Is there a lesson for Florida in California's wildfire crisis?

Both California and Florida are particularly vulnerable to frequent and severe natural events. (Credit: Sepp photography/Shutterstock)

As someone who has spent over a decade representing homeowners and policyholders navigating the complexities of property insurance litigation, I’ve witnessed firsthand how Florida’s insurance market, often at the forefront of climate-related challenges, mirrors troubling national trends. California’s recent struggles with wildfires offer invaluable lessons for Florida as we grapple with our own natural disasters and the resulting insurance crises.

Both California and Florida are particularly vulnerable to frequent and severe natural events with wildfires in California and hurricanes in Florida. Despite the distinct nature of these catastrophes, the property insurance markets in both states face strikingly similar challenges. Insurers are increasingly retreating from high-risk areas, attributing their actions to climate change, even though they have long possessed the tools and expertise to forecast and manage these risks. Instead of innovating, many insurance companies have shifted their focus toward maximizing profits by cutting coverage, raising premiums, and ultimately leaving millions of policyholders exposed.