As hurricane season kicks off, South Florida residents are facing more than just storm warnings—they’re bracing for steep property insurance hikes that many say are pushing homeownership out of reach.
On June 5, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24) hosted a policy briefing on the property insurance crisis, bringing together lawmakers, consumer advocates, and industry experts to examine rising costs, dwindling coverage options, and the mounting pressure on families across the state.
“Everywhere I go in Florida, doesn’t matter what parts folks are from, people are concerned about our property insurance crisis,” said Wilson. “It’s time we tackle this issue head-on.”
Wilson introduced the Homeowners’ Defense Act, which aims to support state efforts to manage disaster risk and stabilize the insurance market. According to Insurify, Florida homeowners now pay an average of $11,000 annually for property insurance—far above the national average.
Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10) also weighed in, warning that skyrocketing premiums are forcing some Floridians to choose between health care and home protection. “It’s a shame that the property insurance crisis has put folks in this position,” Frost said. “We need urgent, collective action from policymakers and industry leaders.”
Vice Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Commission, Kionne McGhee, echoed these concerns, noting how rising costs are eroding generational wealth. “For families with no savings, higher payments don’t mean just cutting back—it means choosing between skipping meals just to keep their homes,” McGhee said.
Insurance industry and consumer protection experts joined the briefing as well. Douglas Heller of the Consumer Federation of America pointed to an unprecedented spike in premiums and drop in coverage availability. “We need to invest in loss mitigation and resilience, and we also need to demand better oversight and more scrutiny of the insurance companies,” Heller said.
Robert Gordon, senior vice president of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, cited a mix of climate change, inflation, and legal system abuse as key drivers behind the cost surge. “APCIA is committed to working with housing groups and regulators on long-term solutions,” Gordon stated.
As Florida’s insurance landscape grows more volatile, Wilson and other leaders say bold, bipartisan reform is needed now—before more families are priced out or left unprotected.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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