Nearly three-quarters said long-term stability of insurance rates was the most important insurance goal compared to 20 percent who said they sought immediate rate relief.

"I think this shows there is a clear understanding of the gravity of the situation among the people of Florida and it is up to us–the industry, lawmakers and regulators–to work together to deliver," said William Stander, assistant vice president and regional manager for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), who distributed the results with the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

The opinions of Floridians come without knowledge that they would be responsible for funding a shortfall of the state-run insurer. Only 39 percent said they knew they could be assessed–a number that has actually improved since the last poll was taken in January, Mr. Stander said.

The most surprising result, Mr. Stander said, dealt with a question asking how much time a person should have to file a claim following a hurricane. More than two-thirds said one year.

"And we were battling tooth and nail to get three years," Mr. Stander said.

Gov. Crist vetoed SB 2044, though it was supported by Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty and other industry leaders. A provision in the bill would have limited the amount of time a policyholder had to file a claim after a storm to three years from five.

The industry has been critical of public adjusters for reopening claims long after a storm.

"We were hugely disappointed that this bill was vetoed," said Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Edie Ousley. "We believed it delivered some long-term solutions the market needed."

Asked if they thought coastal homeowners should pay more for insurance, 55 percent said yes. A large majority–86 percent–said they thought their homeowners situation has stayed the same or gotten worse.

The poll was administered by Public Strategies Inc.