Homeowners still dealing with rising insurance rates after My Safe Florida Home funds run dry

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida homeowners are still getting hammered by rising insurance rates and some people are getting their policies dropped altogether.

Funds for new My Safe Florida Home applicants have run dry. The popular program promises to bring down homeowners' property insurance premiums by hardening up their homes.

Officials said the program has been "an amazing success" since it offers free home inspections and up to $10,000 for home improvements and upgrades.

Last week, officials said they had to pause initial inspection applications because funding was exhausted.

The update was an unwelcome surprise for Brenda Piccirillo.

"I don't have hurricane impact windows and that's very scary," said Piccirillo.

Piccirillo says her frustrations are two-fold.

She could not apply for the My Safe Florida Home grant because the program ran out of money. Piccirillo also recently received a notice regarding her upcoming policy renewal.

"Citizens is saying we may or may not pass you off with a new company and you may or may not see an increase with this company," said Piccirillo. "I have no idea who this company is or where they come from."

According to the Citizens Property Insurance website, more than 132,000 homeowner policies have been dropped since the beginning of the year.

"My concern is because I didn't get my windows redone and my house is older and I have a wood frame house, my insurance rate could go up," Piccirillo said.

Recent hurricanes and the high cost of litigation have been a catalyst for insurance companies to issue non-renewal notices.

"Just older windows in and of itself wouldn't be a reason to be non-renewed or to not get coverage," said Rob Samuels, Vice President of Personal Insurance for The Horton Group. "As long as there's no issue with them as far as a broken window or something that's an underwriting issue."

According to the Citizens Property Insurance website:

Citizens is committed to helping its policyholders find coverage in the private market. As required by Florida law, the Citizens' Depopulation Program matches Citizens policyholders with insurance companies interested in removing their policy from Citizens and providing private-market coverage for their policy.

Commercial Residential policies that receive an offer of coverage that is not more than 20% greater than Citizens' premium are ineligible to remain with Citizens.