Florida insurance news, Nov. 3, 2026: an auto insurer must return about $46 million in excess profits, Miami-Dade flood maps take effect in February 2027, and coastal flooding risk continues Tuesday
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Four updates for South Florida drivers, homeowners and small-business owners on Election Day Tuesday. Each item is summarized in our own words, with a link to the original source.
1.State regulator secures more than $46 million in excess profits that an auto insurer must return to Florida policyholders
On Nov. 2 the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation said Commissioner Mike Yaworsky secured more than $46 million in excess profits that an auto insurer must return to eligible policyholders within 60 days. The refund covers calendar and accident years 2023, 2024 and 2025. Under Florida law (F.S. § 627.066), an insurer must return excess profits when underwriting gains for the three most recent calendar-accident years exceed the anticipated underwriting profit plus five percent of earned premiums for those years. The Office said it expects more auto excess-profit announcements and is reminding other auto insurers of the same statutory duty. The company will also try to locate policyholders whose checks are returned and will handle unclaimed funds under Chapter 717.
Why it matters for you: If you receive a refund check, keep it with your policy records and confirm the company has your current mailing address. A statutory excess-profits refund is not a rate change by itself; compare your declarations page at renewal and ask us to review your car insurance.
2.New FEMA flood maps for Miami-Dade County, Florida City and Homestead take effect Feb. 19, 2027
FEMA’s Final Flood Hazard Determinations notice in the Federal Register on Oct. 14, 2026 (91 FR 65238, docket FEMA-B-2166) sets February 19, 2027 as the effective date for new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and, where applicable, the Flood Insurance Study for Miami-Dade County and its incorporated areas, including Florida City and Homestead. Until that date, the maps now in force remain official. The notice covers possible changes to Base Flood Elevations, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries or zone designations, and regulatory floodways. Revised panels will be available at local map repositories and through FEMA’s Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) by the effective date.
Why it matters for you: A zone change can affect whether a lender requires flood insurance and how a property is rated. NFIP coverage generally has a 30-day waiting period, so check your address on the current and preliminary panels well before February and see our flood insurance page and king-tide flood guide.
Source: Federal Register / FEMA,
3.Update: The Flood Watch has ended, but a Coastal Flood Advisory runs until 7 p.m. Tuesday and more heavy rain is possible today
As of Tuesday morning, NWS Miami’s active coastal product is a Coastal Flood Advisory until 7 p.m. EST Tuesday for coastal Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, with minor to moderate tidal flooding near high tide, large breaking waves up to about 6 feet, and a high rip current risk (through Wednesday morning for Miami-Dade/Broward and through Wednesday evening for Palm Beach). The earlier Flood Watch is no longer listed among active watches and warnings. The 7:21 a.m. Area Forecast Discussion still warns of another round of heavy showers and storms from late morning through evening, with the east-coast metro areas that saw significant impacts Monday again most vulnerable and isolated totals near 5 inches possible where storms stall or train. Astronomical tides will climb again ahead of the Nov. 9 new moon; Miami-Dade lists the next king-tide window as Nov. 6–9.
Why it matters for you: Turn around at flooded roads: water damage to a car is usually a comprehensive claim (comprehensive vs. collision). Rising water into a home or business is generally a separate flood policy claim; take dated photos before cleanup and keep our claim checklist handy.
Source: National Weather Service Miami,
Source: National Weather Service Miami,
Source: Miami-Dade County,
4.Update: Citizens policyholders in the Nov. 17 takeout round have until Thursday, Nov. 5 to register a choice
Under Citizens’ 2026 Personal Lines Depopulation Calendar, the choice deadline is Thursday, Nov. 5 for the Nov. 17 assumption round. Policyholders who received takeout offers need to register a decision by that date. If no choice is registered, Citizens assigns the policy to a selecting takeout company (or to the company with the lowest estimated premium when more than one selected the policy). Packets typically include coverage worksheets and estimated premiums. The next calendar round after that has letters around Oct. 28 and a Dec. 4 choice deadline for a Dec. 15 assumption.
Why it matters for you: Compare coverage limits, deductibles and exclusions—not only the estimated premium—before you accept or stay. We can walk through an offer with you using our Citizens local-agent guide and, in English, the take-out offer checklist.
This week
The National Hurricane Center’s 7 a.m. Tuesday outlook expects a low to form a few hundred miles south of Bermuda over the next day or so, with a low chance of subtropical development late this week (10% in 48 hours, 30% in seven days) as the system drifts and then moves generally eastward—no Florida watches or warnings. The National Flood Insurance Program remains authorized only through 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2026.
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.