Florida insurance news, Nov. 7, 2026: Isaias claims top 68,000, unofficial results for governor and CFO, an Amendment 3 special-session debate, and king tides through Sunday
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Four updates for South Florida drivers, homeowners and small-business owners this Saturday. Each item is summarized in our own words, with a link to the original source.
1.Update: Hurricane Isaias claims top 68,000, and 58% are now closed
The Office of Insurance Regulation’s latest Isaias data, as of Nov. 6, show 68,071 claims with about $735.5 million in estimated insured losses, up from 62,295 claims and about $652 million as of Oct. 27. Residential property accounts for 55,471 claims, private passenger auto for 7,825 and commercial property for 2,828. 58.2% of all claims are closed—25,211 with payment and 14,402 without—while 20,482 remain open with no payment yet. Among the claims closed without payment, OIR lists 6,835 where the damage was below the deductible, 5,374 for administrative reasons, 1,864 for other exclusions or no policy in force, and 326 with no flood coverage. Santa Rosa and Escambia counties in the Panhandle still lead the claim count.
Why it matters for you: A “closed without payment” status often comes down to the deductible or paperwork, so if your claim closed unexpectedly, ask your insurer for the reason in writing. Know your hurricane deductible before the next storm—see our wind deductible guide and hurricane claim timeline. Florida’s insurance consumer helpline is 1-877-693-5236.
2.New: Unofficial results name Byron Donalds governor-elect and keep Blaise Ingoglia as CFO
Florida Election Watch’s unofficial statewide returns show Byron Donalds (with running mate Bryan Avila) at 50.01% in the governor’s race, ahead of David Jolly at 48.72%, and CFO Blaise Ingoglia at 50.93% over Annette Taddeo at 49.07%; results stay unofficial until they are certified. The CFO oversees the Department of Financial Services, which runs the state’s insurance consumer helpline and insurance-fraud investigations. Insurance Journal reports that Donalds has pledged a public scorecard for insurers that could look at how fast claims are paid, and has said he would push to end the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund’s cash build-up factor, a 25% charge added to what insurers pay for Cat Fund reinsurance. A 2025 Cat Fund paper cited in the article warned that removing it would make the fund more reliant on debt after a major hurricane.
Why it matters for you: Nothing in your current policy changes because of the election. Campaign proposals only matter once they become law or rules, so watch the 2027 legislative session, keep renewing on time and review your coverage as usual. We will cover any concrete proposals here once they are filed.
Source: Florida Division of Elections (Florida Election Watch),
Source: Florida Division of Elections (Florida Election Watch),
Source: Insurance Journal,
3.Update: Governor calls for an Amendment 3 special session before Jan. 1; legislative leaders sound unsure
At a Nov. 4 news conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he wants a special session to pass a “taxpayer bill of rights” implementing Amendment 3 before he leaves office, partly to keep local governments from shifting the lost revenue to other taxes or fees, the Florida Phoenix reports. The date is up to the Legislature, and before the election Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd said much of the amendment is self-executing and implementing language could wait until January, while House Speaker-Designate Sam Garrison called it a very complicated issue. The amendment takes effect Jan. 1 and raises the homestead exemption for non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Lawmakers meet for a mostly ceremonial organization session the week of Nov. 30.
Why it matters for you: Lower property taxes can change your mortgage escrow payment, but they don’t change your insurance. Your dwelling coverage should track the cost to rebuild, not your assessed or taxable value. Review both when your escrow analysis arrives; our homeowners page explains the coverage parts.
Source: Florida Phoenix,
4.Update: King tides keep a coastal flood statement in place through Sunday evening
NWS Miami’s 1:19 a.m. Saturday Coastal Hazard Message extends the Coastal Flood Statement for coastal Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach through Sunday evening, with isolated minor coastal flooding and some water on low-lying roads and property. The 6:41 a.m. Area Forecast Discussion ties the minor flooding at each high tide this weekend to the king tides around the coming new moon and adds a chance of scattered showers this afternoon and tonight as a weak front moves through, then mainly dry weather early next week. NOAA predictions for Virginia Key put high tide around 7:14 a.m. and 7:22 p.m. ET Saturday and 7:59 a.m. and 8:05 p.m. Sunday. Miami-Dade’s king-tide window runs Nov. 6–9, with the next one Nov. 23–26.
Why it matters for you: Move cars off low streets before high tide; salt-water damage to a vehicle is usually a comprehensive claim (comprehensive vs. collision). Water rising into a home is generally covered only by a separate flood policy, and NFIP coverage usually has a 30-day wait. See our king-tides guide.
Source: National Weather Service Miami,
Source: National Weather Service Miami,
Source: NOAA Tides and Currents,
Source: Miami-Dade County,
This week
National Hurricane Center, 7 a.m. Saturday: a non-tropical low several hundred miles south-southeast of Bermuda (AL94) has a low chance of turning subtropical (10% in 48 hours and in seven days) as it moves east and is absorbed by another low early next week, with no threat to Florida in the outlook. Public comments on NCCI’s 2027 workers’ compensation filing (an overall average change of −7.4% for the voluntary market, effective Jan. 1, 2027) close Monday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m. ET at ratehearings@floir.gov. 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.