Things To Do In SW Florida

With the price of premiums doubling the past few years, some Florida homeowners are choosing to go without property insurance, figuring that the savings are worth the risk of going bare in a hurricane-prone state.

“We are seeing many people doing this,” said Sunem Hernandez, of Hernandez Insurance, an independent insurance agent in Miami Lakes. “I have five clients that have already done it.”

Florida leads the rest of the nation homeowners shedding coverage. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 15% to 20% of Florida homeowners are forgoing coverage, more than the 12% national average.

And the trend is being fueled by the fast increase of insurance costs in the state, the nation’s highest. Florida’s insurance policies — including windstorm coverage, but not flood protection — averaged around $6,000, 42% higher than in 2022, according to the institute.

Agents consulted by the Miami Herald said rates are even higher in South Florida, where the market is said to be in a state of crisis. read more

DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: I have an account with Uber. Earlier this year, I added my granddaughter to my account so that she could have easy travel from the University of Washington in Seattle to my house in Mercer Island, Washington.

I added her successfully, but when she tried to access the account, Uber said that there was “not enough money” in the account for her to use the service. I was puzzled because Uber had my credit card on record. There was never a question of having money in the account, but I dutifully added $100. However, Uber still denied their service to my granddaughter.

So I opened a Lyft account, which solved the problem. My granddaughter can now use that account for rides.

Meanwhile, I wanted the $100 back from Uber. I have emailed and called the company repeatedly, but no joy. On the last call I made, a representative told me that the problem had to be handled by the accounts department and that they would call me back. No one has called back.

All I want is the $100 returned to my credit card. Can you help? read more