Hurricane Milton Poses Major Threats to Florida's Insurance Market and Economy
Hurricane Milton is making headlines as it heads towards Florida, threatening approximately 235,000 commercial properties with potential damages that could reach up to $245 billion, making it one of the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. Moody's reports that the insured losses from Milton could total around $100 billion, raising alarm among insurance companies and homeowners who may become casualties of the financial impact. As Florida's insurance market struggles under the pressure of back-to-back hurricanes, including impacts from Hurricane Helene, industry analysts are predicting significant losses and urging for better hurricane modeling to support effective recovery efforts. Additionally, the storm is set to challenge the burgeoning catastrophe bond market and has led to a surge in concern among investors and financial institutions monitoring its repercussions. Florida's CFO estimates that Milton's financial toll could peak at $20 billion, with state-backed Citizens Insurance facing considerable exposure in the Tampa Bay area. Homeowners across Florida are bracing for potential insurance claim denials and are urged to take preventive measures in light of the impending storm.
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