Oddly enough, Steve, there seem to be parts of the state that aren't as badly affected by the insurance problem, but here in the Tampa area it's out of control. The (last resort) state run Citizens Insurance Co. has to, by law, charge 20% more than the highest quoted commercial premium. One of the local TV stations ran the case of a guy in South Tampa whose house (shack, really) had been appraised for $124,000 and got an insurance bill of $5600 from Citizens. This was extreme but shows the extent of the problem. When we moved here just over two years ago, our premium was @ $5400, now it's over $9000. Unless there is some legislative relief, only the very wealthy will be able to afford to live here (or the uninsured). If you do end up shoping for a house in Florida, make sure you get several insurance estimates before you sign on the dotted line.

chas

PS: It is nice and warm here, though.


[This message has been edited by cgiles (edited 11-17-2006).]

[This message has been edited by cgiles (edited 11-17-2006).]