If you’re looking for homeowners insurance, Florida rates can seem astronomical. Florida is the most expensive state in America for insurance for the home, and there’s little relief in sight. The typical premium for the average house in Florida is close to $2000 per year. That’s more than four times the cost of insuring a house in the least expensive state, Idaho. Florida homeowners insurance is more than double the national average, and continued cost increases could threaten the state’s reputation for a low cost of living compared to the rest of the nation.

Hurricane Claims Are Down, Profits Are Up For Insurers

Florida insurers are enjoying profitable years as hurricane claims are way down recently, and that’s making state insurance regulators examine homeowners insurance Florida rates more carefully. Florida has a recently instituted a state-run homeowners insurance pool called Citizens Property Insurance as well as more traditional free-market policies offered by private insurers. Some observers expected Citizens Property to put downward pressure on rates, but in the latest year with available figures, adding Citizens data into the average added almost 25 percent to the premium average. This increase may be attributable to Citizens offering coverage to homeowners living in the riskiest properties for insurance, which would command even higher premiums in the private market, or might even be uninsurable. Citizens Property now accounts for almost 20 percent of the entire home insurance market in Florida.

It’s sometimes difficult to estimate the true cost of insurance by looking at state to state averages because of big variations in real estate value, potential hazards, including natural disasters, and economic conditions.

Homeowners Insurance Doesn’t Cover Flooding

In Florida, customers are less interested in comparisons […]

You’ve worked hard to buy your house.  It saw you through those early years of marriage when beanie weenies was on the menu several times a week, the birth of your daughter, followed quickly by the next two kids (both girls).  The house became awash in shades of pink, nail polish bottles and eyeshadow.  The backyard cemetery holds the remains of three hamsters, a couple hermit crabs, two chickens and countless numbers of fish.  At times it felt obsessively small, and when the kids had friends over it was overwhelmingly loud.  It protected you through the no-name storm, the hurricane that came alarmingly close to the coastline and dozens of summer thunderstorms that sent the kids scurrying to your bed in the middle of the night.

There’s No Place like Home

You’ve travelled around the world, but there is something comforting about turning down your street – you strain your eyes to catch a glimpse of the corner of the house, sighing with relief when you turn into the driveway – there is just something about ‘coming home’.

You keep your house looking good – the lawn stays mowed, the gutters get cleaned out every season and every few years she gets a new coat of paint to keep her looking her best.  The most important thing you can do for your house, however, is to make sure that you’re armed with the best home insurance in Florida possible.

Finding a Plan

Finding the best home insurance in Florida means more than doing a late night search on the internet trying to find the least expensive plan available.  It means doing some research, talking to your friends and neighbors, calling a few agents for a quote and then comparing them.

There is no one size fits all plan for homeowners in Florida – prices can vary depending on where in the state you live, how close to […]

You Can Quote Me

You probably just typed “home insurance quote Tallahassee FL” into Google and saw all the results. Yeah, there’s a lot.  Every insurer wants you at their site getting a quote from them and making an on the spot decision.

It’s not enough to just get a quote; you need to be able to get the right quote on the right policy and the right riders.  Sound confusing?  You’re not alone.

So, what constitutes a good home insurance quote in Tallahassee, FL?  Well, first, what constitutes a good home insurance policy for Tallahassee?

Bank On It

That depends on what is important to you or your mortgage company in an insurance policy.  Why your mortgage company?  For the same reason the bank that owns your loan has a say in the type of policy you need, to protect their assets.

When you’re in the process of purchasing a home, the mortgage company will give you a specific coverage level they require you to have.  If you’ve owned your home for a while and are looking to change companies, give the bank a call and ask what level of coverage you need.

Show You the Money

Once you know the policy you need, it’s time to get some quotes.  If you go to the website for the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, you can narrow down the hundreds of property and casualty insurance companies by area.  That way, you’ll only be looking at the ones for Tallahassee. Check with your friends and neighbors, too.  Some will have the same Tallahassee FL home insurance company.  Make sure you really focus on asking in-depth questions so you can compare the answers about the same company.  If you get a lot of the same answers, whether good or bad, from different people about one company, you can pretty well trust it.

Choice […]

Finding homeowners insurance in Miami can be quite a task. There are so many options available out there, it’s overwhelming to think about. By conducting proper research online, you can find affordable coverage with a trustworthy carrier. By shopping online here at Florida Insurance Quotes, you can easily start saving hundreds on a policy.

