Florida home insurance policies are only required to cover damage caused by storms if the National Weather Service classifies the storm as a hurricane. This means that any damage caused to your property or possessions by a tropical storm will not be covered by a homeowner's or renters insurance policy. A standard Florida home insurance policy generally includes hurricane coverage. In some states, damage caused by windstorms is excluded.
But Florida law requires policies to cover wind damage if the National Hurricane Center declares the storm to be a hurricane. There is no such thing as “hurricane insurance” or “hurricane coverage,” but there is insurance that covers damage associated with hurricanes. Insurers also often stop issuing or updating policies when the National Weather Service names a tropical system or when a hurricane alert or warning is issued in Florida. The cost of flood insurance depends on the limits of your policy and the degree of financial protection you require, as well as whether you buy it from a government flood insurance provider or a private company.
However, the National Hurricane Center must issue a hurricane alert or warning before your policy goes into effect. If you live in a high-risk coastal area, you may be wondering what Florida hurricane insurance Public Adjuster covers, if there are limits on the policy, and how much the deductible could cost. By law, FEMA assistance cannot double the assistance you receive from your insurance company, but you can receive assistance for items not covered by insurance. Renters insurance isn't required, but it can protect your personal property from damage if a hurricane strikes.
Protecting your property from hurricane damage is possible with a Florida home insurance policy. While there may be some help available if you don't have insurance or if your insurance doesn't cover everything, relying on it to completely rebuild your home and life is probably not a good choice. Homeowners insurance helps pay for additional living expenses if you move temporarily after a covered loss, such as a hurricane. However, you must have a separate policy to cover damage caused by the hurricane to your interior walls, floors, ceilings and personal items.
Debris removal after a hurricane can easily exceed that limit, so it's a good idea to check if your insurer offers a coverage endorsement to increase reimbursement for debris removal. Many private companies also offer flood insurance now, and waiting periods may differ from policies backed by the NFIP. Factors such as global warming may be causing hurricanes to increase in intensity and frequency, meaning homeowners along the coast must understand how their homeowners insurance coverage reacts to these storms. According to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), many insurers offer personal property coverage of 50 to 70% of the insured value of your home.
