Florida homeowners should be aware of their hurricane insurance policies and what they cover. If your property was flooded during a recent hurricane, you may be wondering if your hurricane insurance policy covers the flood damage. In this blog post, we will discuss hurricane insurance policies in Florida and why most do not cover flood damage.
Has your hurricane damage claim been denied or underpaid? Our law firm has highly experienced hurricane insurance claim attorneys that can help you. Contact Herman & Wells to speak to an experienced insurance dispute attorney if you have any questions about your specific policy or if you believe your insurance provider has made the wrong decision, call (727) 821-3195.
In addition to residential property damage claims, our attorneys are able to help recover damages to commercial properties in Florida as well.
The Cliff Notes: Key Takeaways From This Post
We laid out some facts about flood damage insurance coverage; however, here are the key bullet points if you are in a rush:
- Hurricane insurance is not required in Florida, but it is sold as part of the standard homeowner’s insurance policy.
- Most policies do not cover hurricane damage, so homeowners should purchase a policy that does.
- Flood insurance may be required depending on location, and it should be purchased separately from a standard policy.
- Hurricane insurance covers damages caused by high winds and storm surges, and can pay to repair or rebuild homes if they are damaged by a hurricane.
- According to the Insurance Information Institute, Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the US, with 62 major hurricanes since 1851.
- Homeowners should be aware that their hurricane insurance typically only covers wind damage and debris damage – flooding is usually excluded unless specifically purchased as an optional rider or through a separate policy.
- There are two types of hurricane insurance coverage: wind coverage and storm surge.
- When a hurricane is approaching, homeowners should clear gutters/downspouts, trim trees/shrubs around property and secure outdoor furniture & items that could be blown away.
- If you’ve suffered flood damage from a hurricane and have no flood insurance coverage, contact your insurer for any available options or inquire with FEMA.
Is Hurricane Insurance Required In Florida?
No, hurricane insurance is not required in Florida. However, since Florida is located in a hurricane-prone area, hurricane insurance is sold as a part of the standard homeowner’s insurance policy. Hurricane insurance typically only covers wind damage and damages caused by flying debris. However, it does not typically cover flooding. So, if you’re concerned about flooding due, you will want to purchase separate flood insurance.
How About Flood Insurance?
There is no definitive answer, as the requirements often vary depending on your specific location within the state. However, it is generally recommended that you have flood insurance if you live in a hurricane-prone area. As stated above, many homeowners insurance policies do not cover flooding. If you live in a high-risk area, your mortgage lender will require you to buy a separate policy to protect your home from flood damage.
Why Hurricane Insurance Is Worth The Investment For Florida Homeowners
Hurricane insurance covers damages caused by high winds and storm surges. It will pay to repair or rebuild your home if it is damaged by a hurricane, and it will also cover the cost of temporary housing if your home is uninhabitable. The cost of hurricane insurance varies depending on the value of your home and the amount of coverage you need. But even if it seems like a lot, remember that the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home after a hurricane can be much higher. If you’re a Florida homeowner, hurricane insurance is definitely worth the investment.
Florida Hurricane Statistics
As a Florida homeowner, it’s important to be aware of the hurricane statistics for the state. According to the Insurance Information Institute, Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the U.S. In fact, since 1851 there have been 114 hurricanes that have affected the state of Florida – that’s more than any other state in the country.
Of those 114 hurricanes, 62 have been classified as major hurricanes (category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale). Major hurricanes are the most damaging and dangerous, so it’s important to be prepared if you live in an area that could be affected by one.
The most active months of the year for hurricanes in Florida are September and October. That’s why hurricane insurance is so important for Florida homeowners. If you don’t have hurricane insurance and a hurricane hits your area, you could be left with expensive repairs to your home – or even worse, no home at all.
Hurricane insurance can be costly, but it’s worth the peace of mind of knowing that you and your home are protected in the event of a major storm. If you’re a Florida homeowner, make sure you’re properly insured against hurricane damage.
Risk of Flooding From Hurricane Surge In Florida
The state of Florida sees an average of six hurricanes each year, and the risk of one making landfall is higher than anywhere else in the United States. This puts Florida homeowners at high risk for flooding damage from hurricane surge. Surge is the rise in water level caused by a hurricane’s winds pushing water toward the shore. It can cause extensive flooding and damage to homes and buildings in its path.
If Your Home Is Flooded During A Hurricane, Is It Covered By Your Hurricane Insurance Policy?
The quick answer is, it depends.
As stated earlier, your hurricane insurance policy will most likely cover wind damage. But, depending on your policy, it may or may not cover flooding. In Florida, home insurance policies typically exclude coverage for flood damage. So, if your home is flooded during a hurricane and you don’t have separate flood insurance, your hurricane policy won’t cover the damage.
