Florida insurance news, Nov. 5, 2026: Citizens choice deadline is today, king tides begin tomorrow, and a fall-flooding emergency expands into Palm Beach
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Four updates for South Florida drivers, homeowners and small-business owners on Thursday. Each item is summarized in our own words, with a link to the original source.
1.Update: Today (Thursday, Nov. 5) is the last day to register a choice for Citizens’ Nov. 17 takeout round
Citizens’ 2026 Personal Lines Depopulation Calendar lists Thursday, Nov. 5 as the policyholder choice deadline for the Nov. 17 assumption round. Agents or policyholders must register the preference on or before 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 it. Policyholders who are eligible and ask to remain with Citizens receive a Remain with Citizens confirmation. The next calendar round after this one has a Dec. 4 choice deadline for a Dec. 15 assumption. Citizens states that once an assumption occurs, the transfer is final—there is no longer a 30-day window to return.
Why it matters for you: Compare limits, deductibles and exclusions—not only the estimated premium—before you accept or stay. We can walk through an offer using our Citizens local-agent guide and, in English, the take-out offer checklist.
2.Update: King tides begin tomorrow (Nov. 6–9); coastal flood statement continues through Thursday evening
NWS Miami’s 3:04 a.m. Thursday Coastal Hazard Message keeps a Coastal Flood Statement for coastal Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach through Thursday evening, with isolated minor coastal flooding possible around high tide and some water on low-lying roads and property. The 6:23 a.m. Area Forecast Discussion’s key messages still include minor coastal flooding at high tide, while noting a much drier, sunnier pattern that should help communities still dealing with lingering street water. Miami-Dade’s published king-tide calendar lists the next window as Nov. 6–9 (then Nov. 23–26), ahead of the Nov. 9 new moon. County guidance: move vehicles to higher ground before peaks, do not drive flooded roads, and rinse after salt water.
Why it matters for you: Salt-water damage to a car is usually a comprehensive claim (comprehensive vs. collision). Rising water into a building is generally a separate flood policy; NFIP coverage usually has a 30-day wait. Our king-tides flood guide covers the South Florida windows.
Source: National Weather Service Miami,
Source: National Weather Service Miami,
Source: Miami-Dade County,
3.New: Governor expands the 2026 Fall Flooding emergency into Palm Beach; FLHSMV waives duplicate plate and license fees in the affected counties
On Nov. 2, Executive Order 26-227 declared a state of emergency for Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie after heavy rain and flash-flood warnings. On Nov. 4, Executive Order 26-228 amended that list to add Glades, Hendry, Lake, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Seminole and Volusia, citing among other impacts record rainfall in parts of Palm Beach County, including Riviera Beach (over 19 inches in 12 hours). The Florida Division of Emergency Management hosts the Fall Flooding update page with both orders. Separately, FLHSMV’s Amended Emergency Order filed Nov. 4 (pursuant to EO 26-228) waives fees for duplicate or replacement vehicle plates, registrations, titles, disabled parking permits, driver licenses, ID cards and vessel documents in the affected counties, and defers related late fees when offices closed for weather; the FLHSMV order runs through Jan. 3, 2027 unless rescinded earlier. Miami-Dade and Broward are not on the EO county list.
Why it matters for you: If floodwater ruined your registration, plate or license in an affected county (including Palm Beach), ask your tax collector or FLHSMV about the waived duplicate fees before you pay. Document car and property damage with dated photos before cleanup, and review whether a claim belongs under comprehensive auto or a separate flood policy—start with our claim checklist.
Source: Florida Division of Emergency Management,
Source: Executive Office of the Governor of Florida,
Source: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles,
4.Update: Tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 6) at noon ET is the next simplified Hurricane Isaias catastrophe-reporting deadline
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation’s Nov. 3 Notice to Industry still requires authorized property insurers to file a simplified 2026 Catastrophe Reporting Form (CRF) for Hurricane Isaias through the Insurance Regulation Filing System by 12 p.m. ET Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. Reporting is cumulative as of the filing date; companies with no Florida policies or no claims file “No Data” once, then must switch to data filings if claims arrive. The CRF is how the Office gathers claim counts and related figures after a catastrophe so regulators—and later any public summary reports OIR may publish—can track market impact. The notice sets the filing deadline only; it does not publish new claim totals.
Why it matters for you: If you still have an open Isaias claim, keep adjusting notes, photos and correspondence dated. Aggregate CRF numbers, when OIR posts them, are industry statistics—not your individual settlement. Use our hurricane claim checklist while you wait.
This week
The National Hurricane Center’s 7 a.m. Thursday outlook: a broad non-tropical low a few hundred miles south of Bermuda may gradually acquire subtropical characteristics this weekend while moving slowly east over the western and central subtropical Atlantic (30% in 48 hours; 50% over seven days)—no Florida watches or warnings. Public comments on the NCCI 2027 workers’ compensation rate filing (overall average −7.4% voluntary market, effective Jan. 1, 2027) remain open at ratehearings@floir.gov through Monday, Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. ET. 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.