My Safe Florida Homes program successfully storm-proofs homes
Take control of insurance costs
BY HANNAH BUNNING Special to the News news@gulfbreezenews.com

Gulf Breeze homeowners found relief from rising insurance premiums by utlizing a state program called My Safe Florida Home.

For those who have seen their insurance rates drastically increase and want a way to change it, there is still hope.

The My Safe Florida Home program offers free wind inspections to help people determine how safe their homes are from the damages of hurricane season, as well as help them lower their insurance rates.

MSFH is a state sponsored organization that has been in existence since 2007, but it has recently been clarified that grants from the program will no longer be taxed. Without this recent ruling recipients could have faced tax rates of 25 percent of the amount they received for their grant.

Donna Alley, a Gulf Breeze resident, recently had her insurance rates lowered by having a representative come to her home and do a free inspection.

Alley had hurricane damage on her residence from Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. Her home had flooding, roof and tree damage, as well as some outside damage.

After the hurricanes, Alley's insurance premiums went up 314 percent, and as a result of the MSFH inspection, she was able to reduce them to the previous rates.

Her house, which was built in 1992, had protection that she didn't know about. It was discovered through the program. The report from her inspection was mailed to her home about six weeks later.

Alley contacted her insurance agent at State Farm with the report, and her premiums were lowered by thousands of dollars.

"I don't think there is any negative aspect," she said. "It can only help you."

Will Spencer, a customer service agent at the downtown Pensacola State Farm office, said MSFH is a program that the agents often recommend as a way to lower insurance rates.

He said people who take advantage of the program often save $200-300 per year, and that more and more of their clients are starting to use it.

Spencer said his office has its own MSFH inspectors that go out to their customers residences and make sure everything is up to code and as safe as possible from hurricane damage.

Floridians whose homes have undergone wind certification and approved hurricane mitigation inspections could be eligible to apply for matching grants up to $5,000, according to the MSFH Web site.

The matching grants can be used for specific home improvements recommended by the free reports. However, grants are not guaranteed. The program requires an application and approval in order to receive the free inspection.

Brannon Jordan, who works in the organization's financial services department, said only single family, site-built homes qualify for the free wind inspection.

People may be eligible for the matching grant if they have completed the inspection by May 1, 2007. They must also have a valid homestead exemption, have a home built before March 1, 2002, be located in a wind-born debris region and have an insured value of $300,000 or less.

A wind-blown debris region is any area located in or around the place a hurricane makes landfall that could be impacted by debris picked up and relocated by the wind.

Greg Frank, also a Gulf Breeze resident, learned about the program from his insurance agent and applied for it. As a result, he also discovered his residence had protection that he didn't know existed. Both Frank and Alley have been trying to spread the word about the benefits of the plan.