Florida has more than one million property owners covered by that state-run Citizens Insurance program. Over the next two years those policy holders could see their windstorm insurance rates go up by as much as 50% under the latest Senate bill aimed at shrinking the number of homes covered by Citizens.

After 2016 the bill proposes windstorm coverage by Citizens for owners of homes worth less then $500,000.00. Those owners with homes of higher property values will be forced to find a private insurance policy regardless of the expense.

Lawmakers defend the latest bill by saying restrictions on Citizens are necessary because they fear a once-in-a-century storm like Hurricane Andrew would leave Florida taxpayers on the hook for billions because Citizens does not have enough money to cover its losses, estimated at $22.2 billion, in a catastrophic storm

“It’s dead wrong…for us to perpetuate the life of Citizens” said Alan Hays.

“This is an unfortunate decision by the Senate as it will negatively impact Homeowners across the State. It will be impossible for any homeowner to get a new insurance policy without a certified hurricane protection system being installed in their home. What this means is that residents of Florida must take seriously the concept of protecting their home for a catastrophic event or the once-in-a-lifetime hurricane.” says Scott Berman President of Florida Window and Door.