As someone who covers these trends extensively, I’ve seen firsthand how this shift is catching homeowners off guard. The scenario is especially prevalent in Florida, where homeowners are already struggling with eye-watering insurance premiums and widespread policy cancellations. Just imagine the shock Adele Barron felt when her insurance company told her she had one month to fix the buckling pavement outside her home, or risk losing her coverage altogether. The repair? It cost $7,000.
A New Era of Scrutiny
This isn’t just a Florida problem. Across the country, insurers are stepping up their efforts to reduce their own risk by increasing inspections. According to industry experts, this isn’t about fixing issues after the fact anymore. Now, it’s all about preventing the problems from happening in the first place.
For example, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Florida’s state-backed insurer of last resort, is set to conduct a staggering 400,000 inspections this year—a 166% increase compared to last year. Although these inspections don’t always lead to premium hikes, the outcome for homeowners is often an unexpected repair bill or the risk of policy cancellation. In some cases, homeowners are being forced to replace items like 14-year-old water heaters, despite the “lifetime warranty” they were promised.
