Comments by "gary K" (@garyK.45ACP) on "JUST IN: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Promotes New Toll Relief Efforts" video.

@UncleNiikii Who says? My property tax in Florida has been cut more than 50% since I bought my home 10 years ago. Are people using all the exemptions they are entitled to? I have a homestead exemption, addl. homestead exemption, and senior citizen exemption. There are also exemptions now for first responders. And others. People need to learn what exemptions are available for them and file for them with their county tax office.
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@neilcharles2520 OK, I did. My auto insurance just DECREASED, for the exact same coverage, 33%. I shop it around at every year and pay the premium in full for a year. No extra "fees" for monthly payments. Neither my wife nor I have had a ticket or accident in over 15 years. We pay under $100/mo. for 2 drivers, with two late model vehicles. Full, maximum coverage, collision and comprehensive, roadside assistance and rental coverage. My property insurance has increased 50% in the last 10 years. Again, I shop it around every year, pay the full amount when due for a year (my home is paid for, so I do my own escrow) and I keep my home up to current codes. I pay for full replacement cost coverage and a 3% hurricane deductible. $1000 deductible for all other hazards. 10 year old, concrete block construction home, 3 br, 2 ba., 2 car garage. I have a 4 point inspection every 5 years and wind mitigation inspection every 5 years. It saves me over $1,600.00/year in premiums to have my home up to code and have wind protection equipment (hurricane rated doors and windows, window coverings, garage door reinforcement, hip roof, strapped rafters, etc.) My property taxes are HALF what they were 10 years ago. I make use of every available exemption. People need to find out what is available and file for the exemptions they are eligible for. Florida is VERY cheap for taxes...all taxes...but you have to do it right. Auto insurance is reasonable if you shop around. Homeowner's insurance is reasonable if you have a modern, up to code, home.
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@jaminova_1969 Neither does any other state. Florida has marketplace insurance just like every other state.
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@neilcharles2520 People live where they choose. They need to make informed decisions. Are they paying $1000 more/year in taxes in Orange County, but saving $3000/year in commuting costs? Good deal. Or are they retired and paying too much in property tax for nothing they need? Also homeowners need to investigate what property tax exemptions are available and apply for them. Homestead, addl. homestead, senior citizen, limited income, first responder and many more. This doesn't just come to you, you need to find it, apply for it and cut your taxes. My property taxes are LESS THAN HALF what they were 10 years ago...when I bought my home new. Shop your car insurance every year. I just got a 33% reduction in my car insurance for the next year, yesterday, by switching coverage. There ARE options.
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@TurboNFRStwoK CORRECT! Hip roof will save you $1000+/year in homeowners insurance. A hip roof, together with other wind protective devices, I have a $1600/year discount on my rate...more than HALF! My home is concrete block, hip roof, 10 years old, up to all current codes. I pay $1400/year (3 br. 2 ba. 2 car garage) Swimming pools will nearly double your insurance rates. I also shop my home insurance every year. Get a wind mitigation inspection and a 4 point inspection every 5 years and submit them with your policy application.
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@neilcharles2520 Has the roof been re-nailed since 2008? Did (or the former owner) you have a permit for the re-roofing? Have you gotten a wind mitigation report? Have you gotten a 4-point inspection? What kind of electrical panels do you have? What kind of plumbing pipe do you have? Do you have electrical surge protection in your main panel? And there are more. A 2003 built home would not have those things and may have polybutylene piping or sub-standard electrical panels...If you have FPE or GTE/Sylvania electrical panels and components....GET RID OF THEM! They are costing your hundreds of dollars every year! Is your roof actually a hip roof? If more than 10% of the roof perimeter is "non-hip", it won't count. A gable over a front porch or a garage can disqualify the house as having a "hip roof" for insurance purposes, even if your survey or building permits say "hip roof". Just having a hip roof is one thing, you need to get a wind mitigation inspection and submit the report to your insurance to get the discounts. Get both a wind mitigation and 4 point inspection. Get your home up to modern codes (a 2003 home will NOT be current with all codes) and submit the reports to your insurance company.
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@A42yearoldARAB CORRECT!!!!!! Better to collect tax from people who don't vote here! We LOVE when Democrats come to visit, drop lots of $$$ and LEAVE! Other states are the same...TX has no state income tax because of revenue from oil, NV has no state tax because of tourism and gambling taxes, WA has no state income tax because of port fees. DE has no state income tax because of business taxes, which are lower than other states and encourage companies to incorporate there. That's why there are so many "Delaware Corporations" ANY state could do the same thing with whatever resource they have. This is not a unique formula. When a state has something people WANT, especially people who don't live there and don't need schools, medical facilities, etc. it is a great resource for a state. And US citizens, unless they are in prison, live where they CHOOSE.
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@neilcharles2520 Then that's a COUNTY issue, NOT a "Florida" issue. You can choose where you live. Choose wisely. Everyone's rates for insurance vary by many, many factors, including your zip code, driving record, model of car, etc., NOT just "Florida". People say "Oh, Florida is SO expensive" and I say "NO, it isn't. What are YOU doing wrong?"
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