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.
· 5 min read
Hurricanes & FloodFlood Insurance in Lakeland and Polk County: Zones, Lookups and Waiting Periods
Polk County flood insurance explained: how to look up your FEMA flood zone, why homeowners policies exclude flood, the NFIP 30-day wait 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 of PIP and $10,000 of property damage liability. What PIP pays, when bodily injury coverage is mandatory, and where the minimum falls short.
· 7 min read
Home InsuranceFlorida Roof Age Insurance Rules: The 15-Year Law and What It Means
How section 627.7011 protects Florida homeowners with roofs under 15 years old, the inspection right for older roofs, roof deductibles and the 25% repair 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, what underwriters check (roof, 4-point, wind mitigation, claims), Citizens and what to have ready.
· 7 min read
Home InsuranceWind Mitigation Inspections in Florida: The OIR-B1-1802 Form Explained
What Florida's wind mitigation form (OIR-B1-1802, revised April 2026) checks, who can sign it, how long it's valid and how it can lower your homeowners premium.
· 6 min read
Boats, Golf Carts & UmbrellaBoat Insurance in Florida: What's Required and What a Good Policy Covers
Florida boat insurance explained: when it's required, the boater education card rule, agreed value vs. actual cash value, liability, hurricane haul-out and towing.
· 6 min read
Business InsuranceCommercial Auto Insurance in Florida: Requirements and When You Need It
When a Florida business needs commercial auto, the state's weight-based liability minimums, hired and non-owned auto, fleets and driver records.
· 6 min read
Business InsuranceContractor Insurance in Florida: Licensing Requirements, COIs and Coverage
What Florida contractors need: DBPR's liability and property damage minimums, workers' comp and exemptions, certificates of insurance, tools and work trucks.
· 7 min read
Condos & RentalsFlorida Condo Insurance (HO-6): Master Policy, Walls-In and Assessments
What a Florida HO-6 condo policy covers vs. the association's master policy, the $2,000 loss assessment rule, and how milestone inspections and SIRS affect owners.
· 6 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.
· 7 min read
Hurricanes & FloodFlorida Hurricane Season Insurance Checklist: Before and After the Storm
A Florida hurricane season insurance checklist: review deductibles and flood coverage before a storm, document your home, and file claims within the legal deadlines.
· 6 min read
Business InsuranceFlorida Workers' Compensation Requirements: Who Has to Carry It?
Florida workers' comp rules under Chapter 440: the 1, 4 and 6 employee thresholds, corporate officer exemptions, stop-work orders and independent contractors.
· 8 min read
Boats, Golf Carts & UmbrellaGolf Cart and Low-Speed Vehicle Insurance in Florida: Rules, Roads and Coverage
Florida treats golf carts and low-speed vehicles differently. Where each can drive, who can drive them, 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
Practical ways to lower a Florida homeowners premium: wind mitigation credits, deductible choices, roof updates, claims history, My Safe Florida Home and shopping.
· 5 min read
Insurance BasicsIndependent Insurance Agent vs. Captive vs. Direct in Florida: How to Choose
How independent, captive and direct insurance differ in Florida, how an independent agent shops several carriers, and how to check an agent's license with the state.
· 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 dwelling policies compared, liability and loss of rents, tenant renters insurance and vacancy limits.
· 5 min read
Insurance BasicsMoving to Florida? Your Insurance Checklist and Deadlines for New Residents
New Florida residents have 10 days to insure and register a car and 30 days to get a Florida license. The full checklist for auto, home, flood and umbrella coverage.
· 5 min read
Hurricanes & FloodNFIP vs. Private Flood Insurance in Florida: How to Compare Them
Compare NFIP and private flood insurance in Florida: coverage limits, living expenses, waiting periods, Risk Rating 2.0 pricing and whether your lender accepts it.
· 6 min read
Business InsuranceSmall Business Insurance in Lakeland: How a Businessowners Policy (BOP) Works
What a businessowners policy covers for Lakeland and Polk County businesses, who qualifies, what it leaves out, and how windstorm and flood fit for Florida property.
· 6 min read
Auto InsuranceTeen Driver Insurance in Florida: Licensing Rules, Adding Your Teen, and Discounts
Florida's graduated license rules for teens, when to add your teen to your auto policy, discounts many carriers offer, and why the parent who signs is liable.
· 6 min read
Boats, Golf Carts & UmbrellaUmbrella Insurance in Florida: How It Works and Who Should Consider It
How a personal umbrella policy sits over your Florida auto and home liability, why Florida's low auto requirements matter, what it covers and what it leaves out.
· 5 min read
Auto InsuranceUninsured Motorist Coverage in Florida: How UM Works, Stacking, and Limits
Florida doesn't require uninsured motorist coverage, but insurers must offer it. How UM and underinsured coverage work, stacked vs. non-stacked, and setting limits.
· 6 min read
Condos & RentalsVacation Rental Insurance in Davenport and Kissimmee: What STR Owners Need
Insuring a short-term rental near Disney in Davenport, ChampionsGate, Four Corners or Kissimmee: coverage to get, 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