Insurance Insights & Updates for 2026

The ACA Subsidy Cliff: What Expired Tax Credits Mean for Your 2026 Premium

If your Health Insurance Marketplace bill jumped this year, you're not imagining it. The enhanced premium tax credits that lowered ACA premiums since 2021 — first introduced under the American Rescue Plan and extended through 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act — expired at the end of 2025. Congress did not renew them before the deadline, so 2026 Marketplace subsidies reverted to their original, smaller pre-2021 formula.

The impact is significant. Analysts estimate the average Marketplace enrollee is paying roughly double what they paid last year for the same coverage — an increase of around $1,000 or more annually for many households. The change hits hardest for people in the middle-income range who previously qualified for larger subsidies, and for older enrollees who tend to pay higher base premiums.

What this means if you have ACA coverage

• Your subsidy amount for 2026 is smaller than in prior years, even if your income hasn't changed.
• Some households that previously qualified for $0 premium bronze plans may now owe a monthly payment.
• It's worth re-shopping your plan rather than letting it auto-renew — a different metal tier or carrier may fit your budget better under the new subsidy math.

The good news: subsidies didn't disappear entirely, they just shrank. And because this is a significant, well-publicized change, it may itself qualify some households for a special enrollment opportunity to review options. Either way, a licensed agent can run your numbers under the current rules and show you what you actually qualify for — no obligation.

Missed Open Enrollment? How Special Enrollment Periods Work in 2026

The 2026 Open Enrollment Period ran from November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026 in most states. If that window has already closed and you don't currently have coverage, you're not necessarily out of options until the next Open Enrollment period begins this fall (November 1 – December 15, 2026, for 2027 coverage).

Outside of Open Enrollment, you can still enroll in or change an ACA-compliant plan if you experience a qualifying life event. Most qualifying events open a 60-day Special Enrollment Period (SEP) starting on the date of the event.

Common qualifying life events

• Losing job-based health coverage, Medicaid, or other minimum essential coverage
• Getting married or divorced
• Having a baby, adopting a child, or gaining a dependent
• Moving to a new ZIP code or coverage area
• A significant change in household income
• Turning 26 and aging off a parent's plan
• Gaining eligible immigration status

If you've had one of these events in the last 60 days, you likely still have a window to enroll. Documentation requirements vary by event type, and the clock is running the moment the event occurs — so it pays to act quickly rather than wait. If you're not sure whether your situation qualifies, we can check for you in a few minutes.

5 Medicare Advantage Changes to Know for 2026

Medicare Advantage keeps growing — more than half of eligible beneficiaries are now enrolled in an MA plan rather than Original Medicare. With that growth has come a round of rule changes for 2026 that are worth knowing, whether you're already enrolled or comparing plans for the first time.

1. Behavioral health cost-sharing parity

Starting in 2026, Medicare Advantage plans must match or improve on Original Medicare's cost-sharing for behavioral health services, closing a gap that left some enrollees paying more out of pocket for mental health care than for physical health care.

2. New referral requirements at some carriers

Beginning January 1, 2026, members in certain Medicare Advantage HMO/POS plans — including UnitedHealthcare — are required to get a referral from their primary care provider before seeing certain specialists. If you're enrolled in an HMO-style plan, check your plan's specific rules before your next specialist visit.

3. Tighter rules on chronic-illness supplemental benefits

CMS has narrowed what counts as an allowable Special Supplemental Benefit for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) — those extra perks some plans advertise now have to show a reasonable link to improving or maintaining a chronic condition.

4. D-SNP eligibility changes

New eligibility requirements for Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) mean some current enrollees may need to switch plans to stay enrolled — worth checking now rather than at your next doctor visit.

5. Plan choice remains strong

Despite the changes, access hasn't shrunk — the vast majority of Medicare beneficiaries still have access to 10 or more Medicare Advantage plans in their area for 2026.

