Do I need hurricane insurance in Florida?

Asked by: Rosetta Boehm  |  Last update: July 21, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (70 votes)

Florida law requires property insurance policies to include coverage for damage caused by wind during a storm that the National Hurricane Center declares to be a hurricane. Policyholders are eligible for premium discounts for installing certain wind resistant features on their homes.

What is the average cost of hurricane insurance in Florida?

How much is hurricane insurance in Florida? The average cost of NFIP flood insurance in Florida is $628, while homeowners insurance costs $2,047 a year on average, according to NerdWallet's rate analysis. Depending on where you live, you may also need to buy separate windstorm insurance.

Does insurance cover hurricane damage in Florida?

Generally speaking, there is no such thing as “hurricane insurance,” or a specific policy that Florida homeowners can purchase to protect against these storms.

Do you need hurricane insurance in Florida condo?

While condo associations are generally required to carry insurance, Florida statutes don't require your association's policy to include most fixtures and systems specific to your condo. You're not required to carry insurance for these items, but it may be a simple way to protect yourself financially.

Do I need windstorm insurance in Florida?

Wind insurance isn't mandatory in Florida, but your mortgage lender may require it. Regardless of whether it is required for you, windstorm insurance is a good consideration for Florida homeowners, given that the state regularly experiences strong winds, hurricanes and other storms.

Florida Insurance 2022: Major Changes to Homeowners & Flood Policies

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Is wind coverage the same as hurricane coverage?

With a hurricane comes both wind and water, but a windstorm policy will only cover you for wind. Dealing with the insurance company can become a major hassle if the cause of the damage — wind or water — is ambivalent.

What is hurricane deductible in Florida?

All insurance companies must offer Hurricane Deductible options of $500, 2 percent, 5 percent, or 10 percent of the policy dwelling or structure limits, unless the specific percentage deductible is less than $500.

What type of homeowners insurance is required in Florida?

Florida law does not require the purchase of homeowners' insurance, but most people want to insure the largest investment they may ever make – their home.

How much is hurricane insurance for a condo in Florida?

Homeowners pay an average of $2,043 per year for a $150,000 house, while landlords pay around $2,340 per year and condo owners pay about $600 per year for a similarly priced home. Renters in Florida only pay about $180 per year.

Is it expensive to insure a house in Florida?

First, it could be helpful to know that the average cost of home insurance in Florida in 2022 is $1,648 per year for $250,000 in dwelling coverage, which is higher than the national average of $1,383 per year.

Who provides hurricane insurance in Florida?

The Florida legislature created a state run insurance safety net, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, to provide insurance to homeowners who cannot find insurance in the private market. Citizens is currently Florida's largest property insurer, covering 1.2 million policyholders.

Do you need hurricane insurance in Orlando?

Orlando Hurricane Insurance Covers Your Vehicle

Although comprehensive insurance is not mandatory by law, it is typically required by lenders if you are still paying for your vehicle and by dealerships if it is being leased.

What is a 2% hurricane deductible?

While a regular homeowners insurance policy deductible is a fixed dollar amount—say, $500 or $2,000—a hurricane deductible might be 2% to 5% percent of a home's insured value, or $2,000 to $5,000 for every $100,000 in home coverage.

Does hurricane insurance cover tropical storms?

Insurance companies may charge separate wind, named storm, or hurricane deductible before they'll pay out for tropical storm damage. Home insurance won't cover flood damage, so you'll need flood insurance to cover your home against hurricane storm surge.

Can you get insurance right before a hurricane?

During hurricane season, insurance companies wait until 24 to 48 hours before the impact to issue a moratorium on buying new policies.

What is the difference between hurricane and flood insurance?

Flood insurance, generally covers water coming into your home from off of your property. Hurricane insurance is for wind damage, not flooding, from a storm over 74 mph, ie a hurricane.

Why is Florida condo insurance so expensive?

The story behind Florida home insurance costs

Legislation specific to Florida property insurance, the state's susceptibility to hurricanes, and a rising rate of insurance fraud have all contributed to the state currently costing homeowners almost twice as much for insurance as in other states.

How much is hurricane insurance in Florida Keys?

“Nationwide, the average policy is about $800, in the Florida Keys, people are paying $3,000, $4,000 and$5,000 for their policies.

How much is wind and flood insurance in Florida?

Some property insurers will simply charge you a separate deductible in the event of wind damages. The average cost of homeowners insurance in Florida is $1,353 per year for $250,000 in dwelling coverage.

Why is Florida homeowners insurance so expensive?

Florida homeowners insurers are significantly raising their prices and denying renewal of policies. Causes of the rate hike include weather-related risk and increased claim frequency in the region. Saving opportunities, like wind mitigation discounts, can lower your home insurance costs.

Do I need flood insurance in Florida?

Flood insurance is not required for every home in Florida. Approximately 20% of flood insurance claims come from moderate- to low-risk areas where flood insurance may not be required.

Why is it so hard to get homeowners insurance in Florida?

Florida home insurance has always been complex due to the state's high risk of storm damage, but the incidence of fraudulent roofing claims has pushed the market to the brink of collapse.

Can you get homeowners insurance in Florida without hurricane coverage?

Despite the high risk, Florida doesn't specifically require hurricane insurance. That's because hurricane insurance isn't a separate policy you can purchase. It's included in a standard property insurance policy.

What does 1% hurricane deductible mean?

Hurricane deductibles are what you pay for home repairs after hurricane damage and are usually higher (much higher) than a regular home insurance deductible. For example: If you have a house fire, you would pay the amount of your regular deductible toward repairs—let's say, $1,000.

What does 5% hurricane deductible mean?

But percentage deductibles are based on the home's insured value. So if a house is insured for $300,000 and has a 5 percent deductible, the first $15,000 of a claim must be paid out of the policyholder's pocket. The details of hurricane deductibles are spelled out on the declarations page of homeowners policies.