PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Citizens Proposes Rate Hikes for Coastal Customers

Pensacola Beach, 2005, after Hurricane Dennis
National Weather Service
Pensacola Beach, 2005, after Hurricane Dennis

More than half of Citizens Property Insurance customers will face rate increases next year, under a proposal going before the insurer's Board of Governors on Wednesday.

The biggest increases are expected to hit coastal policyholders.

Pensacola Beach, 2005, after Hurricane Dennis
Credit National Weather Service
Pensacola Beach, 2005, after Hurricane Dennis

"The overall increase is being fueled by a continued spike in water loss claims in Southeast Florida and the fact that most coastal policies with nearly adequate rates have found coverage with private market insurance companies," a release from the state-backed insurer saidMonday.

Overall, Citizens is proposing an average rate increase of 3.2 percent for personal lines policyholders.

However, the actual amount will vary depending on location and home.

The proposal includes an average increase of 8.6 percent on coastal multi-peril homeowner policies, which the release from Citizens says reflects "both the historical inadequacy of coastal rates and the higher risks associated with living along the coast."

For inland policyholders, a 1 percent drop is proposed in multi-peril rates.

Of the approximately 573,000 personal lines customers now with Citizens, about 255,000 should get lower rates, the release from the insurer said.

Copyright 2020 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7. To see more, visit .

News Service of Florida