It's not a legal requirement for homeowners to have windstorm insurance in Florida, since homeowners insurance generally covers damage caused by strong winds. We'll represent you during each phase of your complaint, speak on your behalf with all parties involved, protect your rights, and keep you informed every step of the way. We understand that hurricane insurance is not the same as flood insurance in Florida and we can help with your initial claim to your insurance company or with your appeal. Let us help you get back on the road to recovery.
There is no type of insurance that is specifically called “hurricane insurance.” Yes, in Florida and states affected by hurricanes, auto insurance covers damage caused by hurricanes, as long as your policy includes comprehensive coverage. If you want to get windstorm insurance from a private insurer, the Florida Market Assistance Plan can probably help you or the CHOICES Program of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. If you're having trouble buying windstorm insurance through any of these companies, you can try buying it through an insurance association, such as Citizens Property Insurance Corp. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (FLOIR) describes several types of home insurance coverage.
If excluded, you may want to look for a separate wind insurance policy, which is usually a state insurance program. Insurers must include this coverage in their policies, although policyholders can sign an exemption to remove it from their insurance plan. The only thing you need to worry about as a policyholder is how much your hurricane deductible will be if you need to file a claim for damage caused by a hurricane. If you've suffered property damage due to a flood caused by a hurricane or other weather event, your homeowner's insurance policy usually doesn't cover the damage unless you have independent flood insurance.
Review your policies with your insurance agent to really understand what you're looking for when it comes to deductibles and then make a budget to cover them. For the hurricane deductible to take effect, your area must experience a “triggering event,” such as a hurricane warning. Under Florida law, you can only get an insurance policy from Citizens if you can't get it from a Florida-authorized insurance company, or if your premiums are more than 15% higher than the premiums for comparable coverage from Citizens. Make sure you understand how a hurricane can affect your home insurance and that you are properly protected with flood and windstorm insurance if your property is at risk.
Hurricane insurance in Florida covers your home, your belongings and the additional living expenses associated with any wind-related claim up to the maximum limits of your policy. The vast majority of homeowners interested in hurricane insurance live along the East Coast or the Gulf Coast, and in those 19 coastal states and the District of Columbia, you'll also find hurricane deductibles. Making sure your community has the right insurance coverage can seem like a daunting task, especially for board members who aren't well-versed in insurance.
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