GOVERNOR CRIST LAUNCHES “SHOP AND COMPARE INSURANCE RATES” WEB SITE
June 26, 2007
Contact:
ERIN ISAAC
(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today announced the launch of “Shop and Compare Rates,” a Web site that assists consumers comparing homeowners insurance rates throughout Florida. In Miami, the Governor ceremonially signed legislation to continue insurance reforms by freezing Citizens Property Insurance rates and implementing additional measures to help stabilize the insurance market.
“Many Florida homeowners find it difficult and frustrating to compare the cost of homeowners insurance,” said Governor Crist. “This site is a valuable tool and serves as starting point to help Floridians find the insurance policy best suited to their needs.”
“Shop and Compare Rates” is an interactive tool available at online at www.ShopAndCompareRates.com. The program assists consumers with comparing homeowners insurance rates in all 67 Florida counties. By clicking on each county, a consumer will see a pop-up window with a representative sample of companies and rates for insuring a typical Florida home. The list of insurers is sorted from the lowest to highest cost and provides a link to the company’s contact information.
Commissioner Kevin McCarty of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation joined Governor Crist in Tallahassee for the announcement and ceremonial bill signing and provided a demonstration of the “Shop and Compare Rates” Web site.
“As a result of the leadership of Governor Crist and the Florida Legislature, the insurance market is becoming more competitive,” said Commissioner McCarty. “We hope this new interactive, online feature will provide Floridians the information they need to obtain the best coverage for their homes.”
For more information on the “Shop and Compare Rates” interactive tool, please visit www.ShopAndCompareRates.com or www.flgov.com.
Citizens Property Insurance Reforms
Senate Bill 2498 freezes Citizens Property Insurance Corporation rates until January 1, 2009, and makes affordable property insurance available to more people by allowing Floridians to purchase Citizens coverage if the cost of private insurance would be 15 percent more than a comparable Citizens policy. The bill also increases transparency by requiring Florida subsidiaries to report the parent company’s profits.
“This legislation is another important step in the right direction for Florida’s homeowners,” said Governor Crist. “I am grateful to the members of the Florida Legislature for renewing their commitment to providing broad-based, meaningful and comprehensive insurance reform for the people of Florida.”
In Miami, Governor Crist ceremonially signed the insurance-reform legislation at the home of Rafael & Susanna Rodriguez. The Rodriguezes are an elderly couple whose roof was damaged in Hurricane Katrina. Initially, the couple filed a claim with their insurance company and repaired some of the damage, but certain areas of the roof are still leaking.
The Rodriguezes only recently learned of the possibility of filing a supplemental claim to cover the cost of fully repairing their roof. Additionally, they are worried about the rising cost of homeowners insurance impacting their ability to have a secure retirement. The legislation signed today will help the Rodriguezes by creating coverage options as well as stability in the Florida insurance marketplace.
“Thanks to the great work of the Florida Legislature, Rafael and Susanna can be secure in their retirement,” said Governor Crist. “They can rest assured that if private insurers do not offer affordable coverage, then Citizens will.”
Governor Crist signed Senate Bill 2498 into law on June 11, 2007. The Governor was joined at the ceremonial bill signing today in Miami by bill sponsors Senator Rudy Garcia (R-Hialeah) and Representative Julio Robaina (R-Miami).