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Lynne McChristian
Our blogger, Lynne McChristian, is the Florida representative for the Insurance Information Institute and is based in Tampa.
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About this Blog
No one can predict the future, but insurers have to try. That is the very nature of the insurance business -- to price and sell a product before the true cost of hurricanes, floods, wildfires and other types of claims are known. Private insurance companies must operate their businesses to have the money on hand – in advance – to pay anticipated claims. They can't go back and make up the difference if they get it wrong. This blog’s goal is to help Florida residents understand their insurance coverage, the issues and their choices. The more you know the better the insurance decisions you make.
Category Archives: General
Earthquakes are one natural disaster Floridians don’t worry about
Southern California has about 10,000 earthquakes each year, most of them so small that no one notices. In Florida, hurricanes may leave us quaking, but there is little risk for earthquakes. There was a tremor in September of 2006 in … Continue reading
Posted in General
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Buyer be aware: Insurers will not write policies when storms approach
Hurricane Whatever is headed to a town near you, and you decide that “going bare” on insurance no longer seems like such a good idea. Too late. When the National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm warning or hurricane watch … Continue reading
Citizens Insurance shows true cost of digging out of (sink)hole
We have a darn good example of how claims costs affect insurance premiums, courtesy of Citizens Property Insurance Corp,, the state-run insurer and a nonprofit entity. Â Citizens got approval from its board of governors to increase rates substantially for its … Continue reading
Florida drivers need protection from uninsured motorists
With driving come a number of responsibilities. Some people take these responsibilities seriously. They drive the speed limit (or relatively close to it). They do not text and drive, and they use a hands-free device if they talk on a … Continue reading
Posted in Auto, General, Uninsured motorists
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Insurance shopping website left customers holding empty bag
Governor Rick Scott closed down a website that his predecessor launched in 2007 that was intended to help consumers compare property insurance rates throughout Florida. When it was launched, the website was touted as an interactive tool to help Floridians … Continue reading
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Lightning Safety: Florida #1 for lightning strikes
This week is Lightning Safety Awareness Week (June 19-25), and by reading this, you are now officially aware. In the darkness of last evening, the light show created by bolts jaggedly dropping from clouds around Tampa Bay was illuminating in … Continue reading
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Hurricane season: ho-hum or ho-boy?
The hurricane outlook for 2011 predicts this will be an active season. That’s what they said last year, too, and they were right. Check out the 2010 hurricane season summary which describes how and why last year had the third … Continue reading
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Some sinkhole loopholes to close with pending bill
Making changes in Florida’s property insurance market is an annual legislative event, with change ranging from tweaks to massive overhauls. This year was no exception, and brings benefits for consumers that you should know about. If SB 408 is signed … Continue reading
State of Florida too deeply into insurance biz?
Florida is deeply into the insurance business, and many people think we are in too deep. No other state has anything that comes close to the behemoth state-run insurance company called Citizens Property Insurance, which is a fitting name – … Continue reading
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Tornadoes’ warning: Of safe rooms and alerts
Parts of the South were pummeled by tornadoes, and the death toll is rising. After any disaster, first thoughts are for those who lost their lives and those whose homes and lives have been uprooted. The next thoughts should be … Continue reading
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