Why insurance companies are pulling out of California and Florida, and how to fix some of the underlying problems
The ConversationJun 05, 2023
The Facts
Farmers Insurance announced Tuesday it was dropping home, auto, and umbrella policies across Florida due to increased risks of hurricanes. Though the company declined to say how many customers would be impacted, it's estimated that 93K-100K Floridians hold Farmers policies.
A company said customers who use Farmers' subsidiaries like Foremost Signature and Bristol West will continue to be served while others "will receive notifications detailing when their coverage will end and will be advised of options for replacement coverage." State law requires a 120-day notice.
The Spin
Narrative A
As climate change-induced natural disasters make it increasingly hard for both residents and insurance companies to stay afloat in states like Florida, there are potential solutions that both insurance companies and governments must take. They should run various climate scenarios to know what weather is coming, create incentives for customers to fortify their property from damage, and incorporate climate risk into their policies.
Narrative B
While weather is undoubtedly a contribution, the main reasons insurance companies are in this predicament are because of lawsuits, fraud, and loose regulations. For example, contractors will offer to fix a roof if the homeowner signs over their insurance benefit; contractors are then able to file whatever claim they want, and when the insurer refuses to pay, the contractor sues. The majority of these claims and subsequent lawsuits are seen in Florida, which is why it is the worst state for home insurance.
