PCI Assistant Vice President and Regional Mananger William Stander, stated “Chief Financial Officer Sink is taking appropriate steps to improve the “My Safe Florida Home Program” (MSFH) and ensure there is better coordination between the state and private insurers regarding hurricane readiness inspections.
The MSFH program helps homeowners identify how they can strengthen their homes and reduce the overall risk of hurricane damage. The program offers eligible homeowners a free home inspection by trained and qualified hurricane mitigation inspectors. Those who received these inspections also have the opportunity to apply for a matching grant for 50 percent of the actual cost of the recommended improvements, up to $5,000. However, the state certified inspectors were not providing the necessary documentation that carriers require to offer insurance premium discounts. CFO Sink’s emergency rule fills in this gap.
“We want to encourage consumers to strengthen their homes,” said Stander. “Fortifying homes, from future storm damage can help to save lives and reduce property damage. In the long run these efforts help to reduce insurance costs and help ease the state’s insurance crisis. This spring the program was expanded statewide and we would like to see as many homeowners as possible participate.”