If you own a home in Manatee or Hillsborough County, you already know the pain: homeowners insurance premiums in Florida are among the highest in the country — and they keep rising.
The average Florida homeowner now pays significantly more than the national average. In some coastal areas, policies have doubled or tripled in just a few years. And in many parts of our district — from Bradenton to Riverview to Sun City Center — families are being priced out of coverage entirely.
This isn't just a Florida state problem. It's a federal problem — and it requires federal leadership.
How Much Is Homeowners Insurance in Florida?
Florida homeowners pay some of the highest premiums in the United States. While the national average hovers around $1,400–$1,800 per year, Florida homeowners in many districts pay $3,000–$6,000 or more annually — with some coastal and high-risk properties seeing far higher rates.
Several factors drive Florida's insurance crisis:
1. Litigation Abuse
Florida accounts for a disproportionate share of all U.S. homeowners insurance lawsuits — not because we have more claims, but because predatory attorneys and assignment-of-benefits (AOB) schemes have made our state a target. When insurers pay out inflated claims from litigation, they raise premiums — or leave the market entirely.
2. Hurricane and Climate Risk
Florida's geography makes it one of the most hurricane-exposed states in the nation. As storms become more intense, actuarial risk increases, which drives up premiums.
3. Reinsurance Costs
Insurance companies buy their own insurance (called reinsurance) from global markets. When global reinsurance costs spike — as they did after major 2020–2024 storm seasons — those costs flow directly to Florida homeowners.
4. Insurer Exits
Over a dozen insurance companies have left the Florida market in recent years, reducing competition and pushing homeowners onto Citizens Property Insurance (the state's insurer of last resort) at potentially unaffordable rates.
What Can Congress Do?
Federal Reinsurance Backstop
Congress could establish a federal catastrophic reinsurance program to stabilize the market during high-loss years, similar to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This would reduce volatility and help insurers stay in Florida's market.
Litigation Reform at the Federal Level
Federal tort reform targeting abusive lawsuit practices in insurance claims — especially the excessive fee arrangements that fuel predatory litigation — would directly lower claims costs and, over time, premiums.
Reforming the National Flood Insurance Program
Millions of Floridians in Manatee and Hillsborough counties carry NFIP policies. Reforming the NFIP to make it financially sustainable and keep rates predictable is a direct federal responsibility.
Tax Incentives for Mitigation
Federal tax credits for hurricane-hardening upgrades (impact windows, reinforced roofs, storm shutters) would help homeowners lower their own risk profiles — and their premiums.
My Plan for Florida's 16th District
When I'm elected to Congress, lowering insurance costs for families in Bradenton, Riverview, Lakewood Ranch, Brandon, and Sun City Center will be a priority from day one.
I will:
- Support a federal catastrophic reinsurance program to stabilize the Florida market
- Push for federal litigation reform to end predatory insurance lawsuits
- Work to reform and stabilize the NFIP to protect Manatee and Hillsborough coastal homeowners
- Fight against any regulations that make it harder for private insurers to compete in Florida
- Advocate for federal tax incentives for home hardening to reduce risk and premiums
The families of Florida's 16th District deserve real relief — not more political promises. I've spent my career solving real problems in the private sector. I'll bring that same approach to Washington.
John Peters is the Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Florida's 16th District. Learn more at johnpetersforcongress.com or donate today.
Read more about my positions on my complete platform or support the campaign.