State leaders say they have resolved Florida’s property insurance crisis, but a new statewide survey suggests most homeowners do not share that view. The poll was conducted by the Public Opinion Research Lab at the University of North Florida, the South Florida Sun Sentinel and the Orlando Sentinel, and surveyed 1,511 policyholders.
It is the inaugural statewide public opinion survey of its kind and accompanies a multi-month investigation into the state’s insurance landscape.
The results show a significant disconnect between official narratives and consumer experiences. Fifty-five percent of respondents indicated they see no evidence of market improvement, while 26 percent believe conditions are deteriorating. Across party lines, most participants stated that the legislative changes enacted in 2022 and 2023 have primarily benefited the insurance industry rather than consumers who were told they would receive relief.
Financial strain remains a central issue for many policyholders. Nearly half of the survey respondents reported premium increases of at least 50 percent during the last five years. Additionally, nearly three-quarters said their rates continued to rise in the most recent year, contradicting state promises that premiums would begin to decline.
Patrick Shea, a homeowner in St. Augustine who was dropped by a private insurer and moved to Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which is backed by the state, noted that the changes have not helped availability or prices. Dan Caudill, a homeowner in Royal Palm Beach, said his premium rose by $1,300 annually to $5,700 this year.
Retention issues also highlight the gap between policy and practice. Among policyholders who changed insurers in the last five years, 47 percent said the move was compelled after either a private carrier or Citizens dropped them.
