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Citizens Property Insurance Overhaul Delayed In Senate

The Florida Senate has delayed a vote on a controversial overhaul of the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.

The proposal outlines higher rates for new policies. Senate Sponsor, David Simmons (R-Maitland), says he plans to amend the bill to let existing wind-only customers remain in the lower priced plans, but that overall low rates in Citizens can’t last forever.

“These wind-only policies are less than market rate, and they’re getting an unfair free ride at the expense of everyone else,”  he said.

The Senate’s decision to postpone a vote on the bill comes as a smaller house version passed its last committee stop.  Advocates say the bills are needed to reduce the size of Citizens and bring other insurers back into the Florida market. Opponents worry the proposals could make rates so high they could hurt the state’s recovering housing market.

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Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University and Florida State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master's in Professional Communication. Lynn has been with WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas.  She has worked with several organizations, including Kaiser Health News.  Lynn has also partnered with USC-Annenberg's Center for Child Wellbeing on the nationally acclaimed series "Committed," which explored the prevalence of involuntary commitment use on children.
She serves on the board of RTDNA and the United Way of the Big Bend, with previous service on the board of the First Amendment Foundation of Florida.

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