For the second time this year, USAA, which insures 280,000 people in Florida, is back asking for an increase in their insurance rates. Earlier this year, USAA had an average rate increase of 8% approved by the state of Florida, but apparently they have decided that that is not enough. They are back again asking for a average rate increase of about 40%.

The company made the request on Friday to the state office of insurance regulation. It would seem that this office needs to do a bit more regulating and less increasing. I have included contact information for the commissioners office if you would like to contact them.

Office of the Commissioner

200 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0305
850-413-3140

The current elected officials appear to want to maintain their position and control of state government, before they risk their status trying to fix, or make worse in some cases, the insurance crisis.

Republicans intend to roll out their own plan, but not until after September’s primary. The still-developing plan centers on a pledge to take action after the general election — once the governor’s office, Cabinet posts and House and Senate seats are again in Republican control. “What I think we should avoid is, during campaign season, to make sure we don’t mix politics with policy,” said Rep. Ray Sansom, R-Destin, who is set to become speaker in 2008 and is now part of Speaker-designate Marco Rubio’s leadership team.

Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings, chairwoman of the governor’s insurance-crisis committee, says legislative fixes will begin to emerge around Thanksgiving.

Should we wait until after the election and allow our current elected officials who have caused this issue maintain their positions? Please, now write, email, or call your representatives and let them know that you want this issue fixed now. Lets force them to call a special session.

Govenor Jeb Bush’s insurance crisis committe held its first meeting Tuesday and took aim at the Democratic plan for relief. Now, is this really time for partisian politics to get in the way of possible solutions to the insurance crisis? For their part, Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings promised Tuesday that “everything is on the table,” including the Democratic proposal.

In the recent Paige St. John article in Florida Today it was stated that Bush’s office asked insurance regulators to scrutinize the proposal offered by campaigning Democrats. A draft of that analysis concludes the plan would have resulted in huge deficits in the past two hurricane-heavy years. “They should be able to defend their ideas,” Bush said. “If it’s wrong, admit it. What we shouldn’t do is allow a one-dimensional discussion to take place.”

The House Democratic plan, supported by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rod Smith, would have the state cover the first $100,000 in hurricane claims.

During these times where the individual and business growth in the state of Florida is at risk, please contact your state representative and let them know that you want an issue to the insurance crisis not. If you do not know who your elected state official is you can go to www.myfloridahouse.com or www.flsenate.gov and find your local representative. If you need help finding this information, please email us at info@floridainsurancecrisis.com