Floridians face insurance rate increases that are simply unaffordable

Bryan Desloge: Flood law harms Florida

Published: Friday, October 11, 2013

With all of the heat on Washington these days it is time to take a moment and thank Florida’s U.S. senators and representatives. Yes, I said thank them. These dedicated men and women are fighting on behalf of Floridians to stop the implementation of a massive national rate hike in flood insurance.

This legislation, the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, unnecessarily harms Floridians and poses a serious threat to our businesses, communities and our economy. While the intent of the act to stabilize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) may appear practical, it in fact burdens Floridians with the lion’s share of the program’s financial responsibility, which is simply unfair and unreasonable.

Second only to Alaska in terms of shoreline, Florida has 37 percent of the nation’s flood insurance policies. Florida’s homeowners, however, have supported the NFIP with more than $16 billion in payments during the past three decades, claiming only $3.7 billion during the same timeframe. Now, Floridians face insurance rate increases that are simply unaffordable. As our economy and real estate market begins to recover, now is not the time to create massive hikes for potential real estate buyers, businesses and homeowners.

Last week, Florida Congressman Rich Nugent introduced a bill to delay implementation of insurance premium increases until the Federal Emergency Management Agency has completed an affordability study, which was required by the law. Eleven other members of the Florida delegation co-sponsored the bill – Democrats and Republicans alike.

The Florida Association of Counties urges members of the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee to head the call of Florida’s delegation and citizens to take action and delay imminent reforms. In the interest of transparency, Congress should prohibit funds from being used to implement rate increases and call for a full review of this act so that lawmakers and taxpayers may fully understand the real impact of these measures on our communities.

Florida’s congressmen and women are in Washington attempting to stop this drastic impact to Floridians. Let’s help them by voicing our support for re-addressing the Biggert-Waters Act and reaching out to members of Congress on the House Financial Services Committee and asking them to do the same.

Bryan Desloge is a Leon County commissioner and president of the Florida Association of Counties.