Senator hopes to delay flood insurance increases (5/23/2013)
A La. Senator filed legislation that directs FEMA to conduct an affordability study and delay flood insurance increases at least six months after completion.

Citizens offers cheaper rate option with no fanfare (5/20/2013)
The limited coverage option, HO-8, could save some up to 70% – but only 47 people have signed up due to eligibility restrictions and other potential obstacles.

Some flood insurance policies to see rate hikes (5/20/2013)
About 20% of “subsidized” flood policies will see a premium increase each year until they’re actuarially sound. But a new homeowner must pay it immediately.

Fla. Rep. introduces bill to boost FEMA disaster money (5/13/2013)
The Safe Building Code Incentive Act of 2013 introduced last week would increase FEMA’s post-disaster money 4% to states with a minimum building code.

Hurricane season kicks in before flood insurance (5/13/2013)
With a few exceptions, a new applicant for flood insurance won’t receive coverage for 30 days, and Florida’s hurricane season starts in 19 days – June 1.

Software glitch slashes Citizens premium 92% (5/7/2013)
One homeowner who dropped sinkhole coverage saw his insurance premium drop from $2,977 to $246. At least 1,500 Citizens customers have benefited so far.

Fla. House not keen on Senate’s overhaul of Citizens (4/30/2013)
Among other things, 101-page Senate bill charges new owners higher insurance rates while 83-page House bill does not. They have four days to find agreement.

Fla. Senate passes Citizens insurance overhaul (4/26/2013)
Will Citizens’ rates rise, fall or stagnate? Too soon to say for sure, but House will now consider Senate’s bill that significantly hikes rates for new policies.

Terrorism insurance can come in handy (4/25/2013)
Boston businesses without terrorism insurance are out of luck, but in many buildings, it’s part of the lease price. About 70% of U.S. businesses are covered.

Fla. Insurance Commissioner: Buy flood insurance now (4/16/2013)
One reason: A policy doesn’t become effective for 30 days and hurricane season starts in 45 days. Second reason: Lock rates in now. Many policies go up Oct. 1.

FHFA to crack down on insurance forced by lenders (4/1/2013)
Feds identified two key problems with property insurance forced on homeowners by lenders. It’s considering rules and accepting public comments until May 28.

If a home gets hit by a meteor, who pays? (2/19/2013)
Insurance Information Institute: Rest easy, “your insurance covers falling objects.” It’s rare, but property insurance pays for things that drop from the sky.

A Fla. rarity: Property insurer to cut rates (2/12/2013)
A force-placed insurer – one a lender “forces” on a homeowner – will cut rates 18.8%, say state officials. It impacts 126,336 policies and will save $98 million.

Citizens to shed wind policies (2/12/2013)
It’s a first: The Fla.-owned insurer transferred policies to private carriers before but never windstorm. Change to impact 23K homes and 3K condo complexes.

Banks fight Fannie Mae over insurance (1/28/2013)
Lenders earn healthy fees when they make owners buy force-placed insurance. Fannie Mae wants to change that as banks fight to maintain the status quo.

Fla. releases info on state insurance companies (1/9/2013)
Fla.-owned Citizens Property Ins. tops state with 1.4 million policies – more than the four largest private insurers combined.

Citizens Property Ins. offers new type of coverage (1/8/2013)
Fla.-owned insurer’s new policy is about 21% cheaper, but it covers less and comes with restrictive rules on who qualifies for coverage.

Citizens to postpone action on loan program (12/14/2012)
Fla.-owned insurer shelved, for now, plans to grant $350M in cheap loans to private insurers that take out policies.

Force-placed insurance lawsuit to proceed (12/6/2012)
A Fla. woman forced to take insurance by her lender alleges the tactic was predatory. Judge rules the case can proceed.

Gilway: Citizens to become better broker to private carriers (11/30/2012)
Fla.-owned insurer pres. says he offers “worst coverage in marketplace,” but it’s the cheapest, so homeowners prefer it.