FIRM ANNOUNCES NEW SISTER COMPANY FORMATION
FIRM (Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe) has incorporated a newly formed 501(c)(3) tax-deductible sister organization, known officially as FIRMKeys. FIRM and FIRMKeys share the same mission and leadership. Operating together as FIRM, both organizations continue the fight for fair and affordable windstorm and flood insurance programs for the Florida Keys. Members now may make tax-deductible contributions to FIRMKeys, or non-deductible contributions to FIRM’s lobbying arm, to be known as FIRM PAC.
FIRMKeys will focus on the educational, research, storm damage prevention and mitigation elements of insurance rate control. FIRMKeys tax-deductible status will allow the organization to apply for grants only available to tax-deductible non-profit organizations. FIRM will continue to vigorously lobby in both Tallahassee and Washington for fairer rates and insurance program improvements. FIRMKeys, because of its tax-exempt status, is prohibited from lobbying.
FIRM is a grassroots organization formed in February, 2006 by homeowners, businesses and residents who united to fight against excessive, discriminatory and unaffordable residential, condominium and commercial property insurance rates. In the first six months the members of FIRM were able to help repeal a proposed 25% residential windstorm premium increase for Monroe County and went on to further reduce residential rates from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation for Monroe County by over 30%. Increases in these rates have remained at a maximum of 10% per year, another victory FIRM fought for and won. More recently, FIRM was a driving force in the rollback of FEMA Flood Insurance rate increases that threatened to make flood insurance unaffordable for many in the Keys.
The organization has grown from 32 members in February of 2006 to over 3,000 members today, and continues to welcome new members. Monroe County residents concerned about residential, condominium, or commercial property insurance rates and coverage are encouraged to join the continuing fight to bring fair and equitable rates to the citizens of the Florida Keys.
Both tax-deductible contributions to FIRMKeys and contributions to FIRM PAC can be made at FIRM’s website www.FIRMKeys.org.