Florida Homeowners Insurance
Home Insurance in Florida
TL;DR: Florida homeowners insurance is more complicated than most states — carriers are exiting, rates are rising, and Citizens isn’t always your only option. As an independent agency, we shop multiple A-rated carriers to find the best combination of price and coverage for your specific home. Wind mitigation credits, roof age, and bundling can all lower your premium. Call 813-425-1626 or start your quote online.
Your home is likely your most valuable asset. In Florida, protecting it requires more than just a standard Florida Homeowners Insurance policy — it requires a strategy. Florida Insurance Savings connects you with the team at Think Safe Insurance so you can compare options across multiple top-rated carriers, understand your coverage clearly, and choose protection that actually fits your budget and your risk.
Florida homeowners face a market unlike anywhere else in the country. Carriers have been exiting the state, non-renewing policies, and raising rates. Citizens Insurance has grown to become the largest insurer in Florida by default — not by choice. Navigating this landscape without an independent agent is harder than it used to be.
Or call 813-425-1626 to speak with someone directly.
Why Florida Home Insurance Is So Complicated
Florida’s homeowners insurance market has been in crisis for years. Several major carriers stopped writing new policies or pulled out entirely. Others have been approved for significant rate increases by the state. The result: Florida homeowners are paying some of the highest premiums in the nation and often receiving less coverage than they expect.
The main drivers of Florida’s high rates:
- Hurricane and wind exposure — Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the US
- Roof age and condition — carriers heavily weight roof age in underwriting decisions
- Litigation history — Florida has historically had high rates of insurance litigation, driving up costs for everyone
- Reinsurance costs — carriers pass along their own rising reinsurance costs to policyholders
- Citizens depopulation — as Citizens tries to reduce its exposure, policyholders are being moved to private carriers at higher rates
An independent agent who understands this market can help you find carriers that are still actively writing in your area, price competitively, and have solid claims history.
How to Lower Your Florida Home Insurance Premium
Florida has some of the highest insurance rates in the country, but you don’t have to accept your current renewal price. There are legitimate ways to reduce what you pay — and an independent agent can help you find them.
Wind Mitigation Credits
This is the biggest savings opportunity most Florida homeowners overlook. Features like hurricane straps, hip-shaped roofs, impact-resistant windows and doors, and reinforced garage doors can lower the wind portion of your premium by 20–50% or more. The key is having a current OIR-B1-1802 wind mitigation inspection on file with your carrier. If your home has these features but you don’t have the inspection report, you’re leaving money on the table. We can review your existing report or point you toward an inspector.
Roof Age and Material
Carriers heavily factor roof age into pricing and eligibility. A roof installed after 2002 — and especially after 2010 — qualifies for significantly better rates with most carriers. Some carriers won’t write new policies at all on roofs over 15–20 years old. If you’ve recently replaced your roof, make sure your carrier has updated documentation — it can meaningfully reduce your premium.
Bundling Home and Auto
Some carriers offer discounts when you bundle your auto insurance with your homeowners policy. Beyond the potential savings, having everything with one agency simplifies service, renewals, and claims coordination.
Shopping at Renewal
Florida carriers re-price frequently. The company that was best for you two years ago may not be competitive today. As an independent agency, we can re-shop your coverage at renewal to make sure you’re still getting the best available combination of price and protection.
What Does Florida Homeowners Insurance Cover?
A standard HO-3 homeowners policy typically covers:
- Dwelling coverage — repairs or rebuilding of your home’s structure after a covered loss
- Other structures — detached garages, fences, sheds
- Personal property — furniture, electronics, clothing, and other belongings
- Loss of use — temporary living expenses if your home is uninhabitable after a covered loss
- Liability — protection if someone is injured on your property
- Medical payments — limited coverage for minor injuries to guests
What it does not cover: flood damage, sinkhole (unless added), and certain types of water damage. These require separate policies or endorsements.
Hurricane and Wind Deductibles in Florida
Florida homeowners policies have a separate hurricane deductible — distinct from your standard all-peril deductible. This is typically expressed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage (1%, 2%, 5%, or 10%) rather than a flat dollar amount.
What that means in practice: on a $300,000 home with a 2% hurricane deductible, you’d pay the first $6,000 out of pocket before your insurance kicks in for hurricane-related damage. Many homeowners don’t realize this until they file a claim.
Understanding your deductible structure before a storm — not after — is critical. We walk every client through this so there are no surprises.
Don’t Forget Flood Insurance
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover rising water damage. This is one of the most common and costly misconceptions Florida homeowners have. Whether you’re in a designated high-risk flood zone or a “low-risk” neighborhood, flood damage can happen — and without a separate policy, you’re paying out of pocket.
We offer both NFIP (federal) and private flood insurance options. Private flood has become increasingly competitive in Florida and often provides broader coverage at a lower cost than NFIP. Learn more on our Florida Flood Insurance page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Citizens Insurance my only option in Florida?
No. Citizens is the insurer of last resort — you’re only eligible if you can’t find coverage in the private market at a comparable price. As an independent agency, we have access to multiple private carriers that are actively writing policies in Florida. Most homeowners have more options than they think.
What is a wind mitigation inspection and do I need one?
A wind mitigation inspection is performed by a licensed inspector and documents the wind-resistant features of your home. The resulting OIR-B1-1802 form is submitted to your carrier to qualify for credits. If your home has a hip roof, hurricane straps, or impact windows, you almost certainly qualify for meaningful savings. The inspection typically costs $75–$150 and can save you hundreds per year. Learn more about Florida home inspections.
My carrier is non-renewing my policy. What do I do?
Call us immediately. Non-renewals in Florida are common right now and you typically have 45–90 days to find alternative coverage. We can shop the market quickly and help you find a replacement policy before your current one expires. Don’t wait until the last minute — some carriers have tightened eligibility requirements and options narrow as your deadline approaches.
Does my homeowners policy cover my home-based business?
Standard homeowners policies have very limited coverage for business equipment and no liability coverage for business activities. If you run a business from home, you likely need a separate endorsement or a dedicated business insurance policy.
How much dwelling coverage do I need?
Dwelling coverage should reflect the cost to rebuild your home — not its market value. Construction costs in Florida have risen significantly since 2020. Many homeowners are underinsured without realizing it. We review replacement cost estimates as part of every quote to make sure you’re not caught short after a total loss. Learn more about how your Coverage A Dwelling Limit is set.
Can I get same-day coverage?
In most cases yes, especially if you have a current policy we can reference. Call 813-425-1626 or start your quote online and we’ll move as fast as you need.
Ready to Compare Florida Home Insurance Options?
Whether you’re buying a new home, facing a renewal increase, or just got a non-renewal notice — we’re here to help you find the best available coverage for your property and budget.
Prefer to talk? Call us at 813-425-1626.
Last Reviewed: May 2026