[twotogo]

I found an article at the following web address.

www.tampabay.com/sinkholecoverage

I do not know how to copy and paste as I have only posted one time before.
The article has to do with the State of Florida Sink Hole Coverage. The rates are going to go up. Maybe some one could copy that article.

My wife and I are trying to sell our house and move to the Villages. After reading this article, I am not so sure.

Thanks for your help.

[angiefox10]

Your link didn't work,


Florida Sinkhole Insurance Coverage for Tampa Bay & Other Sinkhole Areas

If you are a homeowner in Florida, you may fear the day when a sinkhole suddenly appears on your property and swallows up your home. The good news is, sinkholes are a relatively rare occurrence, even in sinkhole prone regions like the Tampa Bay area. Even if a catastrophic sinkhole did occur, your homeowners insurance usually includes sinkhole insurance coverage to pay for sinkhole damage and living expenses while your sinkhole is repaired.

In the Tampa Bay area, the possibility of a sinkhole tends to be higher in all of Pasco County as well as the northern half of Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. Even so, if you live it the Tampa Bay area or anywhere else in Florida, you may feel that sinkhole insurance coverage is unnecessary. If this is the case, Poe & Associates may be able to help you save money on your home insurance by providing you with a sinkhole insurance exclusion in your policy. With a sinkhole exclusion, you will enjoy the benefits of a lower premium, but the policy will still cover catastrophic sinkhole damage.

At Poe & Associates, centrally located in Tampa, Florida, our qualified, experienced property insurance agents can tell you everything you need to know about your homeowners insurance policy, including sinkhole insurance coverage. If you live anywhere in Florida, and especially in the Tampa Bay area, we encourage you to find out more about how to save money on your sinkhole insurance and homeowners insurance policies.

For more information about sinkhole insurance, homeowners insurance, car insurance, and more, please call or e-mail Poe & Associates at our Tampa, Florida headquarters today.

Here is another one, Hope you don't live in PA!

To anyone living in Florida's "sinkhole alley,'' these headlines might sound familiar: "Huge hole opens behind house.'' "Home*owner finds 20-foot hole in driveway.''
But these incidents were in Pennsylvania, not here. And the way the damage claims were handled offers an alternative to Florida's beleaguered system for insuring against sinkhole hazards.
Pennsylvania is one of several states with insurance funds created exclusively to cover property in areas where the ground is prone to collapse into subterranean voids. In those states, the voids are not in limestone, as in Florida, but abandoned coal mine tunnels and shafts over which houses were later built.
Florida homeowners can still buy sinkhole coverage from private insurers as well as the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp., but premiums have soared. In the Tampa Bay area, Citizens' average annual premium for sinkhole coverage ranges from $306 in Pinellas County to $1,087 in Pasco.
In Pennsylvania, homeowners pay a maximum of $187 a year for subsidence coverage. There's even a discount for senior citizens.
Although the funds in other states vary — some are government-run, some act as reinsurers for private companies — all have similarly low annual rates. A $300,000 policy is $111 in Illinois and $60 in Kentucky. In the 37 Ohio counties where coverage is mandatory, the annual premium is just $1 a year with a maximum deductible of $500.
Pennsylvania's fund, the first of its kind, was created in 1961 after most private insurers stopped offering mine subsidence coverage. Part of the state Department of Environmental Protection, the fund currently insures 60,000 homeowners in "high-risk'' areas. Maps show towns, neighborhoods, even streets where the ground has been undermined.
Claims are filed with a DEP field office and investigated by the fund. Compensation for valid claims can't exceed the value of the policy or the replacement cost of the buildings, whichever is less. Pennsylvania's average claim payout over the past five years is $41,823 — compared to nearly $90,000 for Citizens in Florida.
"The claims are far in excess of those that are valid,'' said Lawrence Ruane, administrator of the Pennsylvania fund. Nine of every 10 claims are rejected because "the vast majority of times it's some type of construction or soils issue,'' not mine-related subsidence, Ruane said.
Although the fund has the authority to make repairs, it typically gives the money to the home*owner. Thus, as in Florida, there is no guarantee the money will be used to fix damage.
Florida's sinkholes differ in one key respect from other states prone to soil collapse.
"In terms of mine subsidence, you're dealing with known areas,'' Ruane said. "If you know where you've mined and know where a void is, you have more information to work with than you have down in Florida, where you don't know that much because you didn't create that problem, nature did.''
In a 2005 study, Florida's insurance industry said the subsidence funds in Pennsylvania, Indiana and other states "provide a natural basis'' from which to develop a model for a Florida Sinkhole Insurance Facility. But Florida lawmakers resisted the idea for fear such a fund would explode in size.
As it turns out, Citizens is becoming a de facto sinkhole insurance fund anyway — more Floridians now have sinkhole coverage with Citizens than with any other company.
Ruane notes that specialized insurance funds like Pennsylvania's are the result of insurance companies eliminating coverage for more and more types of perils.
"The trend used to be for blanket coverage," he said. "Your home*owners policy covered floods, fire, hurricanes and everything else, but it's become more exclusive. Is it getting to the point you're covered for a sinkhole only if it happens on the first Tuesday in the month? When did we get on this slope and when do we get off it?''
Susan Taylor Martin can be reached at susan@tampabay.com. Dan DeWitt can be reached at dewitt@tampabay.com or (352) 754-6116.


