For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Contact: Office of Communications, Communications@MyFloridaCFO.com, 850.413.2842

CFO Jimmy Patronis: Reduce Your Insurance Rate by Hardening Your Home  

To view b-roll, click here.

HIALEAH, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis hosted a press conference at PGT Innovations, a Florida-based manufacturer of impact-resistant building product. The CFO highlighted the Home Hardening Tax Exemption Initiative, the expansion of the My Safe Florida Home Program and the newly passed Insurer Accountability legislation. The sales tax exemption was championed by CFO Patronis and signed into law by Governor DeSantis last legislative session and allows Florida homeowners to harden their homes against storms while making them eligible to save money on their insurance premiums. This legislative session, the CFO supported legislation related to the My Safe Florida Home Program, which expands eligibility requirements so more Floridians can protect their homes against storms and reduce insurance premiums. Additionally this session, the CFO worked with the legislature to increase home mitigation grant funding by another $100 million, for a total of $250 million in funding. The CFO was joined by representatives from PGT Innovations, Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan Carlos Bermudez, Miami-Dade Commissioner Kevin Cabrera, Miami-Dade Commissioner René Garcia and City of Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “One of my top priorities every session is to help insurance consumers lower their premiums and combat rising insurance rates in our state. It’s no secret that Florida is experiencing a hardening insurance market. Last year, I was honored to work with Legislators and the Governor to help Floridians strengthen their homes by installing impact-resistant items like windows, doors, and garage doors that will make them eligible for insurance premium savings. The My Safe Florida Home Program, run by my office, is a home mitigation program that will give you up to $10,000 towards protecting your home. Combined with the Home Hardening Tax Exemption, right now the state is providing an estimated $700 million in home hardening tax and grant relief for Floridians.

“Additionally, this session, the Legislature passed a sweeping Insurer Accountability Package to ensure companies are being responsive to policyholders, and if they are not, we will now have the teeth to go after them and hold their feet to the fire. We are less than a month away from the beginning of the 2023 hurricane season, and there is nothing more important than being prepared so that you, your family, and your home are  protected. I’m encouraging all Floridians to take advantage of these savings and use these programs to protect your biggest investment – your home. A huge thanks to PGT Innovations, a Florida-based company for working to provide impact-resistant products to keep Floridians safe.”

This legislative session, CFO Jimmy Patronis supported legislation related to the My Safe Florida Home Program, which expands eligibility requirements so more Floridians can protect their homes against storms and reduce insurance premiums. Additionally this session, the CFO worked with the Legislature to increase grant funding by another $100 million, for a total of $250 million in funding. Combined with the Home Hardening Tax Savings, that’s more than $700 million in consumer relief, a huge savings for Florida consumers to shield their homes from storms.

CEO and President, PGT Innovations Jeff Jackson said, "Thank you to CFO Jimmy Patronis for joining us in Hialeah today to highlight these two incredible initiatives and discuss how important it is for Florida homeowners to harden their homes against storms. With the sales tax exemption and the My Safe Florida Home program both available, now is the time for Floridians to take action. PGT Innovations is proud to be a Florida-based company dedicated to providing home hardening solutions, and we are committed to helping people fortify their homes throughout the state so all families are well-prepared for future storms."

Representative Fabian Basabe said, “By providing hundreds of millions of dollars in home hardening tax relief and grants to Floridians, we are ensuring that our families and businesses are further protected the next time a hurricane takes aim at our state. I’m proud to stand with CFO Patronis to highlight these important programs and I encourage every Floridian to take advantage of this opportunity to fortify your home and help lower your insurance premiums.”

Juan Carlos Bermudez, Miami-Dade Commissioner said, “It’s extremely important to harden your home against storms, and living in Miami, we should all be preparing for the upcoming hurricane season. Don’t wait to prepare until it’s too late. Take advantage of these great savings.”

Kevin Cabrera, Miami-Dade Commissioner said, “Living in Florida, storms are just a fact of life and I encourage all Floridians to harden their homes before hurricane season begins. The Home Hardening Tax Exemption is the perfect opportunity to save while installing impact resistant items like doors, windows, and garage doors. A huge thank you to the CFO for brining awareness to this important tax savings.”

René Garcia, Miami-Dade Commissioner said, “A huge thank you to the CFO for joining us in Hialeah today at PGT Innovations to bring awareness to all of the great savings programs offered by the state of Florida. Floridians should always be prepared for the possibility of a hurricane and I encourage everyone to look into the My Safe Florida Home Program as well as the Home Hardening Initiative.”

Manolo Reyes, City of Miami Commissioner said, “Thank you to the CFO for highlighting the home hardening tax exemption. As a Commissioner of the City of Miami, my top priority is the safety of my citizens, and this initiative helps Floridians harden their homes against the destructive storms that our state often faces.”

Jesus Tundidor, City of Hialeah Councilman said, “Fortifying your home against storms and hurricanes is one of the best investments you can make. Thank you to CFO Patronis for his hard work in providing home hardening tax relief and grants to Floridians so they can protect their homes while saving money on homeowners insurance.”

###

About CFO Jimmy Patronis

Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).