FLORIDA INSURANCE DISCOUNTS MAY HIDE UNDER ROOF

The state’s My Safe Florida Home Program helped tens of thousands of homeowners find insurance discounts by paying for inspections and providing grants for qualified Floridians to strengthen their dwellings against storms. After inspections through the My Safe Florida Home Program, the state deemed 212,268 homeowners eligible for an average discount of $218.15 based on an average premium of $1,081.78.
The program reached its mandated goals and ran out of money in July. But “there is nothing to prohibit the homeowner from going to the inspector directly,” said Tami Torres, program administrator for the My Safe
Florida Home Program.
The cost is about $150.
Torres cautions homeowners to ensure they use licensed inspectors who are trained and certified. She said the Legislature is being asked to established sanctions for those who cheat homeowners with fraudulent inspections. Brian Cesare, the certified inspector who reviewed Karsa’s home, said some inspectors have offered questionable inspections for $25.
“I’m really suspicious of that,” said Cesare, owner of OSI Inspection Services in St. Petersburg.
Otherwise, Cesare, who performs 100 inspections a month, said his customers generally realize some discount benefit. “It’s like a stimulus package.”
Ivan Penn can be reached at ipenn@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2332.
So here’s the Edge