Are you still reading????

I think this might be the one you are talking about!

New Port Richey, Florida -- Protesters lined the streets in New Port Richey, targeting a new law that would allow insurance companies to raise their rates for sinkhole coverage by thousands of dollars a year in some cases.
Even if you don't own property, they warn this will affect you too by crippling Florida's already fragile economy.
Facing a massive sink-hole insurance rate increase in the thousands of dollars, retiree John Haun says he's worried he'll be forced from his home.
"My neighbor just got his bill and he got a $5,000 increase in his," said Haun.
In a room filled with similar worry, The Florida Association for Insurance Reform (FAIR) brought in a bipartisan panel of local politicians, promising to do what they can to repeal the new law that removed the cap on sinkhole insurance premiums.
Sen. Mike Fasano, a Republican representing the 11th District, says he'll ask state lawmakers to repeal Senate Bill 408.
"That bill was signed into law by our Governor. It has barely gone into effect and we already see the consequences the people of this area will pay," said Fasano.
State Representative Robert Schenck, a Republican representing the 44th district, actually voted for the original House bill, hoping it would reduce fraud. Now, he says, he's worried too many people will be hurt.
"Seventy percent of all sinkhole claims that have been paid out, that money has not been put in to fix that property," said Schenck, explaining his original position on the issue. "So if you guys want to know why we have so much trouble with sinkhole coverage in Hernando County, that's why. It's the rampant fraud."
Rose Rocco, a Democrat and former Hernando County Commissioner, said fraud should be addressed by the insurance companies and not pushed onto consumers.
"It's up to the insurance companies or whoever is supplying that service to make sure that they're paying a claim that's reasonable and just," said Rocco. "And to put the blame on people now is unconscionable."
A mortgage expert also told the crowd it's not just a concern for current homeowners. People considering purchases of property may be told by banks that they must carry the insurance, which could put a chilling effect on an already depressed real estate market.
That could have a ripple effect on the overall economy.
Steve Fingerman, with Allied Mortgages say people will have less money in their pockets.
"You're all of a sudden gonna be faced with a massive payment increase of $300, $400, $500 a month," said Fingerman.
Realtors say it's already having a chilling effect on business, even before the state's insurance commission decides whether to grant the request from Citizens Insurance to raise the rates.
Some clients, even some from other countries, are already aware of the sinkhole issues, and say they don't want to take a chance that other insurance companies will quickly line up to follow suit.
Lawrence Sanek, who owns Castle Dream Realtors, says it's a problem.
"I have international people saying 'Tell me about the sinkhole problem. What's it gonna cost us?'"
The insurance commissioners are not expected to rule on Citizens rate hike request until mid-October, but before then, on September 13 at the Tampa Convention Center, the same commission will be taking public comment in the center's main ballroom.
The hearing is expected to draw hundreds, perhaps thousand of people.

