Flood Insurance

Fort Myers Beach loses flood insurance discounts after a problematic rebuild from Hurricane Ian.

Mark Friedlander of the Insurance Information Institute understands some people may be fearful to file a claim but says home and flood insurance are there for times like these.

Starting Oct. 1, people who sell their home must disclose to buyers if they’ve ever filed a flood insurance claim or received federal assistance related to flood damage. It currently applies to homeowners and excludes landlords.

Only NFIP policy holders in Sanibel and the city of Fort Myers are in good standing. Others at risk of losing steep discounts. Lee County and Fort Myers Beach officials are hoping they can help calm fears those federal notices may bring.

A good rating by FEMA means up to a 40% reduction for those who use the National Flood Insurance Program.

At stake is 10s of millions of dollars in flood insurance discounts that policy holders have enjoyed for years.

A decision to downgrade unincorporated Lee, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Estero's flood rating will prove costly to policy holders.

A federal judge has rejected a request by Florida and other states for a preliminary injunction to block changes to the National Flood Insurance Program that have led to higher premiums for many property owners --- though he ruled that a broader legal battle can continue.

The USF St. Petersburg study showed that 73% of the 1,667 residents polled mistakenly believe that they have flood insurance, while less than 5% actually have coverage.

Florida and other states are trying to fend off an attempt by the Biden administration to short-circuit a lawsuit challenging changes to the National Flood Insurance Program that have led to higher premiums for many property owners.

The Biden administration this week urged a federal judge to reject a challenge by Florida and other states to an overhaul of the National Flood Insurance Program that has led to higher premiums for many property owners.

New estimates from a data analysis company shows home insurance premiums in Florida have actually been rising faster than in any other state — a lot faster.