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31) has already passed for 2026, but if you're turning 65, losing other coverage, or just want a second opinion on your current plan, we can walk through your options anytime.

Why Florida Homeowners Are Paying More for Insurance in 2026

Home insurance premiums are on track to rise for a fifth straight year nationally in 2026, with the average U.S. policy projected to climb to roughly $3,057 — up about 46% since 2021, nearly three times the rate of general inflation. Florida continues to sit at the very top of that list, with average premiums approaching $8,500, more than double the national average.

The main driver is climate risk. Insurers point to the rising frequency and severity of storms, along with higher rebuilding and materials costs, as the biggest factors pushing rates up. Billion-dollar weather disasters have become more than five times as common as they were in the 1980s, after adjusting for inflation.

The upside: increases are slowing

There is a bit of good news — most regions, including much of Florida, are expected to see smaller increases in 2026 than in the previous few years, helped by improved reinsurance conditions and a calmer 2025 storm season. It's a slowdown, not a reversal, but it's a meaningfully different trend than the sharp jumps homeowners saw from 2021 to 2024.

What you can do about it

• Ask about wind mitigation and roof-age discounts — Florida-specific credits can meaningfully lower your premium.
• Re-shop your policy annually rather than auto-renewing; carrier appetite and pricing shift constantly in this market.
• Bundle home and auto where it makes sense, and review your deductible against your actual savings cushion.

As independent agents, we work with multiple carriers rather than just one — which matters a lot in a market like Florida's, where pricing and availability can vary dramatically by company.

Auto Insurance Rates Are Finally Stabilizing in 2026

After a rough few years — premiums jumped 11.6% in 2023, 17.1% in 2024, and 7.6% in 2025 — auto insurance rates are projected to rise less than 1% on average in 2026, the smallest increase since 2022. For many drivers, that means your bill may finally hold roughly steady this year.

The slowdown reflects insurers catching up on years of higher claim costs, pricier vehicle repairs (up more than 36% since 2021), and more expensive vehicle technology. With those cost pressures easing, more than half of states are expected to see rates hold flat or even drop in 2026, while a smaller group of states will still see increases.

What this means for you

• If your renewal came in higher this year, it may be worth comparing carriers rather than assuming every company raised rates equally — some of the largest insurers are actually lowering prices in 2026.
• Rate movement still varies a lot by state and even by ZIP code, so a national trend doesn't guarantee your bill will drop.
• This is a good year to review your coverage limits and discounts (safe driver, bundling, telematics) rather than just chasing the lowest premium.

Because we're independent, we can shop your policy across multiple carriers to see who's actually competitive for your situation right now — rather than you guessing which company to call.

6 Ways to Lower Your Insurance Costs Without Losing Coverage

With health, home, and auto premiums all under pressure this year, it's a good time to make sure you're not leaving savings on the table. None of these require dropping coverage you actually need — they just make sure you're not overpaying for it.

1. Bundle your policies

Combining home (or renters) and auto with the same carrier often unlocks a meaningful multi-policy discount — and simplifies your renewals to one relationship instead of several.

2. Re-shop annually, don't auto-renew blindly

Carrier pricing and underwriting appetite shift constantly. A policy that was competitive two years ago may not be today. An independent agent can compare several carriers at once instead of you calling around.

3. Revisit your deductible

Raising your deductible on home or auto coverage can lower your premium meaningfully — just make sure the higher deductible is an amount you could comfortably pay out of pocket if you had to.

4. Ask about every discount you qualify for

Safe driver, good student, wind mitigation, home security systems, claims-free history, and paid-in-full discounts often aren't applied automatically — you sometimes have to ask.

5. Review your ACA subsidy eligibility

With 2026 subsidy rules changed, some households are eligible for more help than they assume, and others should double-check they're on the right metal tier for their new numbers.

6. Work with an independent agent

Captive agents can only sell you their one company's product. As independent agents, we compare multiple carriers side by side and recommend what actually fits your situation — at no extra cost to you.