Short answer: Florida homeowners insurance is usually an HO-3 policy that covers your house against all risks not excluded, your belongings against named perils, plus liability and loss of use. In Florida the key differences are a separate percentage hurricane deductible, roof-age and 4-point underwriting, and flood that must be bought separately. Nymble Insurance, a licensed Florida independent agency, compares multiple carriers for you at (813) 291-3484.
What a Florida HO-3 policy covers
- Coverage A, Dwelling: the house and attached structures, usually on an open-perils basis.
- Coverage B, Other structures: detached garages, fences and sheds.
- Coverage C, Personal property: your belongings, typically named perils.
- Coverage D, Loss of use: extra living costs if a covered loss makes the home unlivable.
- Coverage E and F: personal liability and guest medical payments.
Flood is excluded on standard policies. You buy it through the NFIP or a private flood carrier.
Florida hurricane deductibles
Florida lets insurers apply a separate hurricane deductible, and the statute lists the options insurers must offer: $500, 2%, 5% and 10% of the dwelling limit, with some limits on availability by home value (§627.701). The hurricane deductible applies once per hurricane season, not per storm. See our hurricane deductible guide.
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Get Your Free Review →Coverages Florida law requires insurers to offer
- Law and ordinance: insurers must offer 25% and 50% of the dwelling limit for code-upgrade costs (§627.7011). Read more.
- Catastrophic ground cover collapse: included on every homeowners policy; full sinkhole coverage is optional (§627.706).
- Nonrenewal notice: insurers generally must give at least 120 days' written notice before nonrenewing a homeowners policy (§627.4133).
What drives Florida home insurance pricing
Roof age and material, wind mitigation features (roof shape, roof-to-wall attachment, opening protection), distance to the coast, construction type, prior claims and the age of plumbing and electrical. A wind mitigation inspection documents the features that earn credits, and the state's My Safe Florida Home program has offered free inspections when funded.
If you are on Citizens or were non-renewed
Citizens Property Insurance is Florida's insurer of last resort (§627.351). An independent agency can check private carriers for you, and Citizens eligibility rules consider private offers. Start with our non-renewal guide.
Homeowners Insurance FAQ
Is flood covered by Florida homeowners insurance?
How does a Florida hurricane deductible work?
How much notice must a Florida insurer give before nonrenewal?
Who can help me compare Florida homeowners insurance?
Sources
- Fla. Stat. §627.701 (hurricane deductibles)
- Fla. Stat. §627.7011 (law and ordinance coverage)
- Fla. Stat. §627.706 (sinkhole and catastrophic ground cover collapse)
- Fla. Stat. §627.4133 (notice of cancellation and nonrenewal)
- Fla. Stat. §627.351 (Citizens Property Insurance Corporation)
- My Safe Florida Home
- FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
Educational information only, not legal advice or a coverage guarantee. Coverage depends on the policy issued. Nymble Insurance, licensed Florida independent agency, license L131669, (813) 291-3484.