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Now you can compare homeowner insurance rates quickly and easily in all 67 Florida counties on your home computer.

The www.ShopAndCompareRates.com Web site is up and running. Gov. Charlie Crist and Commissioner Kevin McCarty of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation jointly announced the launch Tuesday.

"Many Florida homeowners find it difficult and frustrating to compare the cost of homeowners insurance," Crist said. "This site is a valuable tool and serves as starting point to help Floridians find the insurance policy best suited to their needs."

"We hope this new interactive, on-line feature will provide Floridians the information they need to obtain the best coverage for their homes," McCarty said.

The site lets you click on a county and see a pop-up window with a sampling of insurance companies and rates for insuring a typical home. The list of companies is sorted by cost and has a link to access the firm’s contact information.

Crist ceremonially signed legislation that freezes Citizens Property Insurance rates and puts in place mores measures to help stabilize the insurance market.

Senate Bill 2498, which was signed into law on June 11, freezes CPI rates until January 1, 2009. A spokesman for Crist said the legislation makes affordable property insurance available to more people. The bill allows Florida citizens to purchase the CPI coverage if the cost of private insurance is more than 15 percent of a comparable Citizens policy. The bill requires subsidiaries of Florida companies to report the profits of the parent firm.

"This legislation is another important step in the right direction for Florida’s homeowners," Crist said. "I am grateful to the members of the Florida Legislature for renewing their commitment to providing broad-based, meaningful and comprehensive insurance reform for the people of Florida."

Sen. Rudy Garcia, R-Hialeah and Rep. Julio Robaina, R-Miami, were sponsors of the bill.

McCarty said the insurance market in Florida is becoming more competitive, thanks to the leadership of Crist and the Florida Legislature.