Why is Florida home insurance so expensive?

Asked by: Bianka Jast  |  Last update: August 27, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (64 votes)

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.

Why are homeowners insurance rates so high in Florida?

Essentially, Florida insurance companies must price policies so that they have enough money to cover claims expected from catastrophic losses such as hurricanes. Because Florida has the highest risk of catastrophe of any state, Florida homeowners insurance typically costs more than the national average.

What is the average cost for homeowners insurance in Florida?

Average Costs and Cheapest Homeowners Insurance Companies in Florida. The average cost of homeowners insurance in Florida is $2,359 per year. At an average cost of $1,083 per year, Travelers offers the cheapest policies in the state.

How can I lower my homeowners insurance in Florida?

12 Ways To Lower Your Home Insurance Premiums (in Florida)
  1. Know Your Property's Value.
  2. Reinforce Your Home.
  3. Get a Wind Mitigation Inspection.
  4. Ask for Available Discounts.
  5. Use Private Insurance.
  6. Maintain a Good Credit Score.
  7. Go Slow on the Small Claims.
  8. Increase Your Deductibles.

Why is it so hard to get home 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.

Here's why home insurance costs continue to rise in Florida

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Are insurance companies pulling out of Florida?

Southern Fidelity is just one of several property insurance companies ending business in Florida in the last six months. Avatar, St. Johns, and Lighthouse are all in liquidation. FedNat dropped 68,000 policies, nearly half their customers, and Lexington Insurance pulled out of the state.

Is State Farm pulling out of Florida?

State Farm Abandons Florida's Homeowners Market State Farm has notified officials in Florida that it plans to stop selling property insurance there. The move may leave 1.2 million State Farm customers in the hurricane-prone state looking for an insurance company.

Do all homes in Florida require hurricane insurance?

Yes, homeowners insurance covers hurricane damage in Florida. In some hurricane-prone states, you need a separate windstorm insurance endorsement or policy. But Florida law requires insurers to include hurricane windstorm coverage as part of a property insurance policy.

Is it mandatory to have home insurance 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.

Does credit score affect homeowners insurance?

Depending on the insurer, and the state you live in, a bad credit history may have no impact or can more than double your homeowners insurance rates. We found that an excellent credit score could reduce home insurance premiums by 20% or more.

What states have the highest home insurance rates?

The most expensive states for homeowners insurance are Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. The cheapest states for homeowners insurance include Oregon, Utah, Idaho, Nevada and Wisconsin.

What is the average hurricane deductible in Florida?

Hurricane Deductible Florida

Insurers are required by law to offer an average hurricane deductible in Florida of $500, 2%, 5% and 10% of your policy's dwelling limit.

How much is hurricane insurance in Florida per month?

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.

Is house insurance going up in Florida?

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation held a hearing during which the Florida Farm Bureau asked to hike its homeowner policy rate by 48.7%. First Floridian sought approval for a 22.9% increase and Kin Interinsurance wants to hike its rates 25.1%.

How much is homeowners insurance in Florida per month?

How much is homeowners insurance in Florida? The average cost of a standard homeowners policy in Florida is $2,414 a year, or $201 a month. Most insurance companies offer discounts that can bring your rates down by a little or a lot, depending on how many you qualify to receive.

Is property insurance expensive in Florida?

Homeowners insurance in Florida costs an average of $3,643 a year, well above the national average. State Farm and Travelers are among the best home insurance companies in Florida. Home insurance in Florida can be complicated and expensive, especially in coastal areas that see frequent hurricanes.

How old can a roof be in Florida for insurance?

The law prohibits insurance companies from automatically denying coverage solely based on the age of a roof so long as it's less than 15 years old. Similarly, if the roof has at least five years of life remaining, insurers can't refuse to issue a policy.

What should I look for in homeowners insurance in Florida?

Several factors can determine your ability to obtain cheap home insurance in Florida, including:
  • The age of the home.
  • The materials your home is made of.
  • The cost to rebuild the home.
  • The fire rating of your location.
  • The claims history of your location.
  • Your personal claims history.
  • Coverage limits and deductibles.

Does homeowners insurance go down when mortgage is paid off?

Here's the bad news: Your property taxes and homeowners insurance don't go away once you pay off your mortgage.

Is wind coverage required in Florida?

Do I need windstorm insurance? Windstorm insurance covers property damage and dwelling by strong winds, rain, hail, dust and other substances caused by windstorms. Although Florida's law does not require homeowners to obtain windstorm insurance, most mortgage lenders do.

What is the minimum 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.

Does Florida have a wind pool?

Wind-pool areas include beachfront and coastal properties that are located within 1,500 feet of a major body of water. Citizens Insurance, Florida's insurer of last resort, is usually the only company that provides windstorm insurance coverage in these regions.

Did Allstate pull out Florida?

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Allstate Corp., the largest property casualty insurer in Florida, announced a series of steps late Wednesday that will help the company pull back from the state's insurance market after an unprecedented hurricane season last year cost it more than $1 billion.

Does State Farm issue homeowners insurance in Florida?

Best overall home insurance in Florida: State Farm

Affordable rates and reliable service come together at State Farm to make it the best home insurance company for most Florida homeowners.