A Much-Needed Break for Floridian Wallets
Monday, January 12, 2026, marks a turning point for millions of Florida homeowners. From Broward College in Davie—once the epicenter of the insurance crisis—Governor Ron DeSantis delivered the news we have all been waiting for: property insurance premiums are falling, and significantly so.
For years, at Univista Insurance, we have stood by your side as renewal letters arrived with double- and triple-digit increases. We have navigated the storm of carrier insolvencies and rampant fraud together. But today, the data confirms that the tide has turned.
This article is not just news; it is an operational manual for you to understand exactly how much you can save, why this is happening, and most importantly, what steps you must take this week to ensure that money returns to your pocket rather than staying in the system.
The Announcement in Numbers: How Much Will Your Insurance Really Drop?
The headline is promising: a statewide average reduction of 8.7% for policyholders of Citizens Property Insurance. However, as local experts, we know that the “average” often hides the reality of local markets.
The truth is even better for South Florida. Legislative reforms have attacked the root of the problem (frivolous litigation) exactly where it hurt the most.
Savings Breakdown by County (The “Hot Spot”)
If you live in South Florida, the proposed reductions are much more aggressive than the state average. See how the new proposed rates for 2026 compare to the previous reality in this interactive chart:
- Miami-Dade: Prepare for an average reduction of 13.9%. On an annual premium of $6,000, this represents a direct saving of $834 per year.
- Broward: Homeowners here will see the biggest drop, at 14.1%. This county, historically plagued by roof claims lawsuits, is the biggest beneficiary of the reforms.
- Palm Beach: A solid reduction of 11.9%.
- Monroe (The Keys): Despite hurricane risks, market stabilization allows for an 11.3% drop for full coverage policies.
Key Data Point: “Over 150,000 Floridians will see rate reductions exceeding 10% on their next renewal.”
Beyond Citizens: The Renaissance of the Private Market
A common question we receive in our offices is: “I don’t have Citizens, does this affect me?” The answer is a resounding YES.
Citizens Property Insurance acts as the market barometer. When the “insurer of last resort” lowers its prices and reduces its size, it forces the private market to compete.
The Return of Competition (And Why It’s Good for You)
The Governor highlighted the entry of 17 new insurance companies into the Florida market in recent months. This is historic. Just two years ago, companies were fleeing the state. Now, they are lining up to insure your home.
Moves by Major Carriers:
- Florida Peninsula: Has filed for an 8.4% reduction.
- Patriot Select: Plans to lower rates by 11.3%.
- State Farm: Reports a recent cumulative reduction close to 20%.
- USAA and Florida Farm Bureau: Both project reductions between 7% and 8%.
This means you are no longer “stuck” with a single option. In 2026, Univista Insurance agents have, for the first time in years, multiple competitive quotes to put on your table.
Why Are Prices Dropping Now? (Technical Explanation Simplified)
To understand if this is sustainable, we must understand the cause. It’s not that there are fewer hurricanes (weather remains unpredictable). The reduction is financial and legal.
The End of the “Lawsuit Industry”
Until 2023, Florida held a shameful statistic: it represented only 9% of U.S. insurance claims but 79% of all lawsuits against insurers nationwide.
Reforms SB 2A and HB 837 eliminated perverse incentives:
- Elimination of One-Way Attorney Fees: Lawyers can no longer charge insurers millions in fees for winning minor disputes.
- End of Assignment of Benefits (AOB): Contractors can no longer “hijack” your policy to inflate invoices.
By removing these artificial costs (which accounted for up to 40% of your premium), insurers can now charge you for the actual risk of your home, not the risk of being sued.
The Great Depopulation of Citizens
The chart below illustrates market recovery better than any political speech. It shows how Citizens has gone from an unmanageable giant in crisis to an efficient, solvent safety net:
By transferring over a million policies to the private sector (Depopulation), the risk that you, as a taxpayer, would have to pay extra taxes (assessments) if a major hurricane hits and Citizens runs out of money is significantly reduced.
Univista Tactical Guide: How to Claim Your Savings
Here is where we move from news to action. Savings are not always automatic. As your trusted advisor, Univista recommends these strategic steps for 2026.
Strategy A: The Escrow Refund
Most of our clients pay their insurance through their mortgage. If your premium drops $800, your monthly mortgage payment will not drop tomorrow.
- The Problem: The bank adjusts your Escrow account only once a year.
- The Univista Solution:
- Renew your policy with the lower rate.
- Send the new declarations page to your mortgage servicer immediately.
- Request an “Off-cycle Escrow Analysis.” This forces the bank to recalculate your monthly payment now, rather than waiting until the end of the year, and could generate a refund check for the money you overpaid last year.
Strategy B: Cancel and Rewrite? (Mid-Term Rewrite)
If your policy renews in November, should you wait 10 months to save?
- Analysis: If the savings are greater than $500, it may be worth canceling your current policy and issuing a new one (Rewrite) to take advantage of 2026 rates today.
- Warning: Call us before doing this. Some policies have early cancellation penalties (“short-rate”) or require new inspections (4-Point Inspection) that could cost you money. We will do the math for you for free.
Strategy C: Wind Mitigation Inspection
Base rates have dropped, but protection discounts are still valid. An updated Wind Mitigation inspection can add an extra 20% to 30% discount on top of the new reduced rates. If you installed a new roof or impact windows recently, this is the time to cash in on that benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our data experts have compiled the exact questions users ask Siri and Google about this topic. Here are the definitive answers.
When do the new Citizens rates take effect in 2026?
The announced rate reductions will take effect for renewals occurring starting in the Spring of 2026 (specifically, many will begin June 1st). However, new policies issued before that date may already benefit from competitive conditions in the private market.
Why did home insurance drop in Florida?”
The reduction is primarily due to legal reforms in 2023 that curbed abusive litigation and contractor fraud. This allowed 17 new insurers to enter the market, increasing competition and lowering prices for the first time in a decade.
Is flood insurance mandatory with Citizens in 2026?”
Yes. A key part of Citizens’ solvency plan is the requirement that all its policyholders (regardless of flood zone) must have a separate flood insurance policy by 2027. For many policies, this requirement is already effective for 2026 renewals. Univista can help you find an affordable private flood policy to meet this mandate.
Your New Negotiating Power
For the first time in a long time, you have the power. The Florida insurance market has shifted from a monopoly of crisis to a competitive market. Companies are now fighting for your business.
At Univista Insurance, our mission in 2026 is not just to sell you a policy, but to manage this new abundance of options for you.
- If you are with Citizens, we will verify if the private market has a better offer (often with better coverage).
- If you are with a private carrier, we will use the new competitor rates to negotiate or move you.
Don’t leave money on the table. The historic reduction is real, but it only benefits those who take action.
📢 Want to know exactly how much YOUR specific house will save?
Don’t rely on averages. Get the exact number today.
📞 Call now: (305) 995-0032
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