However, some hurricane policies in Florida do provide limited coverage for flooding. This coverage is typically only available if you purchase it as an optional rider to your policy. If you’re unsure whether your hurricane policy covers flooding, the best thing to do is contact your insurance company and ask. They’ll be able to tell you precisely what your policy covers.
If you don’t have hurricane insurance or if your policy doesn’t cover flooding, you may still be able to get some financial assistance from the government. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers grants and low-interest loans to help people rebuild their homes after a disaster. But, these programs typically only cover essential repairs, not cosmetic damage. So, if your home is flooded during a hurricane, you may need to purchase separate flood insurance or rely on government assistance to help pay for the repairs.
Why Isn’t Flooding Covered By Hurricane Insurance Policies In Florida?
This is because flooding is considered a separate peril from hurricanes, and most standard homeowners insurance policies exclude coverage for flood damage. So if you want to be covered for floods, you’ll need to purchase a separate policy or add an endorsement to your existing policy that provides coverage for this type of damage.
Of course, this can be a bit confusing since hurricanes often cause flooding. But the way insurers see it, the hurricane itself isn’t the cause of the flooding, but rather the resulting heavy rains and storm surge. So if your home sustains flood damage from a hurricane, you may only be able to file a claim with your flood insurance policy, and not your hurricane insurance policy.
How To Protect A Florida Home From Flooding In The Event Of A Hurricane
No one wants to think about their home being destroyed by a hurricane, but it’s important to be prepared. Here’s what you need to know about coverage and how to protect your home from flooding:
There are two types of hurricane insurance coverage: wind coverage and storm surge.
Wind Coverage Insurance For Hurricanes
Wind coverage is a very important aspect of hurricane insurance policies in Florida, because it protects your home from the damage caused by hurricane-force winds. As we have seen most recently with Hurricane Ian, storms can make landfall in the Sunshine State with wind speeds over 150 mph!
Storm Surge Insurance For Hurricanes
Storm surge covers damage caused by the rising waters associated with a hurricane. In order to get the best possible rate on hurricane insurance, we recommend shopping around and comparing rates from different insurance providers.
Finding a good provider may prove more difficult in Florida following the destructive impact of Hurricane Ian. Be sure to subscribe to Herman & Wells on YouTube if you’d like to stay more informed on this situation moving forward.
When a hurricane is headed your way, there are also some safety tips you can follow to protect your home from flooding. Start by clearing gutters and downspouts and trimming trees and shrubs around your property.
You should also have a plan in place for securing your outdoor furniture and other items that could be blown away by high winds. And finally, make sure you have an emergency kit stocked with supplies like food, water, and a first-aid kit. By following these tips, you can help protect your home and property from damage in the event of a hurricane.
What Is The Insurance Claim Process Like If You Have Flood Damage After A Hurricane?
If you were fortunate enough to have hurricane insurance, then you may be wondering what the insurance claim process is like for flooding.
If you have hurricane insurance and suffer flood damage as a result of a hurricane, you will need to file two separate claims – one with your hurricane insurer and one with your flood insurer.
While this may seem like a hassle, it is important to do because if you only file a claim with your hurricane insurer, they will likely deny your claim outright.
So, if you have hurricane insurance and suffer flood damage as a result of a hurricane, be sure to file two separate claims – one with your hurricane insurer and one with your flood insurer. Doing so will give you the best chance of getting the coverage you need.
Average Time Required To Process A Hurricane Insurance Claim in Florida
Unfortunately, the process of filing a hurricane insurance claim in Florida can be complicated and time-consuming. According to recent data, the average time it takes to process a hurricane insurance claim in Florida is nearly two months. This is significantly longer than the national average of just over one month.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to the length of time it takes to process a hurricane insurance claim in Florida. First, the sheer volume of claims received after a hurricane can overwhelm insurance companies. In addition, many insurance companies do not have local adjusters in Florida, which can delay the claims process.
If you are filing a hurricane insurance claim in Florida, be sure to keep track of all correspondence with your insurance company. This will help to ensure that your claim is processed as quickly as possible.
Can You Speed Up The Claims Process If Your Home Has Flood Damage After A Hurricane?
If your home is in an area that was hit by a hurricane, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to speed up the claims process for flood damage. Here are some tips:
- Contact your insurance agent or company as soon as possible.
- Make a list of all damaged property, including photographs or video if possible.
- Keep damaged property, if possible, until an adjuster can inspect it.
- Obtain estimates for repair or replacement of damaged property.
- If you have a mortgage, notify your lender of the damage to your home.
Following these tips can help ensure that your claim is processed as quickly as possible. If you have any questions about your coverage, contact your insurance agent or company.
Why Should You Talk To Our Florida Insurance Dispute Attorneys?
If you have hurricane insurance and have suffered flood damage as a result of a hurricane, you may be entitled to compensation. The insurance claim process can be complex and time-consuming, but our team of experienced insurance dispute attorneys can help. We offer free claim reviews and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation with Herman & Wells today.