Does Your Florida Home Insurance Cover Hurricanes? What You Need to Know

Hurricanes are a serious threat to homeowners throughout the Sunshine State, especially from June through November. During this period, known as the Atlantic Hurricane Season, homeowners, families and communities need to be mindful of the potentially devastating effects of these severe tropical storms and secure suitable insurance. But are hurricanes covered by standard home insurance? At Bruening Insurance Agency, Inc, we can help you understand this subject.

What Is Hurricane Insurance?

Although a common term, hurricane insurance does not typically refer to a specific type of policy. Rather, homeowners may need to retain multiple forms of coverage to address hurricane-related losses. Standard home insurance policies in Florida often include coverage for windstorm damage, as carriers are required to offer it, but other losses arising from hurricanes, including those caused by flooding, are typically exempt.

How Can I Get Coverage for Floods?

When hurricanes bring torrential precipitation, break levees or otherwise cause rising water levels, your home and belongings may be severely damaged. Such losses are typically excluded from standard home insurance policies, meaning you’ll need to explore endorsements or separate policies. Flood insurance is often available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program. Additionally, many private insurers may offer coverage options. Without addressing these coverage needs, you’d potentially have to pay to repair and rebuild your home or replace damaged belongings out of pocket.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Even once you’ve acquired appropriate wind- and flood-related coverage for your home, you may need to navigate an additional complication: a named storm deductible. This clause in many home insurance policies establishes a separate deductible for hurricanes and other named storms and is typically based on a percentage of your home’s estimated value rather than a flat amount. For example, if your home is valued at $300,000 and you have a 5% named storm deductible, you’d have to pay $15,000 out of pocket following a hurricane, after which your policy could cover remaining losses.

We’re Here to Help

Contact Bruening Insurance Agency, Inc in Weston, FL and Jupiter, FL today to discuss coverage options and secure appropriate policies for your home before a hurricane strikes.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.