well, in FL that's not always the case. Check the public record on the number of insurance companies that fold each year. Even the past few years with no storms/damage. And they are supposed to be regulated by OIR.

Anyone remember Poe? I think we (FL policyholders) are still paying that mess off....

And don't get me started on Citizens or the CAT fund...

Why? I'd love to hear your explanation for why I'm subsidizing wealthy, water front property owners, while I can barely find access.

BEGIN RANT...

Because they contribute more $ to the politicians who control this crap. For you local politicos, I will (begrudgingly) give props to FL Sen. Garrett Richter (head of insurance and banking committee)for his efforts at trying to reduce Citizens and their vast policy count (they are currently the largest carrier in FL in terms of # of policies written)

Also, Citizens is about the only carrier to cover mobile homes/manufactured housing. All that stuff you see in the keys will likely end up on your tab if something bad goes down..

and if "the big one" hits, the CAT fund will sell bonds to fund the estimated $450 B shortage. Yeah, like I want to buy a bond from a state that just got totally wiped out. Maybe I'll buy some Greek bonds while I'm at it...

END RANT

You going sailing sometime soon?

You forgot to mention that we're picking up the tab for all those mega mansions with their foundations in the high tide line.

So, the next time you're looking for a place to launch your boat you may want to give some thought to the fact that you're paying for all those waterfront property "owners" who exclude you.

Jay,

Don't forget to mention to all of them about the "new" carriers in the state with little to no re-insurance to cover the losses. Of course we won't discuss FEMA; that by law has to total and refuse to rebuild "substanitally damaged homes", but they do, over and over and over!

Forrest
I-20

Yeah, FEMA's not a good word in our little part of the world. Seems the flood map just got "revised" and we've all sunk down into flood zones. So FEMA gets a whole lot of premium for stuff that's never flooded before but is now "at risk of flooding"

Dang, that Al Gore dude must have been right and we're all sinking.... Or the Myan calander thing.

What I want to know is this. If I'm paying for water front property shouldn't I get to use it?

If the so called "owner" of waterfront property has publicly subsidized insurance, as part of the public shouldn't I have the same right to use the beach the "owner" does?

Should you? No, Pete, you should not. You want water front property, go buy warrfront property.

Fine, you move down here and pay the insurance, the "owners" sure as hell don't.

You are allowed on any beach. You just can't cross private property to get to it. People that live on say North Clearwater Beach only own a portion extending from the house to the water. The actual shoreline is public.

We can carry your argument further. Why should I subsidize homes in a wildfire prone ,tornado prone, or hurricane prone area.

Good question! Hurricanes are precisely the reason your insurance is being subsidized. If you're receiving a subsidy you should at least be required to provide an easement to the beach, which you agree I have a right to use.

Since these are typically their second or third vacation homes, I've asked them for the key so I could "keep an eye on it" while they're gone. So far, no takers

A question I've asked time and time again...the answer seems to be "because we want to". But to require taxpayer subsidies to make the insurance "affordable" (to who's standard? The rich folk living there?) for those within 1000 ft of the water?

The reason the windpool and Citizens Ins. exist? No commercial carrier wants it at the rate the State says "should be". But now even the state admits the rates are "actuarily unsound" and need to be raised.

The reason we have insurance in the first place? We buy (or, rather, finance) things we can't afford to replace. So ultimately it's our fault... If you don't have a mortgage, you don't have to buy property coverage. Warren Buffet (and the lender) laughs all the way to the bank because we want stuff we can't afford.

It's not just the McManssions and it's not just within 1000 ft of the water. If you live in a county that is considered a coastal county the insurance companies treat everyone in that county the same. Even when you are 25 miles from the coast. I could only get hurricane coverage from the state.

this is an argument for your senator or congressman ... but your statement that since you help subsidize.. you should have rights... is pie in the sky.

What defines a "beach" that should have public access? A waterfront home on the ocean, Gulf of Mexico? What about homes on large bays, the great lakes, rivers, small lakes? Tim's house is on a lake, should his backyard be open to public access?

which makes it even more ridiculous. I live in a coastal county, but thankfully only the first 1000' to tidal water is in the wind pool. I believe Hillsborough & Monroe may be entirely within the wind pool, there are probably more...

and my opinion with regard to beachfront homes is that by artificially reducing the true insurance cost, you actually encourage construction in high-hazard zones. But those are the only places people want to live (well, except Timbo), so I guess the state is trying to make oceanfront living "affordable"?

(I won't mention the name for fear he may appear magically on this thread, but you all know the F16 guy I speak of )

Isn't some form of public access to beaches in NED the law? Why not adopt some form of this guideline?

The state or the lobbies?

Google is your friend, try "littoral zones", but I don't think there is just one definition.

Regarding Tim, hell yeah his back yard should be open! His tribe will soon be gone and he'll be an empty nester. He should convert his place to a beach club, B&B and offer FREE horse back rides with honky tonk on Saturday night. Kinda like Juana's Pagoda south. But I doubt he even has flood insurance. Water would have to be butt deep in Arcadia for him to see a change in the lake's level.