WPTV hosts live town hall in Port St. Lucie on Florida's insurance crisis

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — For many months we've heard your stories about Florida's insurance crisis — the crushing costs of premium increases, canceled policies and the struggle to stay in your homes.

You turned to WPTV, and we've been determined every day to get you answers and solutions.

On Tuesday, we held a live town hall in Port St. Lucie hosted by WPTV's Matt Sczesny and Meghan McRoberts.

WATCH BELOW: WPTV hosts insurance town hall in Port St. Lucie

Attendees who were part of the audience were encouraged to ask questions to the panelists.

The panel included:

• State Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City
• District 84 Democratic State Rep. candidate Andi Poli
• Home inspection expert Calvin Johnson
• President of Security First Insurance Melissa Burt DeVriese

Some of the residents who attended the town hall told WPTV that if their rates increase anymore, they may have to leave the state.

"If my insurance goes up next year more, I'm going to move," Elaine, who did not give her last name, said.

She said her insurance premium increased from $2,300 a year to $6,400 even after the installation of a new roof, improved wind mitigation and a hurricane-rated garage door.

State Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City, offered some hope for homeowners like Elaine.

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"As we go forward, it is getting better," Overdorf said. "The [home insurance] market's getting better. We're seeing that by nine new insurance companies coming into the state of Florida."

Overdorf suggested that Elaine and others in her predicament to shop around for better polices.

"I believe that with all of the items you have just declared, and the items you have said that you have increased your home, I would say there is an insurance company out there that would probably be a competitive market for you and potentially have a decrease in your rate."

A military veteran named Dennis, who lives in Port St. Lucie, wondered why insurance rates continue to increase.

President of Security First Insurance Melissa Burt DeVriese called Florida "an incredibly difficult market," which has caused 11 companies to go out of business.

"A lot of companies have either gone out of the state or reduced their exposure," DeVriese said. "Our rates are very heavily regulated. They're set by the state. They're capped at the actual cost of the policy plus a profit, max of 4.5%. While there might be some companies in the world that are making a lot of money, Florida's been a really difficult place to do business."

Calvin Johnson, the owner of Vcita Home Inspection & Services of Port St. Lucie, offered some advice to residents to help in reducing the price of their premiums.

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"[The insurance companies] are looking at your home for risk," Johnson said. "What is the risk of us if we take on this policy."

DeVriese said the most important thing a consumer can do, if they have an old roof, is to replace it.

"It varies by company, but you can save anywhere from 20-40% if you go from having an old roof to having a new roof," DeVriese said. "Getting an inspection is the first step to know what else you might be able to do to save money."

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.

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