historic flooding, your insurance will be very expensive, restricted in some way or very difficult to get. My house can't flood. Of course, it can burn or (being on an exposed coast) blow down, sort of (I've had to claim for my roof a couple of times over 35 years). I pay around £800 per annum for comprehensive house cover (they do it by the bedroom here and I have four) which also includes the contents. Landlords of rented houses are responsible for the buildings cover.

I feel sorry for people in flood zones who have to pay a fortune or who have to live dangerously. I expect that certain parts of Florida are regarded as high risk...?
Tell me more!

28 Sep 22 - 12:37 PM (#4154064)
Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
From: Stilly River Sage

That is a television station news website.

'Stuck with the bill': How Florida insurance companies going under leaves buyers out to dry

ORLANDO, Fla. —
When Mike McKee’s insurance company canceled his policy in 2021, he paid thousands of dollars to install a metal roof on his house near downtown.

“One, it would last longer. Two, it'll last longer. Three, it'll last longer,” McKee said.

However, he didn’t end up saving as much money as he first thought he would.

“Insurance companies that I had were still going to charge three times as much as I had paid two years ago, so about $3,000 a month,” McKee said.

He ended up securing coverage with Citizens, typically the last resort when homeowners can’t find insurance in the private marketplace.

Not only are home insurance options limited or pricey because of fewer insurers are operating in Florida compared to even a few years ago — for a variety of reasons, like reinsurance or roof replacement costs — but all policyholders across the state are now bracing to pay more to cover insurers that were forced into liquidation.

The Florida Insurance Guarantee Association is a nonprofit entity that handles payment for claims from liquidated or insolvent property insurance companies.

The association has an assessment for other insurance companies operating in the state of Florida, which would then pass that cost on to their policyholders across the state.

“Every single property owner in the state is going to pay for failed insurers with a special assessment that will be tacked on to their next home insurance renewal bill,” said Mark Friedlander a director with the Insurance Information Institute.

State regulators just approved the most recent assessment in March.

“I feel deeply for the people who lose the insurance, and I know there has to be a solution, but it seems like at every step, what's happening is the individual homeowners are being punished for the ills of the insurance companies and lack of action from state legislature,” McKee said.

Barry Grimm is a homeowner in Apopka who’s also frustrated about the added expense after going through previous premium rate hikes with his insurance company last year.

"Of course, we don't like to pay more money. I think it comes down to better management and control of the frivolous claims that are being made,” Grimm said.

So far this year, Lighthouse Property Insurance Corporation, Avatar Property Insurance and St. John’s Insurance Company were ordered into liquidation, according to FIGA reports.

The liquidation of these companies forced their policyholders to find new insurance coverage in Florida’s already complicated market.

Since 2017, WESH 2 Investigates found out that the following nine insurance companies were forced into liquidation or receivership in Florida:

  • Global Liberty Insurance Company of NY
  • Western General Insurance Company
  • Gulfstream Property and Casualty Insurance
  • American Capital Assurance Corporation
  • Bedivere Insurance Company
  • Windhaven National Insurance Company
  • Windhaven Insurance Company
  • Florida Specialty Insurance Company
  • Castle Point National Insurance Company

    Ohio-based firm, Demotech, has been monitoring the financial health of insurance companies in Florida for decades. President Joe Petrelli told WESH 2 Investigates that it’s possible other companies could go into liquidation.

    “I think there is some concern if there's not significant and meaningful legislative reform,” Petrelli said.

    State lawmakers will meet in Tallahassee on May 23 for a special session to tackle some of the issues plaguing Florida's home insurance industry. Industry analysts had previously cited concerns like roof replacement schemes, attorney fees and reinsurance.

    Even when lawmakers work out a deal, industry analysts say it could be a while before Florida homeowners see relief.

    “It’s typically an 18 to 24-month cycle before we start to see significant impacts,” Friedlander said.

    Until then, you can check the financial stability of your insurance company by asking your agent, and also ask them to shop for the best coverage for your home.

    If you have a tip you'd like our investigative team to look into email investigates@wesh.com.

    • 28 Sep 22 - 12:57 PM (#4154066)
    Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
    From: Steve Shaw

    Wow. We don't have a problem here with companies going Into liquidation or receivership and leaving customers high and dry. Sounds like a mess. $3000 a month? I think I'd up sticks...

