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THE SKINNY

• Spring Bling Giveaway Reminder

• What’s Happening with Insurance in Southshore

• Your Monday Money Minute

• This News isn’t so Sweet

Featured Story

The Cost of Sunshine

Home insurance rates continue to rise in Florida as storms, construction costs, and risk push premiums higher for Southshore homeowners

The letter shows up, and you already know what it’s going to say before you even open it. Another increase. Another reminder that in Florida, owning a home doesn’t just come with a mortgage. It comes with a constant question. What’s insurance going to cost this year?

That’s what makes this moment feel a little strange. Not long ago, there were signs things might finally be turning. State leaders pointed to reforms, new insurance companies entering the market, and even actual rate reductions for some homeowners. In certain cases, premiums tied to Citizens Property Insurance were expected to drop by around 8 to 9 percent statewide, with some areas seeing even larger cuts. For the first time in years, it looked like Florida might be catching a break.

But now, a new report is warning that home insurance rates could jump again in 2026, with some states seeing increases of 10 percent or more. And once again, Florida is expected to be near the top of that list, which brings the uncertainty right back into focus for homeowners across Southshore.

Because Florida isn’t just part of the conversation. It usually leads it. Even with recent stabilization efforts, homeowners here still pay some of the highest premiums in the country, often in the $6,000 to $7,000 range annually, compared to a national average closer to $2,000. Over the past five years, premiums in the state have climbed more than 40 percent, and while there have been small signs of relief, the overall trend is still hard to ignore.

Rising construction costs, more frequent storms, and insurers continuing to adjust their risk have all been pushing premiums higher. Construction costs alone have jumped nearly 30 percent since 2020, which means rebuilding after a storm is significantly more expensive than it used to be. Around here, that’s not new. It’s become routine, and it shows up in the numbers homeowners are seeing year after year.

You’ve seen neighbors switch carriers. Policies dropped. Conversations about Citizens, higher deductibles, and whether filing a claim is even worth it anymore. Citizens Property Insurance has grown rapidly as private insurers pull back, now covering more than 1.3 million policies statewide, a number that reflects just how many homeowners are searching for alternatives.

And then there’s the part people don’t always think about. Hurricane season doesn’t end when the storm passes. The damage turns into data, and that data shows up months later in the form of higher premiums. In recent years, insured losses from hurricanes in Florida have reached tens of billions of dollars, and those costs don’t disappear. They get redistributed across the market.

That’s the tension right now. On paper, reforms are working. New companies are entering the market, Citizens is shrinking in some areas, and a handful of homeowners are finally seeing slight relief. But at the same time, the bigger trend hasn’t disappeared. The cost of rebuilding is higher, the storms are still coming, and the national outlook says rates are still moving up.

It’s one of those realities of living in Florida. The sunshine is real. The lifestyle is real. But so is the cost of protecting it. In some cases, homeowners are now spending close to 10 percent of their home’s value over a decade just on insurance premiums alone, and that’s forcing more people to rethink what they can afford.

And for some, that cost is starting to push limits. Nearly one in five homes in high-risk areas are now uninsured, as some homeowners decide they simply can’t keep up with rising premiums and coverage requirements.

As growth begins to slow across parts of Florida, rising costs like insurance are becoming harder to ignore. Hurricanes are a rite of passage here, but not everyone who moves down is ready for what comes with that.

For longtime Southshore residents, this isn’t new. It’s just the next bill.

Monday Money Minute

The Homeowner’s Playbook for Lower Insurance Costs

Since we’re on the topic of insurance, we figured now is a great time to tell you how to save some money. The good news is, even with rates climbing, there are still ways homeowners can take control of what they’re paying. Some of them are simple, some take a little effort, but together they can make a real difference.

One of the biggest levers is your deductible. Raising it even modestly can lower your premium, sometimes significantly. The tradeoff is you’ll pay more out of pocket if something happens, so it only works if you’re financially prepared for that.

Another easy win is bundling. If you have your home and auto insurance with the same company, many insurers offer discounts for combining policies. It’s one of the most common ways people save without changing their coverage.

