Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM) Supports Curbelo, Crist Flood Insurance Fairness Act


Florida Congressmen Carlos Curbelo and Charlie Crist have re-introduced the Flood Insurance Fairness Act that would require the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to provide rate relief to Americans paying flood insurance for non-primary residences.

“Across the country rental properties like those affected by this bill not only serve as primary income for many landlords, but also provide reasonably priced housing for the workforce in our coastal communities,” said Curbelo. “This bill is critical to South Florida, especially for residents of the Florida Keys that are in desperate need of affordable housing options. The Flood Insurance Fairness Act would ensure all Americans have access to affordable flood insurance by guaranteeing that all non-primary residences and business properties receive the same rates provided to primary homes under the NFIP.”

FIRM President Mel Montagne stated, “This bill will bring some much needed rate relief to our community. Florida has long been a donor state to the NFIP, and Monroe County has been an integral part of that.”

Florida carries over a third of the 5 million NFIP policies in place in the United States. By the end of 2008 Florida had paid over $16 billion in premiums while collecting only a little over $4.1 billion in claims.

Representatives Curbelo and Crist are optimistic that the bill will gain momentum from the proposed reauthorization of the NFIP in September of this year. Lawmakers in coastal states are well aware of the impact this bill would have on their constituents. FIRM encourages those who own properties in Monroe County but reside in other states to reach out to their members of Congress there, as well, so that they too understand how flood insurance reform benefits the entire country.

FIRM is a grassroots organization formed in 2006 to fight for fair property insurance rates for property owners and residents of Monroe County, Florida (Florida Keys). Through advocacy and community outreach, FIRM contributes to housing affordability and helps residents remain and prosper in our community.

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One thought on “Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM) Supports Curbelo, Crist Flood Insurance Fairness Act

  1. Get a serious grip on this. KW and all of the keys are a poor risk to any insurance. When not IF a hurricane hits it the damage will be billions. Any profits even in 50 years will be gone in seconds. You chose to buy property in probably the worst location in the USA . So either pay the cost or take the chance of no insurance. Yes , many have no choice if you have a mortgage. Add it to the cost of operation. At some point you will face reality of owning anything in the keys is simply too costly compared to income value. For that reason we own nothing in the keys. Yes love it and can easily afford your bed and breakfast prices for the time we spend in KW but not foolish enough to buy into it. Here is the real deal, when not if a hurricane destroys the keys we simply do not visit till repaired. Yes dam sure insurance is costly and is based on predicted lost. If too much then sell and leave. Think in the future and it will take year to recover if ever a 5 hits KW.

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