    28 Sep 22 - 10:35 PM (#4154101)
    Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
    From: Stilly River Sage

    I heard an interview this evening with a woman who was sheltering in a home very near where the hurricane landed - at one point the broadcaster asked her why she was there. They didn't have to evacuate, but homes very nearby did. It turns out that she lives to the north where it was originally forecast to come ashore, so she thought she was moving out of the path by evacuating to this other place.

    29 Sep 22 - 07:48 AM (#4154122)
    Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
    From: Donuel

    Lee county / Fort Meyers Sheriff said there could be hundreds of fatalities there on Fox News. I watched Tucker Carlson say verbatim what gilymor posted. Then he blamed Democrat Amy Klobuchar. Between life or property the issue of life is of course paramount. In Florida there is a law prohibiting State employee authorities from using the word global warming.

    29 Sep 22 - 08:36 AM (#4154128)
    Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
    From: Donuel

    Of course Fox News tried to demonize FEMA and pressed the Sheriff to complain about lack of cooperation by the Feds and he said "we do not need pissing contests right now". Brian Kilmeade still tried to exaggerate even saying hundreds of thousands dead and agreed that political 'assuages' are not the issue at this time.

    29 Sep 22 - 12:59 PM (#4154158)
    Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
    From: Stilly River Sage

    The sheriff walked back that statement - he said in an interview later in the morning that there "were deaths" and they had no idea how many right now. There might be hundreds.

    29 Sep 22 - 01:05 PM (#4154159)
    Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
    From: Stilly River Sage

    And pulling up Google News I see that A section of the Sanibel Causeway in Florida is destroyed by Hurricane Ian, cutting off access to the island community
    A large section of a causeway connecting an island in southwestern Florida to the mainland collapsed into the Gulf of Mexico, leaving anyone who did not evacuate stranded, as Hurricane Ian left a path of devastation through the state Wednesday.

    Approximately 50 to 65 feet of the Sanibel Causeway collapsed as Hurricane Ian roared through southwest Florida on Wednesday, NBC affiliate WBBH reported Thursday morning, as the destruction left behind by Ian comes into focus.

    Last night on Alex Wagner's MSNBC program she interviewed General Honoré who said that in the first 12 hours it wouldn't be FEMA or any other government group doing the work, it would be neighbors rescuing neighbors. The "Cajun Navy" is what that was called after previous hurricanes in Louisiana. After that the government would be in a better position to help people, even if they were staged nearby to hit the ground running.

    29 Sep 22 - 01:40 PM (#4154164)
    Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
    From: Donuel

    Hurricane Harvey produced a similar 'navy' in Texas and I recall many were immigrants.

    Marcos Island was hit by Michael and now Ian. This slice of paradise has not been lucky

    I'm wishing gillymor the best of luck in a bad situation.

    29 Sep 22 - 01:51 PM (#4154165)
    Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
    From: Donuel

    I recall when a hurricane stalled out 200 miles inland and rained for 10 days straight. It turned a stream you could step across into a quarter mile wide river. So Ian is not finished.

    29 Sep 22 - 03:45 PM (#4154169)
    Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
    From: Bonzo3legs

    I can never understand why people continue to live in a hurricane area - seems to me that they just don't have their finger on the button!!!

    29 Sep 22 - 05:44 PM (#4154188)
    Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
    From: Charmion

    Aw, c’mon, Bonzo — that’s just cruel.

    As Canadian, I could as well ask why your ancestors didn’t have the sense to emigrate, like mine did!

    29 Sep 22 - 06:25 PM (#4154194)
    Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
    From: Steve Shaw

    Millions of people live in areas prone to flooding in the UK. They have no choice. Nearly three million people live within a few miles of Vesuvius, and many actually farm the incredibly fertile slopes. They grow the best tomatoes in world and produce superb wines. So...

    29 Sep 22 - 08:44 PM (#4154210)
    Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
    From: Donuel

    ha ha ha...sense to emigrate.


    Parts of FL is a slice of paradise that seems affordable until...

    30 Sep 22 - 07:03 PM (#4154315)
    Subject: RE: BS: Hurricane Ian is the first...
    From: keberoxu

    Florida is infamous for being an expensive place to die and have your estate settled,
    but that is a whole different can of worms.
    One for the lawyers.