Capitol Chatter: July 20

Citizens insurance gears up for rate battle
The Board of Governors for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. will meet next week to vote on rate increases for the state-backed insurer. But a preliminary meeting in Miami gives hints as to what may be coming.

A punt, of sorts.

Board members and new President and CEO Barry Gilway have made it clear they believe rates must increase to make the insurer, backed by the people of Florida, actuarially sound, and to move hundreds of thousands of customers to private insurers to reduce the risk to all Floridians.