Some Florida lawmakers are looking at a way to decrease rising home insurance costs. Florida's rates are one of the highest in the nation, more than double other states.
The proposal calls for changing the way we insure our homes against hurricanes but not all lawmakers are on board with the plan.
Currently, over half of a home insurance policy in Florida covers windstorm damage, and many people can't even get it.
Some state lawmakers want state-run Citizens Insurance to offer wind insurance coverage to everyone.
Property owners like Dave Rodwell, of Fort Myers, said he has had to increase his deductible on his policy in order to keep the price of insurance down.
That means he and others pay more to repair their damages.
“What it means to us is that our reserve funds have gotten used up because of the hurricanes,” Rodwell said.
For Karen and Juan Suarez, it simply means less money to live on.
“Since we've purchased the house it has tripled. It has definitely made an impact on the way we live,” Karen said.
Her husband says the money doesn’t go as far as it used to.
House Bill 13 would turn state run Citizens into a wind insurance provider. Former State Representative Spencer Roach sponsored the bill last year but it never went anywhere and he fears that could be the case again this legislative session.
“We could not find a single member of the Florida Senate with the courage to file a companion bill, and we have to have a companion bill for this to move forward in the legislative process,” Roach said.
He believes the bill could pick up steam now that the bill's sponsor Hillary Cassel became vice chair of the state's insurance committee.
“We should allow every Floridian who wants to purchase a homeowners policy from citizens which would include wind coverage, and that would lower the rates for everyone,” Roach said.
The Insurancenter agent Doug Nellans said if done properly he believes property owners could easily see double-digit decreases in the cost of windstorm insurance. Nellans noted that cost alone accounts for more than half of the policy cost.
Nellans also pointed out the bill would especially help those with older homes in high risk areas.
“Older homes are not up to the same building codes that newer homes are. As a result, it's understandable they may have to pay more for windstorm insurance,” Nellans stressed.
It’s an idea that is certainly popular with homeowners like Juan Suarez and his wife.
“A lot of people could use the break definitely,” he said.
As of Friday, there was still not a single state senator willing to sponsor the bill.
Roach said it may take phone calls from voters to move them. The 60-day legislative session begins March 4.