A Broward County public adjuster has been arrested and charged with fraud, grand theft, and misappropriation of funds after allegedly diverting more than $600,000 in Hurricane Ian insurance settlements belonging to his clients. Francisco Javier Chaparro-Araus, 46, operated All Elements Public Adjusters out of Miramar. Florida Department of Financial Services records show Chaparro's PA license had previously been suspended in both 2015 and 2024.
The case is a high-profile reminder of the reputational and enforcement risks in the profession — and of DFS's active monitoring of licensed adjusters. Expect insurers and claimants alike to scrutinize PA credentials more closely in the near term.
Senate Bill 266 (Effective July 1, 2026): Strengthens consumer protections for PA contracts. Key provisions: required contract disclosures must appear in minimum 18-point font; enhanced cancellation rights are mandated for vulnerable adults. All PAs operating in Florida should review their contract templates before the July 1 effective date.
HB 459 / HB 399 Framework: Disputed property claims now have a structured administrative path before court escalation, adding a mandatory step in the resolution process for contested claims.
SB 1024 (Filed, Effective July 1, 2026): Revises Citizens Property Insurance eligibility for residential structures in certain counties; would eliminate flood insurance as a mandatory condition for some Citizens policies.
Flood Insurance Relief Act (Moody/Scott): U.S. Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott have introduced legislation providing a non-refundable tax deduction for NFIP and private flood insurance premiums — direct relief for South Florida homeowners facing escalating flood insurance costs.
National Flood Insurance Program Extension: S.1015 / H.R.2822 would extend the NFIP through December 31, 2026. The program's authorization remains a perennial legislative deadline worth monitoring — lapses can freeze closings and new flood policies.
OIR Commissioner Mike Yaworsky approved auto rate cuts in 2026 including relief for military service members. OIR is also exploring consolidation of Florida's fragmented insurance oversight — currently split between DFS and OIR — into a single regulatory body. If enacted, this would be the most significant structural change to Florida insurance regulation in decades.
Citizens began 2026 with approximately 395,000 policies — down from 936,182 at the start of 2025 and off 76% from the 2023 peak of 1.41 million. The depopulation program transferred more than 546,000 policies to private carriers in 2025 alone; roughly 1.3 million policies have been shed since 2023. Citizens is no longer the state's largest property insurer.
Governor DeSantis announced significant statewide rate relief; Citizens is cutting multiperil rates an average of 8.8% in 2026.
| County | Projected Citizens Rate Change (2026) |
|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | −13.9% |
| Broward | −14.1% |
| Palm Beach | Rate decreases projected for most policyholders |
| St. Lucie | +~6% (highest increase in state) |
| Martin | Near flat |
St. Lucie stands out: Citizens has proposed a ~6% rate increase — the highest in Florida — tied to aging housing stock and older roofs. For PA practitioners in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce, this creates friction: homeowners already stretched thin on premiums are more likely to dispute claim denials and seek PA representation.
On April 8, 2026, DOJ announced that AP of South Florida, LLC (APSF) agreed to plead guilty to major fraud against the United States. APSF used street marketers to enroll homeless and vulnerable individuals in ACA plans using falsified income data, generating $141.5 million in unwarranted federal subsidies. Parent company AssuredPartners agreed to pay $135 million in a civil settlement.
Six individuals were charged in February 2026 in connection with a $1.7 million fraudulent damage claims scheme involving Florida government. Details remain limited but signal continued DFS and AG attention to inflated claims.
A CBS News investigation (ongoing) reports that homeowners were forcibly moved to a Florida insurance company whose owners allegedly diverted millions in premium dollars to investors rather than maintaining adequate reserves. South Florida policyholders may have been among those affected.
Drought: Extreme drought continues across interior and western South Florida. Moderate-to-severe drought affects most of the eastern corridor, with coastal Broward and Miami-Dade classified as Abnormally Dry. Extended dry conditions raise wildfire risk and can accelerate roof and structural deterioration — a claims-relevant factor.
Marine: Small Craft Advisory in effect through Wednesday afternoon for coastal waters from Jupiter Inlet south to Deerfield Beach. E winds 20–25 kt, gusts to 30 kt; seas 5–8 ft, occasionally 10 ft.
A Flood Watch was issued for Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties on April 7 following a stalled frontal system and deep tropical moisture plume. Rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms produced localized flooding. Post-event claims from this system may be entering the adjuster pipeline now.
The Atlantic hurricane season opens June 1. Early forecasts lean below-average, driven by El Niño:
| Forecaster | Named Storms | Hurricanes | Major (Cat 3+) | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University (April) | 13 | 6 | 2 | Below average |
| Tropical Storm Risk | 14 | 7 | 3 | Near normal |
| University of Arizona | 20 | 9 | 4 | Above average |
CSU's forecast — historically the most closely followed — projects a below-average probability of major U.S. landfalls. El Niño-driven wind shear over the tropical Atlantic is the primary suppressive factor. That said, forecasters are quick to note that even a quiet season delivers one hurricane to whoever is in its path.
New compliance standards effective in 2026 require Secondary Water Resistance (SWR) applied directly to sheathing for all roofs in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone. Self-adhering underlayment is now mandatory in Miami-Dade and Broward. These changes affect both new construction and qualifying re-roofs.
Key insurance-roofing nexus rules in force:
Insurers are intensifying scrutiny of "sudden vs. gradual" damage distinctions across South Florida. Key practitioner notes:
South Florida's housing market continues to outperform the nation, with sustained wealth migration and cash buyers buffering the impact of elevated rates.
For PAs: Continued inbound migration means a steady stream of new homeowners unfamiliar with Florida's claims landscape — a population likely to need guidance on wind, flood, and contents coverage.
| Event | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Milton supplemental claims | April 9, 2026 (passed) |
| Standard new claim filing (most policies) | 1 year from date of loss |
| Insurer acknowledgment of claim | 14 days |
| Insurer begins investigation | 10 days after proof of loss |
| Insurer pay or deny | 90 days from receipt of documentation |