There must be a named hurricane at the time the first alert or warning is issued; otherwise, the hurricane deductible begins as soon as the storm becomes a named hurricane. The hurricane deductible only applies to a hurricane as defined in the statutes. According to Florida Statute 627.4025, a hurricane means a storm system that has been declared a “hurricane” by the National Weather Service's National Hurricane Center. Keep in mind that a named tropical storm doesn't activate the hurricane deductible.
Learn how Florida's single-season hurricane deductible applies during a multi-storm hurricane season. The provision states that, once the first hurricane deductible has been applied, the deductible for the second hurricane (during the same year) will be the largest remaining amount of the first deductible per hurricane, if the deductible or the “all risk” deductible has not been met. If the hurricane deductible were fully covered by the first covered windstorm claim, the “all-risk” deductible or standard deductible would apply to other windstorm claims that result from a hurricane that occurred in the same year. If there is a second storm, the insurer may apply only the rest of the remaining hurricane deductible from the first storm or the “all risk” deductible from the policy.
The hurricane deductible applies per calendar year, as long as it is insured by the same insurance company or an insurance company in the same group for all subsequent hurricanes. From the moment the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane alert or warning for any part of Florida. At the same time that the National Hurricane Center named Karen a tropical storm, they issued a hurricane warning and a warning for parts of Florida, anticipating that Karen would likely become a hurricane. Commercial residential policies, such as condominium association policies, must provide a hurricane deductible, as described above, or one with a separate hurricane deductible for each hurricane.
Keep in mind that if your policy has a separate ceiling deductible, the ceiling deductible will not apply when the hurricane deductible applies. This brochure offers tips on how to deal with damage caused by hurricanes and other natural disasters, including numbers to call for help with insurance issues. If the hurricane deductible were fully covered by the first hurricane claim, the “all-risk” deductible would apply to other hurricane claims filed in the same year. It ends 72 hours after the end of the last hurricane alert or warning issued for any part of Florida by the National Hurricane Center.
As another hurricane season approaches in Florida, it's a good idea for all homeowners to review their insurance coverage and understand what damage a storm may or may not cover.
