Up and down the Florida coast, condo owners are waking up to a new reality as insurance rates rise, and coverage declines.
The change in rates comes in the wake of last June’s collapse at the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, a collapse that killed almost 100 people.
“We received a new quote and the quote was 50% more than what we were paying,” said attorney Mitch Goldman, whose office is in a Cocoa condo. “We’ve had no claims in the last year and more deductibles in essence 50% less coverage.”
Goldman not only works in a condo, he lives in one too, and part of his practice is representing condo associations.
“Insurance is getting more expensive and harder to come by,” says Goldman.
In addition to rates increasing, many insurers are also requesting an inspection and any required repairs.
“There is increased scrutiny all over the state it really comes down to the pricing impact and as is typical the pricing impact seems to be a lot higher in southeast Florida or more coastal areas than inland,” says Kyle Ulrich the CEO of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents.
There are more than 440 condos in Brevard County that are at least 40 years old, and another 150 in Volusia.
Florida lawmakers did consider a bill to require inspections and reserve funds, but it did not pass and is not expected to be taken up until 2023.