Hurricane Ian is the latest blow to struggling Florida home insurers

Hurricane Ian will be a serious test of Florida’s unusual home insurance market, where dozens of small and midsize insurers and a state-run insurer of last resort play a prominent role in paying claims.

These relatively obscure private sector insurers and the rapidly growing common carrier are backed by reinsurance companies. There is enough coverage available to handle claims even if Hurricane Ian makes landfall in Tampa, officials said. But insurers could be hit by a wave of lawsuits driving up their costs, or by a further increase in premium rates charged by reinsurers.