Shopping around matters more than people think. Rates can vary widely between companies for the exact same coverage, so getting quotes from multiple insurers can lead to hundreds of dollars in savings each year.

Then there are the upgrades that actually pay you back. Adding things like storm shutters, impact-resistant roofing, or even a monitored security system can reduce your risk in the eyes of insurers, which often leads to discounts.

It’s also worth taking a closer look at what you’re insuring. A lot of homeowners overpay because their policy is based on market value instead of rebuild cost. Insurance is meant to cover the structure itself, not the land, and adjusting that properly can bring premiums down.

And finally, don’t just set it and forget it. Reviewing your policy once a year, asking about new discounts, and keeping a solid credit profile can all help keep costs in check over time.

None of these are magic fixes on their own. But stacked together, they can take some of the edge off what’s becoming one of the biggest expenses of owning a home in Florida.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Your Weekly What in the World

That “healthy” sweetener might not be so sweet after all

It’s in your protein bars, your diet drinks, your keto snacks. The thing that lets you enjoy something sweet without the sugar. But a new study is raising some serious questions about one of the most popular sugar substitutes out there.

Researchers are taking a closer look at erythritol, a widely used sweetener that’s often marketed as a healthier alternative to sugar. It’s commonly found in products labeled “sugar-free,” “keto,” or “low carb,” and is a key ingredient in many well-known brands like Truvia and other stevia blends.

In lab testing, erythritol appeared to affect the cells that line blood vessels in the brain. It made those cells less able to relax, increased oxidative stress, and interfered with the body’s ability to break down blood clots. That combination matters.

Because when blood vessels can’t function properly, and clots don’t break down the way they should, it creates the kind of environment that could increase the risk of stroke. What’s especially concerning is that these effects showed up at levels that reflect what people might actually consume in everyday diets. And that’s what makes this one hit a little different.

Erythritol isn’t some obscure ingredient. It’s everywhere. It’s been one of the go-to options for people trying to cut sugar, lose weight, or manage blood sugar levels. It’s often positioned as the “safe” middle ground. But this adds to a growing conversation.

More research in recent years has started to question whether sugar substitutes are as harmless as they’ve been marketed. Not definitively dangerous, but not completely neutral either. The kind of thing where the long-term effects may be more complicated than we thought.

To be clear, this doesn’t mean you need to panic and throw everything out of your pantry. The research is still evolving, and scientists are continuing to study how these sweeteners behave in the body over time.

But it does shift the perspective. Because once again, the “better option” might not be as simple as it seems. And in a world full of shortcuts to healthier choices, this is a reminder that sometimes the tradeoffs just aren’t obvious at first.

Southshore Spotlight

Donate This Recycle That

Donate This Recycle That is a simple idea with a real impact. Instead of tossing items you no longer need, they help connect those goods to people and organizations that can actually use them. The goal is to reduce waste while making sure usable items stay in circulation, helping both the environment and the community at the same time.

It’s about giving things a second life and making it easier to do the right thing without overthinking it.

Nominate your local hero by emailing us at [email protected]

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Southshore Services

Need a painter? A plumber? Someone brave enough to tackle that lightbulb orbiting 30 feet above your living room?

Our all-new service catalog is now live, connecting you with trusted local pros right here in the community. And we’re just getting started. The list is growing every day.

Check it Out!

If you’re a local business and want to get on the list, shoot us an email:

[email protected]

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

The River’s Edge Bar & Grill

River’s Edge Bar & Grill is a true local waterfront hangout where Southshore comes to unwind. Sitting right along the Alafia River, it’s one of those spots you can pull up to by car, bike, or even boat, grab a cold drink, and settle in for live music, good food, and laid-back vibes.

If you’ve got a restaurant, food truck, or even a lemonade stand, it could be featured here. Email us at [email protected]

Local Sports

Our area high schools boast state champions and multiple division titleists. Come out and show your support for these teams and for our community.

Got news, events, or press releases that the Southshore needs to know about? Submit them here. (We’ll do our best to add press releases in our regular rotation.) If you’re looking to run an actual ad, go here instead.

Until next time,

Keep It Local.