Jeb just gave our homes away to insurance companies and hurricanes.

[madfloridian]

Scott Maddox's campaign for governor just sent this out. I have NOT heard it from our state party, NOT from our local DEC, this is the first I have heard it. I guess I missed all the news coverage of it. Looks like our Democrats at HQ in Tally would have been paying attention....looks like it. Thanks, Scott.

The Outrage Before, And After, The Storm

Another hurricane season begins, and all eyes are warily fixed on weather radar for the all-too-familiar pinwheel-shaped cloud formations, threatening winds and flooding that ravage our homes and throw our lives into chaos.

As Floridians, we accept hurricanes as the price of living in such a wonderful state. But this season, there’s another far more threatening storm riding in behind the hurricanes. What makes this storm so insidious is that it flies beneath the radar, exactly where Governor Bush and the legislature want it.

In the final minutes of the final day of the last legislative session, the insurance companies (with the help of Governor Bush and a disturbing number of Democrats) were able to pass legislation which allows them to avoid paying to rebuild houses destroyed partly by flooding and partly by windstorm when a homeowner’s policy only covered wind damage.

Hurricane Ivan ravaged the panhandle.

A hurricane causing both flood and wind damage? This may sound like common sense, but Governor Bush and your legislature seem to think otherwise – they’ve legislated common sense into extinction.

The plain truth is that regardless of whom your policy is with, you have less coverage this year than last. And you will most likely be paying more for this greatly diminished coverage.

Until the legislature passed this law, insurers were required to pay full policy limits when a home is a total loss, so long as windstorm was a contributing factor to the total loss. The new law requires that insurance companies pay only for the portion of the damage caused by the threat they cover, just wind or just flood. And the homeowner has the almost impossible burden of proving how much of the damage was caused by wind after the storm has destroyed their home.

Earlier this year I represented over 500 hurricane victims in a case against state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. These victims were struggling to recover from Hurricane Ivan even as a new season of hurricanes was bearing down upon them. Imagine watching the Weather Channel for signs of a hurricane while a blue tarp flaps above your head. In this case, the judge ruled that Citizens should pay the full amount of their policy, regardless of whether wind or storm surge destroyed their homes, so long as wind was a contributing factor. Citizens has appealed the ruling.

Make no mistake: This law is a giant giveaway to the same insurance companies that have donated millions of dollars to Governor Bush and the legislature. In the 2002 and 2004 election cycles, big insurance companies pumped nearly $19 million into Florida's state campaigns. The biggest recipients? Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher, followed by Gov. Jeb Bush and lawmakers who just so happen to serve on the House and Senate committees charged with regulating insurance.

But for hurricane victims battening down the hatches waiting for more storms, the appearance created by all this money just adds insult to injury. Any legislator who voted for the new rules should be ashamed of themselves for the position they’ve put hurricane victims in.

Since 1982 we’ve had a law in Florida designed to protect victims who lose their homes to the wind and flooding brought by a hurricane. Sadly, these protections are no more.

Hurricanes come in categories, not flavors – there’s no such thing as a ‘windy’ hurricane or a ‘floody’ hurricane. There are just hurricanes, and homeowners who have paid their premiums for both wind and flood damage deserve to be covered for both. This new law gives the insurance companies yet another advantage over the everyday Floridian. It's wrong, and the Legislature should fix it immediately.

While Floridians can see a hurricane coming, they as yet have no idea about the storm of financial hardships that will now follow on its heels if we don’t immediately reverse this disastrous legislation.

Looking Ahead
Mayor Maddox will hold Town Hall meetings this week in Gadsden and Jefferson counties.

The Gadsden meeting will be held tonight in Quincy at the United Farm Workers Union Hall. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.

The Monticello meeting will be Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday Maddox will be at a Volusia County Democratic gathering and on Sunday, Maddox will join the Florida Democratic Carribean Caucus for the annual meeting in Broward County.

For more information any event, e-mail Chris Petley or call us at 850.224.2006.
On the Road...
In Orlando...

Mayor Maddox campaigned throughout Central Florida and the panhandle region this past weekend.

He started the weekend in Orlando at the Florida League of Cities Convention, a gathering of local leaders from across the state. While Mayor of Tallahassee, Maddox was President of the organization and traveled to each of Florida's 405 cities on a state-wide "Mayor on the Move" tour. At the event Maddox had the chance to speak with many local government officials and discuss the different challenges that face Florida cities.

In Nassau...

After meeting with local leaders in Orlando, Maddox traveled to Fernandina Beach, Florida. The Nassau County DEC held a Southern style Low-Country Boil.

Maddox had the opportunity to enjoy good old-fashioned food and great conversation.

Maddox enlivened the crowd with a firey speech - detailing so much that "ain't right" in the state under the current Republican leadership and offering some of his plan for brightening the future of Florida.

In Panama City...

On Sunday, Maddox finished his tour with a stop in Panama City where the local Democrats held a Luau. The event served as a fundraiser and social gathering. Maddox spoke to the crowd, once again winning them over with his passionate rhetoric and straight-forward approach as he discussed how to get Florida back on the right track. The Maddox plan, to tip the scales back in favor of everyday citizens, instead of favoring greedy corporate agendas and the special interests of a few, will make Florida a greater state for every resident.

