Florida lawmakers are gearing up to tackle the issue of rising property insurance rates during the upcoming 2025 legislative session. One of the key programs they will be looking to replenish is the My Safe Florida Home Program, which ran out of funds last year. The program offers homeowners up to $10,000 in state grant funding to fortify their homes in an effort to reduce insurance costs.
Recent data revealed that the average cost of home insurance in Florida has reached $3,731 annually. However, many homeowners who have applied for the program have faced challenges. For instance, the Millers from Palm Harbor had to dip into their retirement savings to install hurricane-impact windows, only to find out that the program had run out of money, leaving them in limbo.
Despite these obstacles, some homeowners like Kimberly Johnson from Clearwater have seen success with the program. After replacing her roof and receiving a $10,000 grant, Johnson was able to significantly reduce her insurance rates. State Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis acknowledged that the program can be difficult to navigate, but emphasized the importance of hardening the entire home to qualify for insurance discounts.
As the legislative session approaches, lawmakers will need to consider the success rates of the program. Data shows that only about 12% of applicants have actually seen a reduction in their insurance rates. With funding for the program included in the Governor’s budget, there is hope that more homeowners will benefit from the My Safe Florida Home Program in the future.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