[twotogo]

TALLAHASSEE — The state-run property insurer took a step toward imposing massive rate hikes for sinkhole insurance Tuesday, tentatively approving new premiums that would force many policy holders to either pay thousands of dollars more next year or drop coverage altogether.

The rate hikes — more than 2,000 percent in parts of Tampa Bay and an average of 429 percent statewide — will be considered by the full Citizens Property Insurance board today before heading to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation for final approval.

Citizens actuaries say the new rates, which could cost some customers an additional $4,000 a year, are necessary because current premiums don't cover payouts for sinkhole claims.

In Tampa the average premium for a sinkhole policy would increase from $156 to $3,651. In coastal Pasco County, rates would rise from $1,270 to $3,598. In coastal Hernando County, premiums would soar from $1,356 to $5,734.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

Originally Posted by twotogo

I found an article at the following web address.

www.tampabay.com/sinkholecoverage

I do not know how to copy and paste as I have only posted one time before.
The article has to do with the State of Florida Sink Hole Coverage. The rates are going to go up. Maybe some one could copy that article.

My wife and I are trying to sell our house and move to the Villages. After reading this article, I am not so sure.

Thanks for your help.

Thanks for this additional article. The sinkhole problem and the expense to try and protect your investment has opened my eyes.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by twotogo

TALLAHASSEE — The state-run property insurer took a step toward imposing massive rate hikes for sinkhole insurance Tuesday, tentatively approving new premiums that would force many policy holders to either pay thousands of dollars more next year or drop coverage altogether.

The rate hikes — more than 2,000 percent in parts of Tampa Bay and an average of 429 percent statewide — will be considered by the full Citizens Property Insurance board today before heading to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation for final approval.

Citizens actuaries say the new rates, which could cost some customers an additional $4,000 a year, are necessary because current premiums don't cover payouts for sinkhole claims.

In Tampa the average premium for a sinkhole policy would increase from $156 to $3,651. In coastal Pasco County, rates would rise from $1,270 to $3,598. In coastal Hernando County, premiums would soar from $1,356 to $5,734.

Scary stuff.

[CarolSells]

Thanks Angie & TwotoGo for posting those articles.

Reading about the coal mine sink holes lead me to Google info about Georgia because the northern part of the state was very heavily mined for gold at one time. They are indeed having recent sink hole activity around those areas due to the lack of ground water. Luckily, my house is just south of there. It was interesting to read about how there are problems showing up wherever any type of mining (and I would have to assume drilling) has occurred. Seems obvious in retrospect, but who (lay people) thinks about these things?

Sorry to wander of topic and I know that this doesn't help the FL issues any but I found it all very interesting.

[brostholder]

We just got our renewal premium notice. We live in Pennecamp and insure through the Villages Insurance in LSL. The underwriter is ASI Preferred Insurance Corp. Our insurance has increased by $175.00 from last year. The biggest increase being a $90 increase in sinkhole insurance. This is a doubling of last years sinkhole portion from $90 to $182.

[Pturner]

Wish I could have written the headline for the article. It would say:

Sinkhole Coverage Through the Roof

[brostholder]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Wish I could have written the headline for the article. It would say:

Sinkhole Coverage Through the Roof

You cracked me up....again!

[blueash]

Originally Posted by brostholder

We just got our renewal premium notice. We live in Pennecamp and insure through the Villages Insurance in LSL. The underwriter is ASI Preferred Insurance Corp. Our insurance has increased by $175.00 from last year. The biggest increase being a $90 increase in sinkhole insurance. This is a doubling of last years sinkhole portion from $90 to $182.

