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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announces Citizens Insurance rate reduction, car insurance relief

About 19% of Citizens Insurance policyholders in Palm Beach County will see rate reduction, DeSantis says

WPTV

Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a news conference at Florida International University on Feb. 5, 2025.

By: Scott Sutton

Posted

and last updated

MIAMI — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced significant reductions in the cost of insurance for some drivers and homeowners in Florida this year.

It's an issue that WPTV News and senior reporter Matt Sczesny have closely followed for the last several years.

The governor made the announcement during an hour-long news conference at Florida International University.

WATCH BELOW: Gov. DeSantis says rate reductions are 'justifiable'

Gov. DeSantis announces home, car insurance relief

The governor said over 20% of Citizens Insurance policyholders statewide will experience rate decreases averaging 5.6% in 2025.

"Overall, statewide, most of the decreases are concentrated in South Florida," DeSantis said.

Citizens Insurance policyholders will see the following price cuts in 2025, according to the governor:

Palm Beach County:
* Nearly 19% of Citizens policyholders will see a decrease

Miami-Dade County
* 73% of Citizens policyholders will receive an average decrease of 6.3%

Broward County
* 52% of Citizens policyholders will receive an average decrease of 4.5%

WATCH BELOW: DeSantis announces home insurance rate reduction for Citizens policyholders

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announces home, car insurance relief

This announcement is in contrast to what Citizens policyholders were expecting after the board for the state's insurer of last resort approved a rate hike of 14% in June for 2025. However, state regulators never approved that increase.

DeSantis was joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie and Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Commissioner Michael Yaworsky for Wednesday's big announcement.

"Reforms are working," Yaworksy said. "Market stability ... is emerging throughout our state."

The governor cited action by the state legislature in the past few years helping stabilize the market.

"We can't control storms. We can't control inflation nationwide," DeSantis said. "There's a lot of things that are beyond our control, but providing a solid marketplace is one."

Cheaper car insurance for Florida drivers

In addition to the reduction for Citizens home insurance policyholders, DeSantis said many drivers in Florida can expect cheaper bills this year.

The governor announced the following decrease statewide for auto insurance policyholders of these three companies

Geico: 10.5% decrease
Progressive: 8.1% decrease
State Farm: 6% decrease

"And we have others that are going to be doing things very soon, so we anticipate to see decreases for USAA and maybe some other companies as well," DeSantis said.

Since 2019, Florida has passed five laws — three on tort reform and two on consumer protection — in an effort to reverse years of insurance market instability.

Key legislative reforms included:

HB 7065 (2019), which curbed abusive litigation tied to Assignment of Benefits (AOBs)
SB 76 (2021), which tightened claim deadlines and encouraged dispute resolution over lawsuits
SB 2D (2022), eliminating one-way attorney fees for AOBs, limiting roofing scams and creating a $2 billion Reinsurance to Assist Policyholders (RAP) program
SB 2A (2022) further worked reduced frivolous litigation, strengthened insurer accountability and protected consumers

Matt Sczesny is determined every day to help you find solutions in Florida's coverage collapse. If you have a question or comment on homeowners insurance, you can reach out to him any time.