Bill on hurricane inspections advances

South Florida Sun-Sentinel--Mar. 5, 2008

The state’s Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Tuesday approved a bill that would beef up the My Safe Florida Homes program, which provides grants for hurricane mitigation inspections and for toughening homes against storms. The bill would require insurers to accept uniform inspection forms that homeowners use to obtain discounts from property insurers and would allow the Department of Financial Services to evaluate and approve contractors to help the state get more for its money. It would also beef up requirements for inspectors. To be eligible, most homeowners must have a home with an insured value of less than $300,000 or be considered low-income.