What do you think?
What is on your mind? Share your thoughts and concerns. E-mail or call us at 850.224.2006.

Add [e-mail] to your address book

[derby378]

1. Floridians, check your policies

Now you need flood AND wind insurance.

[phantom power]

2. I'm no fan of insurance companies, but...

There are also bigger things happening here. I don't see how any insurance company will be able to afford paying claims in an environment with this kind of continuous hurricane activity.

Floridians are going to find themselves uninsurable. Either that, or their insurance will have to be subsidized at the expense of the taxpayers.

[madfloridian]

4. Sorry, no excuses, not at the prices we pay.

There of course is a way. Wait till it is your state being gored, or whatever.

[phantom power]

5. Enlighten me: what prices do you pay?

[madfloridian]

6. I will not enlighten you. That is arrogant.

I don't have words for anyone who excuses screwing people like the insurance companies did here last year. No excuses, not in this country of ours.

[phantom power]

11. It's arrogant to ask you a question? Forgive me.

:eyes:

[madfloridian]

12. You never ask people how much they pay for things.

At least that is the way I was taught. Trust me we pay a whole lot, and we live 40 miles inland.

[phantom power]

20. I've always thought that was an odd custom. It allows us to be oppressed.

We're taught to never speak amongst ourselves about what we make, or how much we pay for things. That habit works in favor of those who pay our salaries!

Kind of Orwellian, when you think about it: entire discussions are impossible for us to have.

I just attempted to eduate myself about your insurance problems, and my attempt was stymied because we have been conditioned to not speak of such things amongst ourselves.

Our corporate masters are surely pleased...
:-)

[madfloridian]

23. Oh, good grief, don't pull that on me.

.

[phantom power]

28. You are free to disagree, but I'm completely serious.

[phylny]

25. As you know, there was nothing wrong with asking that question.

I moved from Virginia to New York, and I was amazed at how much more my property insurance was. Absolutely amazed.

It took me a minute, and then I realized it's because since we're on a well and there are no hydrants, my house here is at a greater risk of burning to the ground.

I, however, have no way of knowing how my insurance compares to, say, insurance in Florida :)

[madfloridian]

30. How much did your house cost?

And your car?

[phylny]

31. House: $718,000. Car, oh, around $32,000 in 2002. Next?

[tallahasseedem]

9. What do you suppose that we do?

Bend over and take it? These companies collect billions of dollars and because of a couple of abnormal hurricane seasons they deserve to gouge us? :wtf:

[phantom power]

18. You should fight it, if they're screwing you.

All I'm saying is: they surely take in billions of dollars, but a single hurricane can cost them billions in claims. Last year, you got hit with four hurricanes in a month.

And this year is shaping up to be like last year. And all the indications are that every year is going to be like last year, into the forseeable future.

If you think of recent hurricane seasons as an anomaly, they're clearly screwing you. The kicker is, recent hurricane seasons are probably the new normal. And in that kind of climate, you may find that no insurance company can afford to insure you. They'll cancel your policies, or maybe just go out of business.

I'm not saying it to be smug or insensitive. I'm saying it as a helpful warning: as bad as your insurance situation is now, it's likely to get worse, to the point that you simply won't be insured at all. I don't know what can be done about that, but forwarned is forarmed.

[rrrevolution]

10. Sorry But Insur Co Lines Are Just Not True .....

Insurance Companies have been collecting highly inflated insurance premiums for at least the last 30 years arguing that high rates were needed to provide a reserve against the day that a hurricane hit and they would have to pay claims.

So now after using this line to justify extra high premiums, they step in and "buy" a loophole from the legislature with their campaign contributions so that they do not have to pay legitimate claims in times of need.

It goes right along with the industry practice of giving you the best premium rate for insurance as long as you never make a claim. However, try to make a claim on the policy you have been paying on for years and they will drop you like a hot potato, without having to give you a reason, and force you to scrounge for coverage from a high deductible high premium company.

It is all a game, and the insurance companies get to make the rules.

If you think they are hurting because of all the claims they are paying, take a look at the return on investment to their shareholders. It is a win/win situation for the insurers, and lose/lose situation for the insureds -- any way you look at it.

[jackster]

3. actually, I have seen something on this in the last few days....

I just can't remember where I saw it!

[tallahasseedem]

7. I know, this is ridiculous.

My Homeowners went up over 35% this year even though there was no real damage done in Tallahassee from last year's hurricanes.

[seriousstan]

8. If you live in Floida you should have to self-insure.

In the words of the late, great Sam Kinison.....

"WE HAVE DESERTS IN AMERICA -- WE JUST DON'T LIVE IN THEM, ASSHOLES!"

[rrrevolution]

17. Don't Know Where You Live, But You Could Be Next

You may take a hard line on Florida saying they should self-insure, but what if the same type of damage occurs where you live -- are you ready to go the self-insurance route?

A few years back, people living hundreds of miles inland from the NC coast got the worst of a hurricane that went straight inland at high speed before losing strength.

