Freedom on the Water is Worth Protecting

Florida requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PD) coverage. Bodily Injury Liability is not required but is recommended. At minimum, at least $10,000 of Property Damage Liability and $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection is required to register and drive a vehicle in Florida. If the vehicle is financed (or you would like to cover it voluntarily), you'll need to carry Comprehensive and Collision. This protects your vehicle from repair bills. Deductibles are usually $500 or $1,000 while other options are available. Bodily Injury Liability is not needed to qualify for minimum requirements, but we strongly encourage everyone to include it. If you choose to carry it, $10,000 per person / $20,000 per accident is the minimum limit. With Bodily Injury Liability included, you can select Uninsured Motorist coverage in an amount up to the same Bodily Injury Liability limit. This coverage can be limited to its selected limit or you may be eligible for a multiplier based on the number of vehicles you own.

Bodily Injury Liability is required by the State of Florida for drivers in specific situations. This typically occurs when ordered by a court or other administrative body. Unless otherwise required, Florida drivers can reject Bodily Injury Liability. Should an accident occur without this coverage, however, you may be subject to fines, penalties, and court orders to carry that coverage for a period of time. We like to say "It's not required.... until it is."

Personal Injury Protection provides coverage for the driver and passengers in the event they are injured due to a motor vehicle accident. PIP provides up to $10,000 in first party medical and loss wages benefits per person. At today's medical costs, this limit can be used up within a single visit.

Replacement cost is the amount it would take to replace an item or structure at today's market prices. Actual cash value starts with the cost of the item or structure when it was created and depreciates it over its lifetime. Replacement cost provides broader coverage and usually comes with a higher premium. Replacement cost is normally applied to the Dwelling and Other Structures by default. Replacement cost for Personal Property is normally an optional feature.

The answer will depend on each home. The important thing is to ensure your insurance agent uses an accurate Replacement Cost Estimate for your home. Most carriers will require an agent to complete an estimate of the home's replacement cost to determine the appropriate level of coverage. This is different from the market value and the taxable value. The estimate will take several factors into account, including: Square Footage Building Material (wood, masonry, etc.) Interior Upgrades Attached Structures (pool, screen enclosure, etc.)

In almost all situations, no. Flood damage is excluded from most homeowner's insurance policies. It is sometimes offered as an endorsement, but this is uncommon. If you wish to protect your home and belongings from a flood loss, you need a standalone flood insurance policy. You can see our flood insurance page for additional details.

Most standard homeowner's insurance policies include coverage for hurricane damage in Florida, however it is critical to identify that on the declarations page. It is most often noted by having a deductible. If a deductible is listed, the coverage is included. The most common deductible for hurricane damage in Florida is 2% of the Dwelling limit.

Yes, most carriers offer discounts for a monitored security system, upgraded roof, and more! Monitored security systems are normally split into Burglar and Fire with each having their own discount. Upgraded roofs with a completed Wind Mitigation report can be eligible for significant discounts.

Your hurricane deductible will be listed on the policy's declarations page. Most Florida homeowners have a 2% Hurricane Deductible. The 2% is based on the Coverage A - Dwelling amount. Some carriers offer a flat-rate deductible such as $1,000 or $2,500. In the event of hurricane damage, we recommend working with a building contractor to estimate the damage. If that amount exceeds your deductible, it may make sense to file an insurance claim for reimbursement. If the amount is below the deductible threshold, you will not receive reimbursement and a claim will now appear on your policy. If you experience damage from multiple hurricanes in a single calendar year, you may be able to avoid paying multiple deductibles. Contact your agent (or one of ours) with specific questions.

We recommend contacting your insurance agent any time you experience a major life event. These include, but aren't limited to: Purchasing large assets (home, car, boat, etc.) Significant upgrades to those assets Moving or changing residency status in the state Change in household size (including the furry ones!)