Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concernsThe environmental effects of artificial sweeteners
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
Lee County Parks & Recreation to offer free parking this weekend for certain locations Lee County Parks & Recreation sites offering free swimming or free parking this weekend to include parks, beaches and boat ramps.
Tim Aten Knows: Construction expanding Shoppes at Vanderbilt in North Naples Two outparcel buildings under construction simultaneously on the north and west side of the CVS pharmacy at Airport-Pulling and Vanderbilt Beach roads will have new spaces for restaurants, stores and a variety of additional service concepts at the Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt, said P.J. Hill, leasing manager for the sprawling retail center in North Naples.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
Lee County Parks & Recreation to offer free parking this weekend for certain locations Lee County Parks & Recreation sites offering free swimming or free parking this weekend to include parks, beaches and boat ramps.
Tim Aten Knows: Construction expanding Shoppes at Vanderbilt in North Naples Two outparcel buildings under construction simultaneously on the north and west side of the CVS pharmacy at Airport-Pulling and Vanderbilt Beach roads will have new spaces for restaurants, stores and a variety of additional service concepts at the Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt, said P.J. Hill, leasing manager for the sprawling retail center in North Naples.
Insurers are figuring out if your home is worth their risk without even stepping foot on your property. Consumer advocates worry this will make Florida’s insurance crisis even worse for homeowners. Industry experts believe using drones is a better way to assess homes. Just Google your address, and you’re bound to find an aerial, satellite, or drone image of your house. Now, homeowners insurance companies are getting into the drone photography game, but not for the pretty picture of your home. Amy Bach is the Executive Director of the consumer advocacy group United Policyholders. “it’s kind of like your credit score is a big deal. Now, your insurance score is a big deal in terms of whether or not they are going to keep you, what they’re going to charge you,” Bach said. Bach noted insurers aren’t necessarily getting the video and pictures themselves, they’re buying them from insurtech companies. Those companies use innovative technology to help insurers be more efficient and save money. Homes damaged during Hurricane Ian. (Credit: WINK News) “A lot of people are finding out that their insurers are basically spying on them from the sky and then using what they see to drop them or raise their premiums,” she added. Bach suspects Florida homeowners who live in coastal counties, the counties with the most hurricane risk, will experience the highest premium increases or policy non-renewals. “[An insurtech company] showed me some of the aerial images that they have, and they literally have every single tree circle with red,” she recalled. “In Florida, it’s generally going to be the roof. Insurers are very focused on roof conditions in Florida.” RELATED: Slate of bills to reduce property insurance costs moves through Florida Senate Meanwhile, Mark Friedlander with the Insurance Information Institute said this practice isn’t new. Insurers send drones through areas hit by hurricanes and other natural disasters all the time. But Florida insurers may be the trendsetter by using them for home inspections. “It is a much more precise, accurate way to assess the condition of homes,” he responded. “Insurers have a right to inspect your home and we feel it’s much less intrusive [to use] a drone to take aerial imagery versus sending somebody out.” Drone image of homes, CREDIT: WINK News Friedlander added that the most common time your home is inspected is when it is time to renew your policy or when you just bought new coverage. Florida law requires insurers to give you 48 hours’ notice of an inspection, but they do not have to give you a copy of the inspection report. However, Friedlander said it’s a common practice. If the insurer determines your home is too risky, Florida law also requires that the insurer tell you why they’re not renewing your policy. “The goal isn’t to eliminate customers,” Friedlander clarified. “It is to assess risk and make sure that the home meets the underwriting guidelines of your insurance company. They want to write the best risk.” Still, United Policyholders is calling on lawmakers to make it mandatory for insurers to provide homeowners with an inspection report and give homeowners a chance to correct any errors they believe the insurance company made on the report. If the insurer isn’t going to renew you, the group believes you should be given some time to fix whatever issue they point out. Don’t be freaked out if your insurer sends someone to your home and they need to come inside. Friedlander later said “As Florida home insurers increase their underwriting scrutiny of properties, some are inspecting both exteriors and interiors.” Has your insurance company used drone or aerial imagery for an inspection? Has it impacted your premiums or coverage? Email us at investigations@winknews.com