Most homeowners insurers give discounts for improvements that are likely to help avoid damage, such as hurricane shutters or roof improvements. More home "hardening" -- making houses better able to withstand storms -- has been cited by Gov. Jeb Bush and other officials as a big part of solving Florida's insurance problem.

Insurance has become unaffordable for many homeowners, with premiums more than doubling for many in the past few years as Florida has been hit by seven hurricanes and forecasters have warned the state to brace for more active seasons.

"When I got the [bill] I flipped," DelMonaco said. "Where am I going to come up with this kind of money? Somebody out there has to listen. ... We need help."

Many homeowners have complained that the discounts aren't enough, and it's not clear what kind of a break they would actually get if they spent hundreds or thousands of dollars on improvements.

Bush asked the committee to try to come up with solutions. It discussed the possibility of setting industrywide standards that would tell consumers at least a range of possible percentage reductions to their bill if they make certain improvements, such as replacing their garage door with a sturdier one, or getting non-breakable glass windows.

While the panel didn't write a recommendation with any standards for what such discounts would be, several members said consumers clearly want more information about what they might save.

"I think you've heard a consensus of [setting] at least a minimum that companies would give," said Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings, the panel's chairwoman.

But insurers say that if a standard discount is required, it has to be based on scientific evidence that improvements would reduce claims by a certain amount.

Insurers say it would be impossible to set a particular dollar amount for various improvements for every customer, because other factors would affect the person's premium.

While some homeowners have complained they've made expensive improvements but haven't realized big savings, industry officials point out that they may have had savings but didn't realize it -- if their home stood up to a storm.

Homeowners who put up shutters may not have seen what they consider a huge savings in premium -- but they may have saved by not having to pay big deductibles because their home didn't have any damage in a hurricane, noted John Laurie, an insurance agent and member of the committee's advisory panel.

The prospect exists to call a legislative special session before the November election to try to put changes into law if a consensus could be reached on what would be up for consideration.

"This is an immediate crisis," said state Sen. Ron Klein, D-Delray Beach, who joined Sen. Skip Campbell, D-Tamarac, at a news conference. "It doesn't matter if there's an election or not, [lawmakers] need to get their butts up here and serve."

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