According to their survey on the most expensive states for homeowners insurance costs, Forbes magazine ranks Florida number six in the country. The survey is based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners most recent study of insurance premiums, drawn on 2005 data due to lags in state reporting procedures.

Multiple factors are used in the analysis, not necessarily just the threat of a single disaster. Hurricanes, tornados, and floods make the headlines, but hail and wind cause more damage on average. Building costs are another important consideration. Insurance typically pays out at replacement cost (the amount it would take in labor and materials to replace/rebuild the property) and the rising costs of such items are eventually reflected in the costs an insurance company must pay for repairs. Accordingly, states where Mother Nature is usually unkind tend to have the highest average annual insurance costs.

Tags: Florida, homeowner insurance

For those of you not yet aware, Amendment 5 will be appearing on the November 4th ballot here in Florida. The amendment will allow voters to decide whether or not they will decrease their real estate taxes (by as much as 25%) by replacing “state required school property taxes with other state revenues.”

Once again, Lee County Property Appraiser Ken Wilkinson (Father of Save Our Homes), helped the committee that developed the new amendment and they believe its passage will “remove the unfunded mandate of required local effort from the backs of Florida taxpayers.”

Tags: Florida, legislature, taxes

The deadlines for registering to vote in Florida are drawing nearer. Especially for the August 26th Florida primary elections. Residents intending to vote in that primary have only until Monday, July 28th to complete the voter registration process. Those who want to vote in the general election on November 4th have more time as that deadline isn’t until Monday October 6th.

And, if you have moved, you need to contact your Supervisor of Elections as both Federal and State laws require you to vote in your precinct of residence. If you simply moved within the same county, you may provide a signed, written notice, call or send an e-mail to your Supervisor of Elections. However, if you’ve moved to another Florida county, use the Florida Voter Registration Application to change your address. You can obtain a Florida Voter Registration Application online by visiting http://election.dos.state.fl.us/voter-registration.

Tags: Florida, living

It should come as no surprise that Lee County is the fastest growing Metro area in Florida for 2007. Combining absolutely year round gorgeous weather (average mean temperature 83 degrees), 50 miles of white sandy beaches, and being named as one of the Top 10 U.S. Travel Destinations has produced a 3.6 percent (20,475) increase in residents from 2006 to 2007. Already known as a retirement mecca, the Lee Island Coast, encompassing Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero and Ft. Myers, is rapidly growing due to increasing employment opportunities and peoples’ desires to live and work in a sub-tropical paradise.

Tags: Florida, growth

Under a new law signed by Governor Crist, landlords can now charge liquidated damages or an early termination fee if you break your lease. However, the new law also provides limits and rules that must be followed before a tenant may be charged. For instance, the early termination fee cannot exceed two months’ rent, and the landlord cannot require the tenant to give more than 60 days notice.

The law became effective Monday and only applies to new or renewal leases. The primary requirement is prior tenant agreement to pay the fees being part of the contract and, to collect an early termination fee; a landlord must present the tenant with a separate addendum that offers two choices. The tenant either agrees to pay the fee should he choose to move before the end of the lease period, or acknowledges that the landlord could still seek damages as provided by law.

Tags: Florida, living

Just recently, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson (gotta love his name - how apropos) announced taking legal action against a Sarasota County company for violating the State Do Not Call law. The legal action seeks an injunction prohibiting the offending company from making any future calls to residents on the list and fines of up to $10,000 for each of the calls made to the prohibited phone numbers is possible. Commissioner Bronson said “the message is that this activity will not be tolerated.”

Bronson’s department has collected or obtained judgments of more than $1.5 million against companies that have called residents on the list. Bronson encourages Floridians to join the program. For more information, consumers can call the department’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-435-7352 or visit the Division of Consumer Services website at www.800helpfla.com.

Tags: Florida, growth

Another hurricane season is set to officially begin this weekend and it is important for Florida Gulf Coast residents to pay attention and be prepared. With two recent years of above-average storm forecasts and below-average actual storms, many residents may feel confused about what to expect this year. Government forecasters officially predict six to nine hurricanes in 2008, with up to five becoming major storms. They also say the chances for an above-average season are about 65 percent; the chances for a normal season about 25 percent; and the chances for a slow season about 10 percent. Unfortunately, for many Floridians, the forecasted outlook seems like nothing more than a guess.

Tags: homeowner insurance, hurricane preparedness