Florida insurance news, Oct. 23, 2026: A coastal flood warning for the Upper Keys, the latest weekend outlook for Miami-Dade and Broward, a Florida Supreme Court ruling on pre-suit notice, and arrests in a Doral licensing-exam scheme
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Four updates for South Florida homeowners, drivers and small-business owners. Each item is summarized in our own words, with a link to the original source.
1.Upper Keys under a Coastal Flood Warning for major saltwater flooding through Saturday morning
On Friday morning the National Weather Service in Key West upgraded the Upper Keys from an advisory to a Coastal Flood Warning, calling for major saltwater flooding around high tide through Saturday morning. The office says numerous roads may close and that low-lying homes, businesses and some critical infrastructure will be flooded, with some shoreline erosion. The Middle Keys remain under an advisory for moderate flooding, and the Lower Keys were added to the advisory for minor to moderate flooding. The South Florida Water Management District’s season forecast lists Oct. 28 and 30 as the highest predicted tides of the year for the Keys, so the tides are not done yet.
Why it matters for you: If you live in or drive to Key Largo and the Upper Keys, check the tide times before you go, keep cars on higher ground and never drive through water of unknown depth; salt water can ruin a car, and that damage falls under comprehensive coverage (comprehensive vs. collision). Water damage to a home from a flood is covered only by a separate flood policy, so take dated photos of any damage and keep receipts for cleanup.
Source: National Weather Service Key West,
2.Update: Miami-Dade and Broward flood advisory may be extended or upgraded as the peak king tide arrives Sunday–Monday; rain totals trend lower
The Coastal Flood Advisory for coastal Miami-Dade and Broward runs until 8 p.m. Saturday, and NWS Miami says it will need to be either extended into next week or upgraded to a warning Sunday into Monday, when the king tides peak and rain chances and onshore winds are highest. Moderate coastal flooding is expected with each high tide, and major coastal flooding is possible late this weekend into early next week. Rain forecasts keep coming down: one scenario brings 2–3 inches to the east coast metro areas through Monday, and the chance of widespread totals above 2 inches is about 45%, though storms stuck along the coast could still flood low spots. Gusts over 35 mph are possible Sunday and Monday, Atlantic seas could reach 10–14 feet, and Fort Lauderdale’s chief resiliency officer told CBS News Miami she expects tides higher than the city has ever seen through Tuesday and Wednesday.
Why it matters for you: Before Sunday, move cars out of low streets and garages, clear drains and gutters, lift valuables off the floor and tie down loose outdoor items; CBS News Miami reports that Hollywood may open beach parking garages so residents can move cars away from salt water. A new National Flood Insurance Program policy generally has a 30-day waiting period, so it won’t cover this weekend, but it is worth asking about before the next king tides in November; more in our king tides guide.
Source: National Weather Service Miami,
Source: National Weather Service Miami,
Source: CBS News Miami,
3.Florida Supreme Court: the pre-suit notice rule for property claims does not apply to policies issued before July 1, 2021
Since July 1, 2021, Florida law (section 627.70152) has required a homeowner to file a notice of intent to sue with the Department of Financial Services at least 10 business days before suing a property insurer, and a suit filed without it must be dismissed. On Oct. 22 the Florida Supreme Court unanimously ruled that this requirement does not reach policies issued before that date, because the law changed substantive rights and the Legislature did not clearly say it should apply retroactively. The case involved a 2019 water-damage claim under a policy issued that April. The ruling settles a split among the appeals courts: the Third District, which covers Miami-Dade and Monroe, and the Fourth District had applied the rule to older policies, while four other districts had not.
Why it matters for you: Policies issued on or after July 1, 2021 are still covered by the notice rule, so anyone thinking about suing over a current claim has to file the notice with the state first. The ruling mostly matters for older, still-unresolved claims from before July 2021; if you have one, talk to a licensed Florida attorney (this is not legal advice). For help with a claim that is going nowhere, the state’s consumer helpline is 1-877-693-5236, and our hurricane claim timeline explains the usual steps.
Source: Supreme Court of Florida,
4.Five arrested in an alleged scheme to cheat on insurance licensing exams out of a Doral office
Criminal investigators with the Florida Department of Financial Services arrested five people in Miami-Dade County on Wednesday, Oct. 21, in an alleged scheme to help applicants pass online insurance licensing exams, Local 10 News reported from arrest records. According to the reports, a helper stayed out of the camera’s view and worked the exam controls while the applicant stayed visible to the online proctor. Charges include racketeering and organized fraud, and some of those arrested are also charged with acting as an insurance agent without a license; two more suspects were still being sought. These are allegations, and everyone charged is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Why it matters for you: Before you buy a policy or hand over a payment, check that the person selling it holds an active Florida license in the state’s licensee search, and make premium payments only to the insurer or a licensed agency, never to a personal account. You can always look up our agents there too, or ask us for a quote.
Source: Local 10 News (WPLG),
Also this week
The National Hurricane Center does not expect any tropical cyclone to form in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Gulf in the next seven days (8 a.m. Friday outlook). On Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. ET, the Office of Insurance Regulation holds a virtual public hearing on the 2027 workers’ comp rate filing from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI); written comments are accepted through 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 10 at ratehearings@floir.gov, subject “NCCI”.
This roundup is general information, not legal advice or policy language. Each item is our own short summary of the linked original report; details can change after publication, so check the source for the full story. Coverage depends on the terms, limits and exclusions of your policy. Talk with a licensed agent about your situation.