Citizens Property Insurance premiums to rise

Mobile homeowners insured by state-backed Citizens Property Insurance will see an 11 percent increase on their insurance policies in 2010.

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty signed an order Thursday establishing rates for the Citizens high-risk accounts. The approved rates are close to those requested by Citizens at a rate hearing earlier this month.

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE

State Farm might not leave Florida

After `intense negotiations,' state Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said he's `cautiously optimistic' that State Farm won't drop all of its Florida homeowners policies.

INSURANCE

Citizens Property Insurance pressed over hike request

The state's insurance regulators sharply questioned Citizens Property Insurance officials Tuesday, challenging a proposed rate hike for high-risk policyholders with wind protection.

Workers' compensation rates to drop Jan. 1

Workers' compensation insurance rates will drop 6.8 percent, effective Jan. 1, based on a final report issued Monday by Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty.

INSURANCE

Policy renewed despite drywall

An insurance company changed its mind and will renew a couple's policy even though their home has tainted Chinese drywall.

Citizens Property Insurance prepares to boost rates

State regulators will hold a public hearing Tuesday on Citizens Property Insurance's request to boost policyholders' premiums by up to 10 percent starting in January.

Public insurance adjuster accused of defrauding seniors

A public adjuster accused of stealing more than $100,000 from three South Florida seniors was arrested for the third time this year.

Bernard Benaim's arrest last week was for approaching homeowners about repairs and improvements, assuring them he could get money for the repairs. The state's chief financial officer said Benaim, 35, had the homeowners sign contracts that said they would give him 10 percent of the claim payment. Instead, the state said, Benaim pocketed all of the insurance money.

INSURANCE

Nationwide dumps 60,000 policies in Florida

Nationwide Insurance of Florida won't renew 60,000 homeowners policies across the state, including 10,660 in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties.

Citizens Property Insurance isn't the only insurance option

Homeowners shopping for insurance in South Florida have a few options, so they don't have to buy coverage from Citizens Property Insurance, the expensive state-run insurer.