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Wind and flood are two different things

Your homeowners policy usually covers wind damage from a hurricane, but it usually doesn’t cover flood, meaning rising water from storm surge, heavy rain or overflowing bays and rivers.

Flood coverage is a separate policy, through the NFIP or a private flood carrier.

Hurricane deductibles

Most Florida homeowners policies have a separate hurricane deductible, usually a percentage of your home’s insured value instead of a flat dollar amount.

• Common options are 2%, 5% or 10%.
• On a $400,000 home, a 2% deductible is $8,000.
• A higher deductible lowers your premium, but means more out of pocket after a storm.

Know your flood zone

FEMA flood maps rate every property. Zones beginning with A or V are high risk, and V zones face waves and storm surge. Much of Cape San Blas, Indian Pass and St. George Island sits in high-risk zones.

If you have a federally backed mortgage in a high-risk zone, your lender will require flood insurance.

The wind-mitigation inspection

Florida insurers must offer discounts for storm-resistant features. A licensed inspector documents them on a wind-mitigation form, and the savings can be significant.

• Roof shape and roof covering
• How the roof is attached to the walls
• Hurricane shutters or impact windows and doors

Roof age and older homes

Many carriers look closely at roof age, and older homes may need a 4-point inspection covering the roof, electrical, plumbing and heating and air before a policy can be written.

A newer roof can open up more carriers and better rates.

Citizens vs. private carriers

Citizens Property Insurance is Florida’s state-created insurer for homeowners who can’t find coverage in the private market. Many coastal homes are written by Citizens, others by private carriers.

Because Daffin is an independent agency, Shannon can compare options side by side and explain the differences in coverage, not just price.

Vacation homes and rentals

A beach house you visit on weekends, or rent to visitors, may need a different policy than the home you live in. Homes rented to guests often need a dwelling or landlord policy with liability for short-term renters.

Homes that sit empty for long stretches can also have special coverage rules. See vacation and rental home coverage

Golf carts, side-by-sides and boats

Your homeowners policy offers little or no coverage for golf carts and off-road vehicles once they leave your property. A separate policy covers damage, theft and liability.

• Street-legal golf carts (LSVs) are registered and insured like cars in Florida.
• Boats, from bay boats to river boats and yachts, need their own policy, and many marinas and lenders require it.
• Ask about hurricane haul-out coverage for your boat.