WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The property insurance industry in Florida is bracing for a potential hurricane as Helene takes aim at the state this week.
"There's a lot of uncertainty with this storm, but the one thing that is certain is we are going to see some impacts," Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday.
The governor outlined preparations for the Big Bend area, which could experience its third big storm in just over a year.
"[This area could] potentially see a larger impact than the last two storms," Mark Friedlander of the Insurance Information Institute said. "At this point, we don't know what is going to play out."

Friedlander said the insurance industry is ready to absorb the impact of the storm with capital on hand and plenty of reinsurance to handle potential claims, especially if the hurricane avoids larger cities.
"Even if it stays offshore, passing the Tampa Bay area, it could still have significant impacts in that part of the state with wind damage and storm surge," he said. "We're seeing hurricane watches and storm watches as far east as metro Orlando."

Tropical Weather
61 Florida counties under state of emergency ahead of Helene
Flood insurance, particularly Federal Flood Insurance, can handle water claims but significant wind damage does stand to upend an industry that is currently trying to stabilize with at least 36 insurers looking to hold rates steady or lower them in 2025.
Still, Friedlander said this storm, at this point, is not expected to surpass damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022, which caused $112 billion in damage.
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.

Read WPTV's latest "Coverage Collapse" stories below:
-
Study shows Floridians are swiping their way further into credit card debt
WalletHub released its latest ranking of states with the largest and smallest credit card debt. Florida ranked third highest for credit card debt behind California and Texas.Federal Reserve lowers interest rates by 0.25% for the first time in 2025
The Federal Reserve’s policy committee voted on Wednesday to cut interest rates as inflation stays above target and U.S. job growth slows.Pet surgery shock: Family faces $30K bill for cat’s surgeries
A family is facing financial shock after their kitten's surgery came with a price tag of over $30,000, highlighting the soaring costs of veterinary care.Personalized pricing: How your data could dictate the price you pay
In today's digital economy, the price people see for a product might not be the price their neighbor sees — even if you're buying at the same time. Here's what to know about "personalized pricing."