Florida insurance, explained by a local agency
Straight answers on the questions Florida homeowners, drivers and business owners ask us every week, from roof age rules and wind mitigation to flood zones in Polk County. Each guide cites the statute or agency behind the rule.
Home InsuranceCitizens Property Insurance in Florida: Eligibility, the 20% Rule and Leaving
How Citizens Property Insurance works in 2026: who's eligible, the 20% rule, the $700,000 limit, takeout offers and how to move to a private insurer.
· 7 min read
Hurricanes & FloodFlood Insurance in Lakeland and Polk County: Zones, Lookups and Waiting Periods
Lakeland and Polk County flood insurance: find your FEMA flood zone, the NFIP 30-day wait, Citizens flood rules and local CRS discounts.
· 6 min read
Auto InsuranceFlorida Car Insurance Requirements in 2026: What the Law Requires and What It Leaves Out
Florida requires $10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage liability. What PIP pays, when bodily injury is required and where the minimum falls short.
· 7 min read
Home InsuranceFlorida Roof Age Insurance Rules: The 15-Year Law and What It Means
How Florida's roof age law (s. 627.7011) protects roofs under 15 years old, the inspection right for older roofs, roof deductibles and the 25% rule.
· 6 min read
Home InsuranceHow to Get Homeowners Insurance in Florida: A 2026 Guide
How Florida homeowners insurance works in 2026: HO-3 vs HO-8, roof and 4-point rules, wind mitigation, Citizens and what Lakeland owners need for a quote.
· 7 min read
Home InsuranceWind Mitigation Inspections in Florida: The OIR-B1-1802 Form Explained
Florida's wind mitigation form (OIR-B1-1802, revised April 2026): what it checks, who can sign it, how long it's valid and how it can lower your premium.
· 6 min read
Boats, Golf Carts & UmbrellaBoat Insurance in Florida: What's Required and What a Good Policy Covers
Florida boat insurance: no state mandate, but lenders and marinas often require it. Boater ID card rules, agreed value vs. ACV, hurricane haul-out.
· 6 min read
Business InsuranceCommercial Auto Insurance in Florida: Requirements and When You Need It
Florida commercial auto rules as of October 2026: PIP and PDL, weight-based liability minimums, hired and non-owned auto, and driver records.
· 6 min read
Business InsuranceContractor Insurance in Florida: Licensing Requirements, COIs and Coverage
Florida contractor license insurance minimums, workers' comp and exemptions, COIs vs. additional insured, and coverage for tools and work trucks.
· 7 min read
Condos & RentalsFlorida Condo Insurance (HO-6): Master Policy, Walls-In and Assessments
Florida HO-6 condo insurance: what it covers vs. the master policy, the $2,000 loss assessment rule, and milestone inspection and SIRS deadlines.
· 7 min read
Hurricanes & FloodFlorida Hurricane Deductibles Explained, With the Dollar Math
How Florida's hurricane deductible works under s. 627.701: the $500, 2%, 5% and 10% options, when a hurricane starts and ends, and what you'd pay.
· 8 min read
Hurricanes & FloodFlorida Hurricane Season Insurance Checklist: Before and After the Storm
Florida hurricane insurance checklist: check your deductible and flood coverage early, document your home, and meet the 1-year claim notice deadline.
· 6 min read
Business InsuranceFlorida Workers' Compensation Requirements: Who Has to Carry It?
Florida workers' comp rules under Chapter 440: who must carry it at 1, 4 or 6 employees, officer exemptions, stop-work penalties and contractors.
· 8 min read
Boats, Golf Carts & UmbrellaGolf Cart and Low-Speed Vehicle Insurance in Florida: Rules, Roads and Coverage
Florida golf cart vs. LSV rules: where each can drive, who can drive, which need PIP and PDL, and what golf cart insurance covers.
· 6 min read
Home InsuranceHow to Lower Your Home Insurance Premium in Florida: 9 Practical Steps
Ways to lower a Florida homeowners premium in 2026: wind mitigation credits, hurricane deductibles, roof updates, claims history and My Safe Florida Home.
· 6 min read
Insurance BasicsIndependent Insurance Agent vs. Captive vs. Direct in Florida: How to Choose
Independent vs. captive vs. direct insurance in Florida: how each works, how an agent shops carriers, and how to check a license on DFS Licensee Search.
· 6 min read
Condos & RentalsLandlord Insurance in Florida: DP-1 vs. DP-2 vs. DP-3 Explained
How Florida landlord insurance works: DP-1, DP-2 and DP-3 compared, plus liability, loss of rents, vacancy limits and renters insurance for tenants.
· 6 min read
Insurance BasicsMoving to Florida? Your Insurance Checklist and Deadlines for New Residents
New Florida residents: 10 days to insure and register a car, 30 days for a license, March 1 for homestead. Auto, home and flood checklist.
· 6 min read
Hurricanes & FloodNFIP vs. Private Flood Insurance in Florida: How to Compare Them
Compare NFIP and private flood insurance in Florida: limits, living expenses, waiting periods, Risk Rating 2.0 and lender acceptance.
· 7 min read
Business InsuranceSmall Business Insurance in Lakeland: How a Businessowners Policy (BOP) Works
What a businessowners policy (BOP) covers for Lakeland and Polk County businesses, who qualifies, what it excludes, and how Florida wind and flood fit.
· 6 min read
Auto InsuranceTeen Driver Insurance in Florida: Licensing Rules, Adding Your Teen, and Discounts
Florida teen driver rules as of 2026: DETS course, learner's license at 15, curfews, adding your teen to your policy, discounts and parent liability.
· 6 min read
Boats, Golf Carts & UmbrellaUmbrella Insurance in Florida: How It Works and Who Should Consider It
How a Florida umbrella policy sits over auto and home liability, what insurers typically require underneath, and why Florida's low auto minimums matter.
· 5 min read
Auto InsuranceUninsured Motorist Coverage in Florida: How UM Works, Stacking, and Limits
Florida UM is included with bodily injury liability unless you reject it in writing. How UM, underinsured, stacked and non-stacked coverage work.
· 7 min read
Condos & RentalsVacation Rental Insurance in Davenport and Kissimmee: What STR Owners Need
Vacation rental insurance for Davenport, ChampionsGate, Four Corners and Kissimmee STRs: coverage, DBPR licensing and Polk and Osceola tourist taxes.
· 6 min read
Home InsuranceWhat Is a 4-Point Inspection in Florida, and How Do You Pass One?
Florida insurers ask for a 4-point inspection on older homes. What inspectors check on the roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC, and what causes trouble.
· 6 min read