realestate

Florida hurricane risks downplayed by insurance chief

Miami's favorable climate, taxes, and business environment make it an attractive destination for residents, says Kevin O'Leary.

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evin O'Leary, chairman of O'Leary Ventures and "Shark Tank" star, believes Florida's housing market won't be affected by back-to-back destructive hurricanes. He attributes the state's resilience to its favorable tax policies and business environment. "We've lived with bad weather forever," he said on "Varney & Co." after Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key as a Category 3 storm, causing widespread power outages and flooding.

    O'Leary dismissed concerns about insurance costs and property taxes, echoing the sentiments of Florida's finance chief. When asked if hurricanes would make real estate less attractive, he replied "no, no, no." He cited the state's job market and its appeal to businesses fleeing high-tax states like New York and Massachusetts.

    However, celebrity real estate broker Ryan Serhant disagrees, calling Florida's insurance market "$34 billion of bad" due to rising costs for homeowners. Only 2-4% of Floridians have flood insurance, which can be expensive through the National Flood Insurance Program. For O'Leary, though, the state's tropical climate and sunshine are a major draw: "There comes a point in your life when you're just too old to be cold, and you want to be warm." He values Florida's lifestyle over concerns about insurance costs or property taxes.

Florida insurance executive downplays hurricane risk concerns in public statement.