Editorial: Good hurricane policy
For most of us, there seems little better remedy for the problems caused by hurricanes - and their impact on insurance rates - than to batten down the hatches and be prepared to ride them out with the least damage possible.
That makes the continuing FEMA grants to REBUILD Northwest Florida to harden area homes against storms a sound investment.
That the effort id economically stimulative doesn't hurt, either.
No, not everyone is going to get a piece of the latest $5 million FEMA grant. But the lesson remains: investing in hurricane straps, stronger roofs, window protection, and other hurricane-hardening techniques is sound policy for any homeowner or business owner.
The State of Florida has tried hard to hold down insurance premiums through a variety of legislative efforts. At the moment its greatest success is due to nothing it has done, but rather to the fact that we have dodged the hurricane bullet in recent years.
Meanwhile, the potential liability on taxpayers continues to mount as the state's insurance provider, Citizen's Property Insurance, accumulates financial liability faster than it can gather assets in the form of premiums.
Another bad hurricane season could topple the whole structure of the state's approach.
Meanwhile, state officials offer sound advice on hurricane planning: In the event of a hurricane strike, plan on being self-sufficient with food, water, fuel, and medicine for at least three days before expecting real help to arrive.
It is the same message the FEMA grant delivers: Lower hurricane insurance premiums start with homes and businesses able to survive hurricane winds with minimal damage.
Pensacola News Journal