# Homeowners Insurance in Florida

> What homeowners insurance may cover in Florida, hurricane deductibles and flood, what insurers look at, and how an independent agency can help.

We help Florida homeowners understand their coverage options, compare available insurers, and request a quote.

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## What is homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance is a package policy. It helps pay to repair or rebuild your home and replace your belongings after a covered loss, and it includes liability coverage if you are legally responsible for someone else's injury or property damage. Coverages, limits, exclusions, and deductibles vary by policy and insurance company.

## Is homeowners insurance required in Florida?

This is a summary of what the state publishes, as of November 2026. An agent can explain what applies to you.

- **Not by state law**: Florida law does not require you to buy homeowners insurance. Some cities and counties may require liability coverage if you own certain pets or a swimming pool.
- **Usually by your lender**: For mortgaged homes, most lending institutions require insurance on the home, and flood coverage as well if the home is in a special flood zone. Most lenders also require windstorm coverage.
- **If coverage lapses**: A lender may buy a policy for you and bill you for it. The state warns that this coverage may cost more, covers only the structure, and names the lender as the insured.

## What does homeowners insurance cover?

A homeowners policy normally provides the coverages below. Each has its own limit, shown on the policy's declarations page.

- **Dwelling** (Typically included): The structure of your home. Damage is covered when it is caused by a peril the policy covers, such as fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, theft or an accidental discharge of water.
- **Other structures** (Typically included): Structures on the property that are not attached to the home, like sheds, fences and detached garages.
- **Personal property** (Typically included): The contents of your home and other belongings owned by you or family members who live with you.
- **Loss of use** (Typically included): Also called additional living expense. Pays extra costs, such as food and temporary housing, when covered damage keeps you from living in your home.
- **Personal liability** (Typically included): Protects you against a claim or lawsuit for bodily injury or property damage to others for which you are legally liable, including legal fees, up to a limit.
- **Medical payments to others** (Typically included): Pays medical expenses, up to a limit, for people accidentally injured at your home, regardless of fault.
- **Windstorm and hail** (Included unless excluded in writing): Damage from windstorms, hurricanes and hail is part of virtually all homeowners policies unless you sign a statement excluding it. In Florida's wind-pool area it is likely written as a separate policy.
- **Law and ordinance** (Included unless refused in writing): Helps with the added cost of rebuilding to current building codes. It is included at 25 percent of the dwelling limit, and a 50 percent limit must be offered.
- **Catastrophic ground cover collapse** (Included by law): Covers a narrowly defined ground collapse that leaves the home condemned and ordered vacated. It is not the same as sinkhole coverage.

Exact coverage, limits, deductibles and exclusions depend on the policy, the insurance company and underwriting.

## What homeowners insurance may not cover

These are limits and exclusions that Florida's consumer guide points out. Your policy is the final word on what is and is not covered.

- **Flood**: Most homeowners policies exclude flood damage, meaning rising water. Flood insurance is a separate policy.
- **Sinkholes**: Insurance companies are not required to include sinkhole coverage automatically. It must be made available for an additional premium, and the company may inspect the property first.
- **Mold**: Mold that results from a covered loss is typically covered, but most insurance companies limit the amount, and some exclude it.
- **Valuables**: Policies usually have special limits on items such as cash, jewelry, silverware, guns and antiques. Additional coverage can usually be added for an additional premium.
- **Auto accidents and intentional harm**: Personal liability does not cover your legal liability from an automobile accident, or intentional damage or harm caused by you or family members who live with you.
- **A business at home**: Medical payments coverage does not apply to activities involving an at-home business.

## Coverage choices to review

A few choices shape how a policy responds when you have a claim. An agent can explain each one without choosing for you.

- **Replacement cost or actual cash value**: Replacement cost pays to repair or replace without deducting depreciation. Actual cash value deducts it. Most policies require the home to be insured for at least 80 percent of its replacement value to receive the replacement cost benefit.
- **Deductibles**: Policies typically have two deductibles, one for hurricanes and one for all other perils, and some have a separate roof deductible. Hurricane deductible options include $500, 2 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent of the dwelling limit, depending on the home's insured value.
- **Law and ordinance limit**: You can keep the included 25 percent of the dwelling limit or choose the 50 percent limit for an additional premium.

## Florida situations worth knowing

- **When the hurricane deductible applies**: It applies from the time a hurricane warning is issued for any part of Florida until 72 hours after the last hurricane watch or warning ends, even if the storm is later downgraded.
- **One hurricane deductible per year**: With the same insurance company, you only pay one hurricane deductible in a calendar year. The state advises filing a claim even when the damage is below the deductible, so the amount is credited.
- **Buy before a storm is on the way**: You cannot obtain new or additional coverage once a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning has been issued for any area of Florida.
- **Flood is a separate policy**: Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program or private insurers. The program's policies normally have a 30-day waiting period unless bought when you purchase or refinance the home.
- **Sinkholes**: Only catastrophic ground cover collapse is included automatically. For a sinkhole claim to be covered under optional sinkhole coverage, structural damage must be present.
- **Wind mitigation discounts**: Insurance companies must offer discounts or credits for features shown to reduce windstorm damage, such as roof strength, roof-to-wall connections and protection for windows and doors.

