JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With a hurricane and a tropical storm back to back, homeowner insurance is expected to skyrocket, some policies could see a nearly 40% increase according to experts.

It’s leaving some people wondering if there is anything they can do. Properties here in San Marco were completely underwater after Tropical Storm Nicole and people like Francine Rode are still dealing with the clean-up.

“We saw a lot of rain, we saw some wind, we saw waves coming over our bulk head, our parking lot was filled with water,” Francine Rode, a condo owner San Marco, said.

I spoke to insurance agent Matthew Carlucci who says unfortunately for homes with older roofs;

“Homes with older roofs, they’re going to get hit the hardest. If your roof is new, the rate increase is going to hit you the least. But never the less, insurance companies are still going to raise their rates across the board, and its possible many of them are going to go out of business,” Matthew Carlucci, the co-owner of Brightway Insurance, said.

Carlucci believes the one solution to stop this is for the state to step in.

“I think ultimately what’s going to happen is the state is going to federalize wind coverage in Florida. So a state owned company is going to provide all the wind coverage for everyone and private market companies are going to insure for all other perils,” Carlucci said.

In the meantime, Carlucci suggest homeowners replace their roof if they can, or make some changes to your policy.

“I recommend looking at lowering your personal property coverage, which is typically going to be coverage ‘C’. If you lower that and you remove replacement costs from your personal property, there’s a good chance you’ll save a couple hundred dollars or more per year,” Carlucci said.

Some homeowners like Rode are planning to deal with the increase, seeing it as the cost of living where they want.

“I will deal with whatever the insurance costs are, because we love to live in San Marco on the River,” Rode said.

Homeowners planning to make a claim are encouraged to keep any damaged items, take pictures, and file as soon as possible.