[SunshineState]

As many of you know from my posts I am very active in the fight for lowering our outrageous property insurance. I am wondering if the cost of insurance has affected anyone who owns a business in Florida. How has it affected your business and have you had to increase prices or close up shop.

[firemed]

I know alot of business owners that have moved out of state due to the expenditures like Insurance, electric, fuel, Taxes, and trying to keep employees. Its very sad.

[tallrick]

Our insurance has doubled, the lease is double because of the landlord's taxes and insurance. It costs us as much for 1500 SQ ft as a competitor in Opelika Alabama who has 20,000 sq ft. We can no longer compete and I am going to have to move because no one else in the company wants to leave this hot, humid Moderator cut: cut . I think our company will fail due to these expenses.

[SunshineState]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Our insurance has doubled, the lease is double because of the landlord's taxes and insurance. It costs us as much for 1500 SQ ft as a competitor in Opelika Alabama who has 20,000 sq ft. We can no longer compete and I am going to have to move because no one else in the company wants to leave this hot, humid Moderator cut: cut . I think our company will fail due to these expenses.

What type of business do you own? Are you a builder?

[tallrick]

We sell security cameras and DVR's. Our competition is nationwide and global. It's impossible to compete in a global market burdened with South Florida expenses, hassles and transient employees. I need a new location, new business.

[chisoxfan]

My wife rents a small office west of Fort Lauderdale for her photography business. When her lease was up for renewal a few months ago, the landlord wanted to double her rent because insurance on the building had gone up so much. Fortunately, she's a long-term tenant and was able to negotiate much better terms. Most of those who hadn't been in the building as long weren't as lucky. And this building isn't even in the Citizens high-risk zone -- it's a few miles west of I-95.

The other effect on her business is that her bookings and revenues are down a bit from a few years ago -- with homeowners insurance rates (as well as gas, electricity, etc.) much higher, people just aren't as willing or able to spend on things like wedding/event photography.