Understanding wind & Property insurance
FIRM advocates for Monroe County residents, businesses and homeowners. We have fought successfully since 2006 against excessive, discriminatory and unaffordable property insurance rates.
Understanding wind & property insurance
Florida wind insurance is required unless your home is mortgage-free. Understand the basics now
What Property Insurance do I need in Florida?
Homeowners The policy known as HO3 insures the described owner-occupied dwelling, private structures in connection with the dwelling, personal property on and away from the premises, and loss of use. Personal liability coverage and medical payments coverage are also provided by this policy. Losses to the dwelling and other structures are paid on a replacement cost basis, with no deduction for depreciation if certain conditions apply. Losses to personal property are paid on an actual cash value basis, unless amended by endorsement. Flood insurance is not included in an HO3 policy, and...
Make at least a $100 donation to FIRM KEYS and receive a discount on your residential flood elevation certificate survey. Make at least a $500 donation to FIRM KEYS and receive a discount on your commercial elevation certificate survey.
Want Our property insurance guide?
What is the My Safe Florida Home Program?
Wind Mitigation Home Inspections All owners of site-built, single-family, residential homes or townhouses are eligible to make application for a wind mitigation home inspection. This inspection will identify those elements of your home’s construction which could be improved to mitigate your home against future wind damages. All inspections will be provided to eligible homeowners free of charge by the State. Applications will be reviewed and approved in the order in which they are received until current funding is exhausted.
Wind Mitigation Grant awards for home construction (DFS anticipates awarding between 11,000 and 12,000 grants based on current funding.)
What is the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program?
Wind Mitigation Home Inspections Eligible condominium associations will receive a complimentary inspection to identify existing hurricane-resistant features of their buildings. The inspection will also highlight necessary recommendations for improvements to protect against hurricane winds in order to receive reductions in insurance premiums.Applications will be reviewed and approved in the order in which they are received until current funding is exhausted.
Wind Mitigation Grant awards In addition to the free inspection, eligible associations can apply for grants to implement specific wind mitigation improvements identified in the free inspection report.
COMMISSIONER YAWORSKY HIGHLIGHTS NEW WIND MITIGATION RESOURCE FOR CONSUMERS
Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky is highlighting a new wind mitigation resource for consumers ahead of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Hurricane Season starts June 1st and the Office of Insurance Regulation is providing a new resource on FLOIR.com to encourage...
Frequently asked questions about wind & property insurance
WHAT IS THE “MY SAFE FLORIDA CONDOMINIUM” PILOT PROGRAM
What is the My Safe Florida Condominium program? The My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program was enacted during the 2024 Legislative Session and provided $30 million in funding statewide. This initiative aims to support eligible condominium associations by providing...
How does the Claims Process Work?
The first step in the claims process is to contact your insurance agent. If that is not feasible then you should contact your carrier directly. It is important to have these phone numbers in your important papers as more than likely there will be a loss of power, and...
What is the “My Safe Florida Home” Program
The My Safe Florida Home Program was re-enacted in 2022. The program was created to strengthen Florida homes against hurricanes and save homeowners money. The program consists of two primary components: Wind mitigation home inspections to identify those elements of...
How are rates determined for wind Insurance?
Your home’s replacement cost is one of the driving forces behind your home insurance premium and the amount of coverage you receive. But the value of your home and its contents aren’t the only – or the most significant – factors that dictate how much you’ll pay every...
Where do i purchase wind or flood insurance?
Windstorm insurance can be purchased through your local insurance agent who represents multiple companies or through a captive insurance agent who is affiliated with one company such as State Farm Insurance. Either type of insurance agent will be able to inform you of...
What is force-placed insurance?
Lender-placed (or force-placed) insurance is coverage that a mortgage lender or bank purchases for property to protect its interests when the homeowner fails to purchase this coverage. This often occurs during abandonment and foreclosure but can also occur if the ...
How much coverage do I need?
The insurance company and lender, if the property is mortgaged, will usually require that the property be insured at replacement cost. Replacement cost is the amount of money it would take to replace or rebuild your home with materials similar to the kind and quality...
When is Property Insurance Required?
Mortgage lenders require homeowners to carry homeowners’ insurance. There are a number of reasons for this, but the most important one is that your lender will want your home rebuilt or repaired in case of any loss. Your home is the collateral for your mortgage and...
What is the 50 percent rule? Does it affect my property?
Under the terms of the so-called “50 percent rule,” structures sustaining 50 percent or more of their pre-disaster, fair market value are treated as new structures and must be repaired or rebuilt in accordance with current state and local ordinances that regulate new...
New Florida flood insurance requirements
Citizens' Property Insurance Corp.
adds flood policy mandate
Effective Jan. 1, 2024, Citizens requires flood insurance coverage for new and renewal policies with wind coverage that insure dwellings with a replacement cost of $600,000 or more. By 2027, all structures regardless of value will be required to have flood insurance.
Learn more about the mandate
The law mandates all policies with wind coverage must maintain flood coverage as outlined below.
- Effective January 1, 2025 - Structures that have a dwelling replacement cost of $500,000 or more
- Effective January 1, 2026 - Structures that have a dwelling replacement cost of $400,000 or more
- Effective January 1, 2027 - All structures (including tenant) regardless of value