Florida Squatters Insurance Is Now Available

Squatting has been in the news a lot lately, peaking over the weekend as two squatters were arrested in New York after a woman was found dead and stuffed in a duffel bag. The topic has also been trending on Tik Tok as one influencer urged migrants to squat in homes. If you rent your home, or, like many Southwest Florida Snowbirds - leave for extended periods of time, you may want to look into Florida squatters insurance.

Squatting has become a huge issue across the county. One main target is that squatters are known to take over vacant homes that are for sale. Across the county, in Atlanta reports show that some people are afraid to go on vacation and leave their home.  Squatters in California took over a home in the same neighborhood as Jennifer Lopez and LeBron James. Last week in New York, a homeowner was arrested after she confronted a squatter. It's here locally, too. Squatters have been arrested in Naples, Cape Coral, and other parts of Southwest Florida. Squatting is quickly becoming an epidemic.

Squatters have rights that vary from state to state, but here in Florida things just became a whole lot stricter. According to Weartv, a new law that came up earlier this month. "House Bill 621 authorizes property owners to request action by the sheriff's office to immediately remove squatters from your home." Before this new law, homeowners faced a lengthy court process to evict unwanted squatters. Now, the local sheriff will be required to issue the eviction notice and remove the squatters. This is good news for Snowbirds and those who rent their Florida house on platforms such as Airbnb.

Make no mistake, there is a housing crisis in Florida, prompting some residents to take drastic actions. One of those actions may be taking over someone's vacant home. The new Florida law looks to make it easier to evict Florida squatters, but it's still too soon to know. Through some research, we found a short term rental insurance policy from Proper Insurance that offers squatter protection. The policy covers "both legal and lost income protection." So, if this is a real concern for you, it might be something to look into.

Here in Southwest Florida, we have a lot of Snowbirds. These home and condo owners are only here 6 months (or less) out of the year. So how can you prevent someone from taking up residence when you're up north?

I added that last one because there's a LOT of New Yorkers that come to Florida for the winter. Especially in Cape Coral. Your place up north may be vulnerable while you're down here fishing.

Florida is taking a very active step against squatting. If it's successful the policy will likely be copied in other states. Until then, take the steps to protect what's yours. Florida Squatters Insurance may be something to look into.

Florida has multiple listings on the newly released Top 100 list from Yelp. Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and the whole Miami area have restaurants that made the cut. But one notable omission was Southwest Florida. Of all the outstanding places to eat in Naples, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral - not one of ours made the list. However, on the Florida only list, Fort Myers, Naples, and Fort Myers Beach all made the top 100.

Another observation, the Florida Keys, with some of the best seafood in the world, were also omitted from the country's top 100. So this list is what's known as 'rarified air'. The best of the best. So where are the best Florida restaurants of 2024?

Before we get to the best Florida restaurants, let's see where the top 4 are located, and what makes them so special. What I noticed off the bat, these are not super expensive places. Just great food.

Related: 3 Southwest Florida Favorites Make Yelp’s Top 100 Florida Restaurants List

Strangely enough, despite our extensive coastlines, most of the best Florida restaurants don't specialize in seafood. Here's the list of places, and their national ranking on Yelp.

Fratellino is number 5 overall, and this Coral Gables spot is the highest rated Florida restaurant on the list. Known as "the best Italian food in Miami."

Mio's in St. Petersburgh does Turkish and Greek food. I love a good falafel wrap, and Mio's is reported to have one of the best. Awesome location, too - down by the Yacht Basin. 

From Pompano Beach, the third best in Florida goes to Amy's French Bakery. Amy's is a small cafe located in an industrial area. Get the fresh squeezed Florida orange juice with your brunch. 

The top sushi spot in Orlando. If you're looking for something entirely new to try - this is a standing restaurant. I've never done that!

Bunbury is an Argentine Steakhouse in Miami. Great food and great ambiance. And a perfect location just north of downtown.

How Ya Dough’n is a quirky little pizza place in Boca Raton off Hwy 1. The owner started making pizzas for his neighbors during the pandemic, then grew that passion into a business.

Filipino restaurant in Jacksonville. Their food truck was so popular they graduated to a store. Based on the reviews, you need to try the Tap-Silog.

In Oakland Park, just north of Fort Lauderdale for breakfast or lunch. Their hook is that nothing is fried and they don't use oils. And that your food is 'instagrammable'.

An entry from Tampa, the Bayshore Mediterranean Grill. They do Mediterranean and Turkish food. The chicken shish gets mentioned a lot.

Another Tampa spot, this one specializes in tacos, empanadas, and their salads. Taco Tuesday specials on street tacos. And the bar - have Kate make you something special.

Caribbean food on Cocoa Beach. And it's right there at the beach. The food can get a little spicy, too!

A cocktail bar in Fort Lauderdale with some great food. Show up early for the happy hour.

Sushi bar with Asian fusion in Fort Lauderdale. Close to the airport and the reviewers love the crispy tuna bites, sashimi appetizer, & the tuna lover roll.

Related: Florida Restaurants Make Yelp’s List Of Best Burger Spots In America