Welcome to

Governor Charlie Crist says he�s fine allowing the rate freeze to expire on Citizen Property Insurance.

Policy rates for the state-run property insurer have been frozen since 2006. Lawmakers don�t seem poised to take up a bill to extend the freeze until 2010. Crist said lifting the rate increase ban could make Citizens stronger.

�I�m confident in Citizens, I think they are viable. I think they are stable. I think they are a lot better than some other insurance companies, but I want to make sure they continue, that�s all,� said Crist.

If the freeze sunsets Citizens� rates could go up 20 percent next year.