Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal, said in a June 24 post that the My Safe Florida Home program is helping state residents save money on insurance.
"The My Safe Florida Home program has been a big success, helping Floridians harden their home and save on insurance," said Patronis. "When applying, make sure you are working with the real deal and don't be fooled by bad actors."
According to the program’s website, the My Safe Florida Home program allocates grant funding for home strengthening improvements to protect homes from hurricanes. These improvements include roof covering upgrades, door and window upgrades, and roof-to-wall connection reinforcement.
The Tallahassee Democrat reported that the program also offers free home inspections for qualifying Floridians. Receiving the home inspection can lead to reduced home insurance premiums for residents, while any hurricane readiness improvements completed as a result of the program can reduce premiums even further. Homeowners who have received grants for home improvements through the program report an average of $1,014 in savings on insurance each year.
The My Safe Florida Home Program was initially launched in 2006. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, lawmakers brought the program back in 2022 as a result of a special legislative session on Florida’s insurance crisis. More than 26,000 grants were approved through the program last year.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky said in May that Florida’s insurance markets are showing signs of improvement this year. According to a press release, Yaworsky stated that insurance reforms spearheaded by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the state legislature, and the Financial Services Commission have contributed to the first downward trend in rate filings in years. At least eight insurance companies filed rate decreases for 2024, while ten other companies filed 0% rate increases. In the wake of these reforms, eight new companies were also approved to write home insurance policies in Florida.
Patronis previously served as a member of the Florida Elections Commission and as a State Representative from 2006 to 2014. According to the state CFO website, as CFO Patronis oversees the licensing of insurance agents and agencies.