For Florida residents, homeowners’ insurance isn’t just a smart investment—it’s essential. From hurricanes and flooding to fire and theft, Florida homes face a variety of risks. Yet many homeowners are unclear on exactly what their policy covers—and what it doesn’t. Understanding the basics of homeowners’ insurance in Florida can help you make smarter decisions, avoid costly surprises, and ensure your home and belongings are fully protected. Here’s a breakdown of what’s typically covered under a standard Florida homeowners insurance policy, along with areas where you may need additional protection. Consider it a course in Insurance 101!
Insurance 101: The Core Coverages
A standard Florida homeowners insurance policy (also known as an HO-3 policy) includes several key areas of protection:
- Dwelling Coverage: This covers the structure of your home—walls, roof, floors, windows, etc.—if it’s damaged by a covered peril such as fire, wind, lightning, or vandalism. In Florida, windstorm damage from hurricanes and tropical storms is usually included but may come with a separate deductible. Be sure to check how much your hurricane deductible is—it’s often a percentage of your home’s insured value, not a flat amount.
Covered: Hurricane wind damage, fire, lightning, hail, vandalism
Not Covered: Flooding (requires separate flood insurance), wear and tear, sinkholes (unless you have optional coverage) - Other Structures: This protects detached structures like garages, fences, sheds, and guest houses. Typically, coverage is 10% of your dwelling limit, but this can be adjusted based on your property’s needs.
- Personal Property: Your belongings—furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances—are covered if they’re damaged or stolen, even if the event happens away from home (like a laptop stolen from your car). However, high-value items like jewelry, art, or collectibles may require scheduled personal property coverage if their value exceeds standard limits.
Covered: Theft, fire, hurricane damage to personal belongings
Not Covered: Items lost or broken accidentally, damage due to flooding - Loss of Use (Additional Living Expenses): If your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss, this part of your policy helps pay for temporary housing, food, and other extra expenses while repairs are made.
- Personal Liability: This protects you financially if someone is injured on your property and you’re found liable. It also covers accidental damage you or your family members cause to others’ property.
- Medical Payments to Others: This provides limited coverage (usually $1,000 to $5,000) for minor injuries sustained by guests on your property—regardless of fault.
What About Flood Insurance?
Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners’ insurance. This is especially important in Florida, where heavy rains and storm surge can pose serious threats. To be fully protected, you’ll need a separate flood insurance policy, either through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. Even if you’re not in a designated flood zone, flooding can happen anywhere—it’s one of the most common causes of home damage in Florida.
What About Sinkholes?
Florida is one of the few states where sinkhole activity is common, especially in central regions. Most homeowners’ policies include catastrophic ground collapse coverage, but that only kicks in under specific, extreme conditions (e.g., your home is condemned). If you want broader protection, ask about optional sinkhole coverage to protect against less severe but still costly ground movement.
Florida Homeowners Insurance 101: Tips
- Review your hurricane deductible and ensure its affordable in the event of a storm.
- Update your personal property inventory and take photos of valuables for claims purposes.
- Bundle your policies (e.g., home and auto) to save money with multi-policy discounts.
- Ask about wind mitigation credits—if your home has storm shutters, a reinforced roof, or other safety upgrades, you could save significantly on premiums.
Finally, it is recommended that you work with a professional, local insurance broker who understands the nuances of Florida insurance.
Homeowners insurance in Florida isn’t one-size-fits-all. While a standard policy offers broad protection, it’s important to understand what’s covered—and where you might need to fill in the gaps. From hurricane deductibles to flood exclusions, having the right coverage can mean the difference between peace of mind and a financial nightmare.
If you need help reviewing your current policy or shopping for better coverage, Anderson Insurance Group is here to guide you. Contact us today to ensure your Florida home is properly protected, no matter what takes place.
