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Community Corner

This Year's Grinch: Flood Insurance

I'm kind of sorry I've learned so much before the holidays about the rising tide that threatens our ability to live in Dunedin.

Congress adjourned for the holidays without taking action on mammoth flood insurance rate increases which will affect thousands of homeowners in Dunedin and throughout Pinellas County.

After reading about the "Biggert-Waters" act, we contacted our insurance agent. We had to pay $200 for a survey before we could get a quote on flood insurance we must carry because we still have a mortgage.

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Unless Congress acts soon after returning to Washington in the New Year, the flood insurance on our 2-bedroom house near but not in view of the water is scheduled to jump from about $1500 a year to $9009 annually.

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you'll face similar news in 2014.

Find out what's happening in Dunedinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Florida legislators are posturing to "privatize" flood insurance, but only significant rate hikes will make that possible.

Not only will such enormous premiums force us from our "retirement" home, the prospect of $800 per month insurance payments will deter any would-be buyers for our house.

In short, we're facing a man-made flood more dangerous than any natural one we've seen.

It behooves you to research your future flood premiums; but for the sake of holiday joy, you might want to wait until the new year.

Whether you've ever been politically active, 2014 will be the time to flood legislators and congresspeople with calls, letters, emails and visits before their inaction sinks you.

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