Florida Property Insurers Hesitate as Tropical Storm Bertha
Tropical Storm Bertha may have missed Florida, but it still serves as a stark reminder of how deceptively dangerous El Niño years can be. Florida’s insurance industry has certainly taken note of this weather event, and homeowners should do the same. If you need to file a claim this hurricane season, consider speaking with an experienced property insurance lawyer in Fort Lauderdale.
Tropical Storm Bertha Reminds Us That El Niño Years Aren’t Always Uneventful
On July 20th, 2026, Tropical Storm Bertha developed in the Gulf of Mexico and headed west toward Louisiana and Texas. It made landfall a few days later and reminded Americans that El Niño years are often deceptively dangerous. Just days before this storm developed, weather experts were predicting that 2026 was going to be the quietest hurricane season in a decade.
They may still be right. But storms like Bertha could easily arrive once again before this hurricane season is over. Bertha subjected coastal areas to winds of almost 50 miles per hour, causing considerable damage in some areas. It also triggered heavy rain and major waves across the Panhandle.
Insurance Companies Are Watching Carefully
Insurance companies in Florida have certainly taken note of Tropical Storm Bertha. The Insurance Information Institute (III) noted that storms like these may cause insurers to hit the pause button on new policies across the Sunshine State. Once insurers take this step, it may be impossible to obtain a new policy until the hurricane season is over. Citizens seems especially wary about the precedent set by Bertha, although other insurers may be more relaxed.
The fact that insurers are even contemplating a pause on new policies speaks volumes. Although 2026 may seem quiet compared to previous hurricane seasons, Bertha is forcing insurers to take Mother Nature seriously and at least consider the very real possibility of bigger storm events in the near future. This is only the second month of hurricane season, and we still have a long way to go.
As of this writing, there are no active storms or worrying signs in the Atlantic basin. However, this may all change within a matter of days or even hours. Remember, weather experts were speaking about an uneventful 2026 just days before Bertha formed. Mid August is the real test, as this is typically when the most powerful hurricanes arrive in the area. Homeowners should keep a close eye on the news and plan for every eventuality.
Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Property Insurance Lawyers Today
At Fuxa & Tyler, our legal team is made up of a diverse combination of attorneys who are well-positioned to protect the legal rights and financial interests of policyholders. If your property insurance claim was denied, we can help. For a free consultation, please call us today at (954) 990-5251. With an office in Sunrise, we represent policyholders in Broward County and throughout the state of Florida.
Sources:
winknews.com/news/southwest_florida/tropical-storm-bertha-makes-ripples-in-florida-insurance-market/article_3f960f74-df90-4a29-851c-ad5abb698fe4.html
pbs.org/newshour/nation/tropical-storm-bertha-strikes-gulf-coast-in-second-landfall