## Dwelling, personal property and liability compared

| Coverage | Dwelling | Personal property | Liability |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| What it generally addresses | The structure of your home and attached structures, such as a garage. | Belongings such as furniture, clothing, and electronics. | Injury to others or damage to their property for which you may be legally responsible. |
| What to check | That the limit reflects the cost to rebuild, not the purchase price or the mortgage amount. | Special limits on valuables, and whether claims are paid at replacement cost or actual cash value. | The limit, and exclusions such as automobile accidents. |

## What insurers look at

Each insurance company has its own underwriting guidelines and can take up to 60 days to decide whether a home meets them. These are the factors Florida's consumer guide says are typically considered.

- **Age and construction**: The age of the home and how it is built. A frame house generally costs more to insure than one made of brick or masonry.
- **The roof**: The age of the roof is a typical underwriting factor.
- **Plumbing, wiring and systems**: The materials used in plumbing and electrical wiring, the brand of electrical panel, and the age and type of heating or air conditioning.
- **Location**: Where the home is can be an underwriting concern, especially near the coast or on a barrier island.
- **What is on the property**: Certain dog breeds, a trampoline, or unprotected elevated areas can rule out coverage with many insurance companies.
- **The cost to rebuild**: The dwelling limit should reflect current building material prices and labor rates. It does not include the value of the land.

## Getting a homeowners insurance quote

You do not need to have every detail figured out to get started.

1. **Send your request**: Tell us about your home and share how to reach you.
2. **An agent reviews it**: We look at your request and consider options that may fit your needs.
3. **Talk through options**: An agent follows up so you can ask questions and decide what feels right.

## What to do if your home is damaged

These steps come from Florida's Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights and the state's consumer guide. Your policy and your insurance company's instructions come first.

1. **Report it promptly**: File the claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. Florida law generally requires notice of a claim within one year after the date of loss.
2. **Prevent further damage**: Make reasonable emergency repairs and keep the receipts for materials and labor.
3. **Document everything**: Take photos or video of the damage before and after any repairs.
4. **Keep damaged items**: Do not throw away damaged property until the adjuster tells you to. The insurance company has a right to inspect the damage.
5. **Call before you sign**: Contact your insurance company before entering into any contract for repairs.
6. **Keep a record**: Keep a log of the dates, times and names of everyone you speak with about the claim, and a copy of anything you sign.

## Coverage that can work together

- [Flood Insurance](https://www.quoteasy.com/personal/flood-insurance/): Most homeowners policies exclude flood damage; it is insured as a separate policy.
- [Auto Insurance](https://www.quoteasy.com/personal/auto-insurance/): Homeowners liability does not cover your legal liability from an automobile accident.
- [Valuable Personal Property Insurance](https://www.quoteasy.com/personal/valuable-personal-property-insurance/): Homeowners policies usually have special limits on jewelry, silverware and antiques.

## Why work with an independent agent

An independent agency is not tied to a single insurance company.

- **More than one option**: We review options from our insurers. Availability depends on underwriting.
- **Plain-language guidance**: We explain limits, exclusions, and deductibles before you choose.
- **Support as things change**: A new roof or a move can change your needs. We can help review your policy.

## Homeowners insurance questions

### Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

Most homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy, available through the National Flood Insurance Program or private insurers, and the program's policies normally have a 30-day waiting period. Ask an agent about your options.

### How does a hurricane deductible work?

It is a separate deductible, often a percentage of the dwelling limit, that applies to windstorm damage during a hurricane. In Florida it applies once per calendar year when you stay with the same insurance company. For a second hurricane in the same year, the deductible is the greater of what remains of the hurricane deductible or your all-other-perils deductible.

### Why is my home insured for a different amount than I paid for it?

The dwelling limit is based on the cost to rebuild the home at current material and labor prices. The purchase price, the mortgage amount and the taxable value are not reliable guides, and the value of the land is not included.

### How long does the insurance company have to respond to a claim?

Under Florida's Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights, you should receive an acknowledgment of a reported claim within 7 days and, subject to conditions, payment or denial within 60 days. The state also offers mediation for disputed claims.

### How do I get a homeowners insurance quote?

Complete the quote request form or contact us, and an agent will follow up to review your information and options. Quotes and coverage are subject to underwriting and the terms of the insurance company.

## Ready for a homeowners insurance quote?

Tell us about your home and an agent will help you review your options.

[Get a Quote](https://www.quoteasy.com/get-a-quote/)

Source: https://www.quoteasy.com/personal/homeowner-insurance/