4 Florida Homeowners Insurance Companies DROPPING Rates… But Ouch Those Online Reviews

Homeowners insurance in Florida has become a joke over the years. You constantly hear about rates doubling and sometimes even worse. But Channel 8 reports tonight that there are 9 insurers that are actually filing for rate decreases this year. Good news right? Well maybe not.

That doesn't necessarily mean these insurers have the best rates for you. Current customers can look forward to paying less. Maybe your Florida homeowners insurance provider is one of these. In that case, it's definitely good news. But online reviews of these companies are mixed to say the least. Then again, do people really go online to praise an insurance company?

Another that made the list is Florida Peninsula Insurance Company. They're based in Boca Raton. They have over 200,000 policies in force according to their website. But unfortunately this is another one that seems to have some issues with keeping customers happy. Their Better Business Bureau customer review score is a 1 out of 5. Ouch. I'm not sure how the BBB comes up with their rating, but they do give Florida Peninsula Insurance an A+ score.

Southern Oak Insurance Company in Palm Valley, Florida seems to have a decent score at least on Google Reviews. Their 4.2 out of 5 stars is pretty impressive. But reading through the first 2 one-star reviews at the top when you sort by "most relevant" shows some issues. Reviewer Sarah said they make "everything impossible to accomplish." Heath said he found Southern Oak's rates 40% higher than everyone else.

I figured I'd try one more to see if there's any hope! Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Company is based right here in St. Pete. They offer home, condo and rental property insurance according to their website. Unfortunately, their Better Business Bureau customer reviews score is also rather scary, 1.56 stars out of 5. Their score from the BBB is a B+.

This is all pretty bleak. I'd love to share some GOOD news and help our listeners find reliable, honest Florida homeowners insurance companies. Drop me an email (geno.knight@bbgi.com) and let me know the company you like. What makes you a fan? Are their rates fair? Were they helpful when you had to file a claim?

It happens every year, usually multiple Florida cities rank in the top 10 for best places to live in the U.S.. U.S. News and World Report just dropped the rankings for 2024-2025 and only 1 Florida city not only made the top 10 but was ranked #1 for the best place to live in the U.S.

U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Live rankings have been popular for many years. It's a very trusted source because of all the research they do to come up with these rankings. Their mission is to help their readers make informed decisions on where they want to settle down.

The cities in the rankings are evaluated based on data from U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. News' own internal resources. The data was then categorized into 4 different factors based on American's preferences. Those factors are: quality of life, desirability, job market, and value. Now, I won't bore you with the mathematics of it all, but if you want to learn more about how U.S. News and World Report calculated these cities scores, click here for the full methodology.

It's not the first time this Florida city has made this list. But it is the first time Naples was named #1 for best places to live in the U.S.. Naples is known to be more of a retirement community, and even with threats from hurricanes, it's still not stopping people from moving here in droves. U.S. News and World Report says "the greater Naples area supplies pristine beaches, sprawling golf courses, and fine dining and shopping."

Naples wasn't the only Florida city to make the rankings. But it WAS the only Florida city to crack the top 10.

We already told you that Naples was the named the #1 city to live in the U.S., even if most of its residents only live there during the winter months.  

Sarasota has a unique charm compared to its other coastal cities. It has a very vibrant art scene, beautiful beaches, great food and restaurants. Sarasota was also considered a "retirement community" but that is changing as more young professionals make it their own up-and-coming city.

White sand beaches is the main reason why Pensacola is so desirable. U.S. News and World Report says "Year round, the city’s vibrant nightlife is balanced by an abundance of family-friendly activities and a community atmosphere."

Finally Tampa made the list! We're used to seeing Tampa higher up in these rankings, and definitely thought it would be higher based on all the people moving here just in the past year alone. The cost of living in Tampa is slightly higher than the national average, and the housing market has become so competitive in recent years. But out of all the cities in Florida, we're happy to call Tampa home.  

Situated between Tampa and Miami on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Fort Myers is a growing city. If you're an outdoor enthusiast who loves humidity, Fort Myers is the place for you. The have miles of freshwater and saltwater channels for boating and fishing; trails for biking, hiking and paddling; and golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools and shuffleboard courts. 

Florida's space coast is great for retirees, families, and young professionals. So we're pretty surprised to see it ranked at #49. The median monthly rent here is about $1,400 and you can even find homes for under $300,000.

Did you know Jacksonville is the largest metro area by land mass in the continental U.S? Jacksonville has also been listed in affordable Florida cities and one of the best places to start a career.

Orlando is so massive that it's broken up into 3 different areas: Downtown Orlando, Residential "City Beautiful" Orlando, and of course, theme park capital Orlando. The cost of housing in Orlando is close to the national median sale price, although like with many markets, home prices have soared here in recent years.