Living in Florida comes with a certain amount of risk, and one of the biggest dangers is the threat of hurricanes. Every year, hurricane season brings the potential for devastating storms that can damage homes and businesses. It really doesn’t make sense for a Florida homeowner to not have hurricane insurance for their property. But what are the hurricane insurance requirements in the Sunshine State?

Even though the risk posed by these massive storms is high, Florida doesn’t have a mandatory hurricane insurance requirement. That is because hurricane insurance isn’t sold as a separate policy in Florida. This form of coverage is included as a part of a standard insurance policy.

Homeowner learns about hurricane insurance requirements in Florida.

The Cliff Notes: Key Takeaways From This Post

  • 1
    Hurricane insurance typically covers wind damage, storm surge and damage from named storms.
  • 2
    Hurricane insurance isn’t mandatory in Florida, it’s included in standard home insurance policies.
  • 3
    Exclusions for standard policies include sewer/drain backup, flooding, wind damage, mold growth and personal belongings.
  • 4
    Florida homeowners pay higher premiums compared to the national average ($2,084 vs $1,192 per year), but still reasonable compared to other hurricane-prone states.
  • 5
    Discounts are available to help offset the cost of hurricane insurance such as installing wind-resistant features or enrolling in the Florida Property and Casualty Association discount program.
  • 6
    Deductibles must be met before benefits are paid out – usually based on percentage of home’s insured value (e.g., 2% of $200,000 = $4,000 deductible).
  • 7
    If dispute arises between homeowner and insurer over requirements for coverage or denied claims, contact an experienced hurricane attorney.

Hurricane Insurance Coverage Under Different Types Of Policies

Under a standard homeowner’s insurance policy in Florida, hurricane damage is typically covered under the windstorm or named storm deductible. This means that if your home sustains damage from a hurricane, you would be responsible for paying the deductible amount before your insurance coverage would kick in.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however. For example, if your home is completely destroyed by a hurricane, your insurance company may waive the deductible. Additionally, if you have a separate hurricane insurance policy, the deductible on that policy would apply instead of the windstorm or named storm deductible on your homeowner’s insurance policy.

If you have any questions about what is and isn’t covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy in the event of a hurricane, you should contact your insurance agent or company for more information.

What Does Hurricane Insurance Cover?

Hurricane insurance covers damage caused by hurricanes, tropical storms, and other named storms. It typically covers wind damage and storm surge. Hurricane insurance is separate from your regular homeowner’s insurance policy – it’s a rider that you must purchase separately.

Florida requires all homeowners to carry hurricane insurance if they live in a hurricane-prone area. This is because hurricane damage is not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies. If you live in Florida and don’t have hurricane insurance, you’re taking a big risk.

Client review from past insurance dispute case in Florida.

What Hurricane Insurance Doesn’t Typically Cover In Florida

While most people think that their hurricane insurance policy will cover any and all damage that a hurricane may cause to their home, this unfortunately is not always the case. In fact, there are several key things that your standard hurricane insurance policy is likely to exclude coverage for. It’s important to be aware of these exclusions so that you can plan and prepare accordingly. Some of the key things that hurricane insurance typically does not cover in Florida include:

  • Sewer or drain backup: If your sewer or drains back up due to heavy rains, your hurricane insurance policy will likely not cover the damages. You may, however, be able to purchase additional coverage for this type of event.
  • Flooding: Standard hurricane insurance policies also exclude coverage for flooding. This is one of the most common exclusions, so it’s important to be aware of it. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, you may want to purchase additional flood insurance to protect your home.
  • Wind damage: surprisingly, wind damage is also typically excluded from standard hurricane insurance policies. This means that if your home sustains damage from high winds, your policy may not cover the repairs.
  • Mold: Mold growth is often a result of water damage, which is often excluded from hurricane insurance policies. As such, mold damage is also typically not covered by these policies.
  • Personal belongings: Your hurricane insurance policy will likely only cover damage to the structure of your home, and not to your personal belongings. This means that if your furniture, electronics, or other personal belongings are damaged by a hurricane, you will likely have to pay to replace them yourself.

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