M-D Comm. Battles Massive Rise In Flood Insurance Premiums

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade County Commissioners are fighting back against large impending rate hikes for flood insurance.

The Commission adopted a resolution today, sponsored by Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa, urging Congress to prevent flood insurance premiums from rising as a result of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012.

Without action by Congress, the Biggert-Waters Act – which was designed to address instability in the National Flood Insurance Program – will result in flood insurance premium increases of 25 percent per year for large categories of property owners.

"If we don't stop these huge rate increases from happening, many South Florida homeowners will be at risk of losing their homes," Chairwoman Sosa said.

Chairwoman Sosa's resolution calls for Congress to back proposed legislation to delay any premium increases for three years in order to give the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) time to conduct an affordability study.

Florida recently agreed to support Mississippi which is suing to stop the very same rate increases.