Florida insurance news, Oct. 24, 2026: A Coastal Flood Watch for Miami-Dade and Broward as the peak king tides arrive, what Amendment 3 on the Nov. 3 ballot would change for homeowners and businesses, and the next round of Hurricane Isaias claims data
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Three 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.Coastal Flood Watch for Miami-Dade and Broward from late Saturday through Monday evening as the peak king tides arrive
The National Weather Service in Miami has added a Coastal Flood Watch for coastal Miami-Dade and Broward from late Saturday night through Monday evening, meaning significant coastal flooding is possible; the current advisory for moderate flooding runs until 2 a.m. Sunday. The office warns that numerous roads may close and that low-lying homes, businesses and some critical infrastructure may be flooded, with major tidal flooding possible early next week when strong northeast winds and high surf line up with the peak king tides. For rain, the most likely outcome is about 1 to 1.5 inches through Monday, with a less likely scenario of 3 to 4 inches, and gusts of 35 to 40 mph are possible on Monday. The City of Miami lists peak tides around 8:58 a.m. and 9:04 p.m. Sunday and 9:44 a.m. and 9:48 p.m. Monday, with flooding usually lasting about an hour and a half on either side of the peak.
Why it matters for you: Move cars out of low streets and garages before Sunday’s high tides, and never drive through water of unknown depth: salt water can ruin a car, and that damage falls under comprehensive coverage (comprehensive vs. collision). Miami Beach runs a king tide parking program that lets registered residents on low-lying streets use three city garages while a flood notice is active. Damage to a home from rising water is covered only by a separate flood policy, which usually has a 30-day wait, so it won’t help this weekend but is worth reviewing before the November king tides (king tides guide).
Source: National Weather Service Miami,
Source: National Weather Service Miami,
Source: City of Miami,
Source: City of Miami Beach,
2.Amendment 3 on the Nov. 3 ballot: what the property tax measure would change for homesteads and business property
Amendment 3 would raise the homestead exemption from non-school property taxes to the first $150,000 of a home’s value in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with later inflation adjustments, and would let the Legislature go further, up to ending non-school property taxes on homesteads. It would also lower the cap on yearly assessment increases for non-residential property, such as commercial buildings, from 10% to 5%. Like every constitutional amendment, it needs 60% of the vote to pass. Gov. DeSantis campaigned for it at a Miami roundtable on Oct. 21, while Senate President Ben Albritton, the Florida Sheriffs Association and firefighter and police groups oppose it, warning of pressure on local budgets; state economists estimate it would reduce local revenue by about $5 billion in its first year.
Why it matters for you: Property taxes are often paid through the same mortgage escrow account as homeowners insurance, so a change in either one moves your monthly payment; if you own a business property, the assessment cap would affect future tax bills, not your insurance. Read the full ballot text before you vote, and check your homestead status with the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser. Whatever happens on Nov. 3, your insurance coverage stays the same until you change it, and you can ask us to review it.
Source: Executive Office of the Governor,
Source: Florida Phoenix,
3.State orders insurers to file the next round of Hurricane Isaias claims data by noon Tuesday
On Oct. 23 the Office of Insurance Regulation told property insurers to submit another simplified catastrophe report for Hurricane Isaias by 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Reporting is cumulative and covers a wide range of lines, including homeowners, mobile homes, private flood, commercial multi-peril, physical damage to personal and commercial vehicles, and surplus lines. The latest figures OIR has posted, reported as of Oct. 20, show close to 55,000 claims statewide, most of them in the western Panhandle, and about 22% of claims closed. The new filings should give the public an updated picture after next week’s deadline.
Why it matters for you: Most Isaias claims come from the western Panhandle, but many South Florida residents own property or have family there. If you have an open Isaias claim, keep a written log of every call, photo and email, answer the adjuster’s requests quickly, and if a claim closes without payment, ask for the reason in writing. The state’s consumer helpline is 1-877-693-5236, and our hurricane claim timeline explains the usual deadlines.
Also this week
In the Keys, the Coastal Flood Warning for major saltwater flooding in the Upper Keys was extended until 5 a.m. Sunday, and the Middle and Lower Keys remain under an advisory. The National Hurricane Center does not expect any tropical cyclone to form in the next seven days (8 a.m. Saturday outlook). On Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. ET, the Office of Insurance Regulation holds a virtual public hearing on the 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.