And if we have 50,000 homes each paying a premium of 180/yr that is 9 million in premiums collected. Now we all know that 2 houses last week had some damage. But does anyone really think that the insurance companies need 9 million a year to cover potential claims? Maybe if we all got together and paid 20/yr per home, giving us a million for claims or to buy secondary insurance we'd all be ahead. And no, I don't intend to set that up

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by blueash

And if we have 50,000 homes each paying a premium of 180/yr that is 9 million in premiums collected. Now we all know that 2 houses last week had some damage. But does anyone really think that the insurance companies need 9 million a year to cover potential claims? Maybe if we all got together and paid 20/yr per home, giving us a million for claims or to buy secondary insurance we'd all be ahead. And no, I don't intend to set that up

These Ohio guys come up with the right answers. Now that makes sense.

But how to pull it off.

[Bogie Shooter]

I had read some articles regarding sink hole fraud in the western counties of Florida. People were submitting false claims or claims for minor damage blamed on sink holes. Often the money was not used to repair the damage.
The state legislature could have tightened up the penalty for the fraud rather than letting the insurance raise our rates.
I don't have a link to the articles......but just Google "sink hole fraud" and there are plenty of examples.

[784caroline]

What some companies are during in Florida are raising the deductible for Sinkhole loss defined as "Gradual settlement or weakening of earth supporting your property or better known as Sinkhole activity" to 10% of your property insured value. So if we thought hurricane insurance had a high deductible at 2%...10% of a $300,000 home insured for $250,000 (no land value) is $25,000 out of your pocket before the insurance company starts to pay out.

Catastrophic Ground collapse typically will remain at whatever your "All Other Perils deductible is probbaly either $500 or $1000.

[twotogo]

This is the rest of the article from the Tampa Newspaper:

That's on top of normal property insurance rate changes.

The rate increases stunned Kim Romano, a Carrollwood homeowner who works as a receptionist at a charter school.

Romano recently received a nonrenewal notice from her property insurance company, leaving Citizens as her only insurance option.

Under the plan being considered by Citizens, sinkhole coverage alone could cost Romano more than $3,500. The company's current average rate in that part of Hillsborough County is only $260.

"This is just absolutely insane," she said. "Is my salary going up? No, it's not. I just had to take a huge cut. I'm a frustrated homeowner right now."

Florida's former insurance consumer advocate, Sean Shaw, called the Citizens plan a "damning proposition" and challenged his replacement to fight the increases.

"A measure like this will prove devastating to homeowners, potentially putting everyday working Florida families out of their homes and onto the street," Shaw wrote to Robin Smith Westcott, recently named the state's consumer advocate by Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.

Westcott said Tuesday she is reviewing the rate hikes.

"I'm not going to take any position yet on whether we will recommend a lower rate. I want to see the components of the rate filing," she said.

"We understand that 2,000 percent rate increases is unmanageable for a lot of homeowners, especially on top of other premiums they're paying," Westcott said. "Many of these folks, they're in a situation where their mortgage requires them to carry sinkhole coverage. And that makes home ownership unaffordable for some people."

Florida law caps Citizens overall annual rate increases at 10 percent. But the Legislature lifted the cap on sinkhole premiums as part of major insurance reforms passed during the 2011 lawmaking session.

Debate over sinkhole insurance was highly contentious, with insurance companies, including Citizens, complaining that fraudulent and frivolous claims were draining their coffers.

"We just want to collect the accurate rate and we want people to know how bad the problem is. People should only buy sinkhole insurance when they really need it and only file real claims," said Citizens spokeswoman Christine Ashburn.

The new rates are based on actual sinkhole claim payouts over the last five years, she said.

"This is what the data shows we need to do," she said. "We are not doing this to try to make people not buy it."

Jeff Grady, president and CEO of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, said that's exactly what private insurers want.

The insurance industry had lobbied lawmakers this year to free them from the requirement to offer comprehensive sinkhole insurance altogether.

"That was not in the cards. So the next best thing is charge a rate for what it costs," Grady said. "The sinkhole issue is going to fix itself through the rates. People aren't going to buy it."


We need to come up with suggestions on how to solve this issue.

[Posh 08]

I don't understand why they are allowing these rate hikes to the insurance companies for paying out false claims. Did the insurance companies do proper adjusting or investigations?