Senate Democrats warn that Florida’s state-backed property insurer of last resort is barreling toward a federal bailout. The insurer, Citizens, says the Senate is causing unnecessary panic. Florida Republicans in Congress are imploring their state-level counterparts to act. And Florida’s Republican-led state legislature says it already has.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis is blaming the weather and inflation.
The political finger-pointing surrounding Florida’s property insurance crisis underscores just how significant an issue it is in the 2024 elections — and how big a liability it could be for Republicans. Florida homeowners have seen insurance premiums skyrocket in recent years as private insurers left the market. And they could be on the hook to pay out Citizens’ claims if there is a major storm.