TAMPA, Fla. – The My Safe Florida Home or MSFH programme is popular.
State money is given to Florida homeowners to help them storm-proof their homes, with the goal of reducing damage, claims and premiums. But is there any evidence that it works? And if it does, why can’t new applicants sign up for the programme?
For years, 8 On Your Side has been exposing the crushing cost of insurance in Florida. Lawmakers make reforms, but families never see any relief. Rates go only one way, up.
Earlier this year, we spoke with Beth Moran, a homeowner concerned about her insurance.
“I think it’s important to bring this to the attention of the powers that be,” she said.
Researcher Mahsa Saeidi has been following Florida’s special legislative session. The session, which has focused on support for Israel, has also brought good news for property insurance.
Our 8 On Your Side report on Monday mentioned the companion bills, S.B. 2-C and H.B. 1-C, currently moving through the Florida House and Senate. The bills would increase disaster funding and reduce property and sales taxes.
“I think a lot of people complain that we’re not doing enough, but this is actually working,” said State Senator Linda Stewart, an Orange County Democrat.
Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s chief financial officer, is in charge of administering the MSFH programme.
“It’s less of a risk, less likely that we’ll have to pay a claim,” he told lawmakers on Monday.
CFO Patronis said the MSFH programme lowers rates by an average of $1,000 a year. If you qualify, the state helps pay for upgrades to your windows, doors and roof.
After our report, we started getting emails from homeowners who were also desperate to save money. They wanted to sign up for the MSFH scheme, but now they can’t.
When you go to the website, it says they are ‘not accepting new applications’.
In fact, more than 17,600 people are already on a waiting list for the programme.
Lawmakers say they’ll approve $176 million to clear the backlog, but for now they’re not allocating any more money.
That means new homeowners can’t sign up and it’s pretty much guaranteed they won’t see any rate relief.
After Tuesday’s session, Florida House Speaker Paul Renner took questions from reporters.
“Again, special sessions are limited in focus,” Speaker Renner said.
“Given how big this is, why not open it up to condo owners?” one reporter asked.
“We might,” he said.
Other reporters asked why more money wasn’t being spent on the MSFH programme.
“Why aren’t you putting every single dollar you can into this programme if it’s actually saving people a thousand dollars on their premium?” one asked.
“I agree with you that we should look at what else we can do in the area of hardening, and we will look at that in the regular session. I think this is a really, really important area,” replied Speaker Renner.
The Florida Senate President’s office and the CFO tell 8 On Your Side they support expanding the programme. Discussions will continue during the regular session in January.
Governor Ron DeSantis has supported the MSFH programme in the past. He’s expected to sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