And by the way, in almost every situation you are REQUIRED to obtain homeowner's insurance as a precondition to getting a mortgage or refinancing. So you have to have insurance, and the insurance companies are so non-competitive in their pricing, it is just a matter of how much they want you to pay.

Try being late on a premium payment by a day and see what happens, but if you have a claim it may take years for them to pay the funds you are legally entitled to receive under the contract they wrote.

[seriousstan]

22. Not likely. I am smart enough to have bought a house that is NOT

in hurricane country, NOT in tornado alley and NOT in a flood plain.

[converted_democrat]

24. Guess what??? None of that bull hockey even matters. So your drivel is

pointless. We paid for a service, the service is not being delivered, and "new" laws are being made that were not part of the deal.

[converted_democrat]

19. What a completely uninformed post........

I pay good money for insurance, and there is no reason why I should should lose any coverage. Period. The insurance companies bought our legislature, plain and simple.

[converted_democrat]

13. That's not the only thing that's new..........25% deductible

A number of insurance companies are adopting the policy to make the homeowner pay a 25% deductible if there is hurricane damage to the home. I do not know how many of the insurance companies are doing this, but mine is, and so is our neighbors, and we have different companies. We have State Farm and they have Nationwide.

[Eastside Blue]

14. Wow ...

I used to live in Florida - I moved to Washington state 6 years ago. That sounds similar to earthquake insurance out here. It's a separate policy with a 10% deductible.

[madfloridian]

15. I just talked to my insurance agent's office.

Inland we are affected only by the definition of "flood" which will hurt everyone. If water seeps in through doors or windows during a hurricane it is not covered...if it pours in when there is an actual break it is covered.

HOWEVER, coastal areas will apparently have to have 3 policies, regular, flood, and wind. And you must yourself be able to define from whence the damage came. Oops....good one for the insurance companies.

Don't hold me to that. I got a little upset when she started blaming lawyers for everything in the world.

At the end of the conversation, I told her I thought we should be able to discuss without blaming lawyers for hurricanes and everything else. I said we need them to help fight corporations like insurance companies. I asked her if she had to hire one ever to fight for her rights, and she agreed she had. She apologized.

[gratuitous]

16. Silly billies! Insurance companies aren't in business to pay claims

They're in business to collect premiums, no matter how earnestly Dennis Haysbert looks into the camera and says "That's Allstate's stand."

[wolfgirl]

21. Yes, insurance companies are

for Profit businesses. Remember, they collect the premiums and han out nothing when the weather is perfect. We still have to pay, we still have to deal with deductibles and we have no voice when they choose to raise our rates when we have a bad year.

Don't ever be fooled into thinking these companies aren't about their profits!

[SammyWinstonJack]

26. That's the bush brothers for ya. Screw the states they govern.

And one of the little bastards got "elected" to screw over all 'Muricans! But before he did, he screw us Texans royally and the stupid bush zombies in this state still don't see that. Oh and then they elected a bush protege to continue screwing us over. So sorry for all you Floridians.

[1932]

27. Joseph Stiglitz talked about this last year.

He said that it's obvious that the insurance companies know that there are potentially devesating climatic consequences of global warming because they've spent the last few years doing everything they can to limit their liability for those consequences in the Florida legislature.

This is an example of how, when there is a lot of money at stake for the corporatocracy, they get extremely organized and coordinated in their efforts to "elect" governments who will protect their wealth.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

29. But Jeb will be the first one there for a photo-op after the storm

is over, assuring the residents (read voters) that he will do everything in his power to assist them in a quick recovery. And the idiot local news reporters quickly jump in to add that "we are so fortunate because the governor has the president's ear." Ask the folks in Port Charlotte and Port St. Lucie just how quickly the damage was repaired. Many of those areas still look like they did a day after they were hit, and a year has gone by.

[bluedog]

32. PLUS...we have to pay 7% spike for others insurance.(puke!!)

Posted on Thu, Aug. 18, 2005

Homeowner insurance to spike 7%

HERALD STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Florida homeowners will pay an average 7 percent surcharge on their property insurance as the state's insurer of last resort moved Wednesday to recover its losses from last year's hurricanes by charging private insurers $516 million.

Citizens Property Insurance, created by the state in 2002 for homeowners who couldn't find insurers to underwrite high-risk properties, is imposing the one-time charge through its legal authority to spread its losses across all companies. Private insurers, in turn, are allowed to directly pass the charge on to consumers, meaning someone with a $5,000 insurance bill will have to pay an extra $340.

Citizens board Chairman Bruce Douglas said that the insurer had no choice because under state law it must impose the surcharge to compensate for its losses.

Citizens, with 740,000 customers, is the state's second-largest insurer behind State Farm. But legally Citizens must charge the highest rates so it doesn't compete with private companies. Besides spreading out losses by billing insurance companies, the quasi-government entity is able to issue bonds to raise money.

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/12412421.htm

we now have to pay our own insurance PLUS pay for other people who have Citizens insurance.......this is a total rip off..why am I suppose tio pay for others insurance....I had a hell of a time getting coverage here.but got it ......Damn f'ing state makes me sick!!