Miami home insurance prices are increasing each year. It’s rare to see a decrease in premiums when comparing to other states. In fact, Miami is home to the highest premiums in the nation. The average annual premium here is around $1900 per year. When it comes time to compare costs and coverages, you need to completely understand the base premium for a standard home insurance policy may look affordable, but may not provide you with the proper coverage that your home needs. You should think more about this before diving into your search.

In order to determine how much home insurance coverage you need, try these steps below. Keep in mind not buying enough coverage is a huge risk. You will definitely want enough homeowners insurance in Miami FL to:

• Rebuild your home
• Replace all of your belongings
• Cover your injuries and damages that happen on your property
• Reimburse your living expenses after losing an insured home

When it comes to your dwelling coverage, it will help rebuild your home if it becomes destroyed. Dwelling coverage consists of your homes structure, all the materials it took to build it, and anything attached like a garage. Take your dwelling coverage needs into consideration when it comes time to purchase a policy. In order to determine how much you need, your dwelling cost should be equal to the replacement cost of your house. The replacement cost is how much money it will cost to rebuild your […]

Florida homeowners may soon gain more options for flood insurance, more than what’s offered by the current federally subsidized national program, due to a measure that’s designed to help encourage more private companies to enter the market.

Earlier this month, the Florida Senate passed the bill, which would provide Florida residents with the flood insurance alternatives they’ve probably wanted.

While many Florida residents do need some type of flood insurance, especially if they live in flood-prone parts of the state, the lack of options on the market make it difficult for Florida residents to get true coverage. Most residents have to get it through the federally subsidized program. For a long time, that particular program was the only way that people could get some kind of flood insurance for a FL home.

With this bill passed, Florida residents can now look forward to having more options on the market than just the aforementioned program.

Major reforms on Florida flood insurance 

Despite the new measure passing in Florida, the federally subsidized program that allowed people to register for flood insurance did undergo some recent changes, particularly in light of the major insurance reforms that have taken place over the past year. Due to the reforms, it causes policies available through the federal program to rise in price. The once affordable insurance premiums increased higher, some of which were too high for homeowners to continue paying. Those prices especially rose in areas that are more flood-prone and even for older homes.

Since those changes happened, Congress later enacted a ‘stop-gap measure’ that helped delay some of the more expensive changes that occurred due to those reforms, also known as the Bigger-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act. Despite the quick enactment, that doesn’t […]

If you own a home or are planning to purchase one, you need home insurance in Florida. But even those who already have it may not completely understand what it covers or how it works. So continue reading this article as we cover the basics involved.

Buying a Home      

First, if you’re a buying a home, be sure to factor in the costs of Florida home insurance. I know you probably already feel like you have enough numbers flying around you head, but this is an important one. Without home insurance, you’ll never secure a mortgage because no bank is going to risk that much money on a property that could go up in flames without a single dime behind it.

How to Determine the Amount Insured

There’s lots of different lingo surrounding Florida home insurance, so it’s important you know what you’re doing when trying to secure a policy. For example, you want to make sure you get insurance for the cost of replacing your home (i.e. the construction costs). What you don’t want is insurance for the real estate it’s built on. Also, do not factor in the amount your land is worth. This will needlessly drive up your premiums because you’re not trying to insure dirt and grass.

Other Considerations

But if something happens to your home, chances are it will happen to things within your home too, right? That’s why it’s important you get a home insurance policy that covers them as well.

For example, you want your belongings to be insured. This is often worth half of the amount of the dwelling. Structures around your house may also be insured like your garage, a fence, guest house or pool. There’s also such a thing as “loss of use.” This refers to other living expenses you might have to take on if your home is unlivable due to damages. So things like living out of a hotel and […]

Have you heard the term “hurricane insurance in Florida”? We all have. While this is a commonly used term, it sort of doesn’t exist. However, there is a combination of policies that can protect your home from hurricanes and there damages. If you are a FL resident and live in a hurricane zone, it’s recommended to purchase as much extra coverage as you can afford.

Florida homeowners is the first step when it comes to protecting your home. In fact, you may be able to supplement your policy with windstorm insurance or even flood insurance. A standard wind insurance policy can protect your home from some damages caused by strong winds. If heavy winds from a hurricane damage your home, your policy will help by reimbursing you for those damages. The first half of “hurricane insurance” is windstorm insurance. You can purchase this in addition to your normal homeowners policy. In this case, all wind damages will fall under this policy instead of your traditional homeowners. It’s also important to understand that windstorm insurance is usually offered to customers in the form of a rider.

Hurricane deductibles?

Homeowners policies also exclude hurricanes and the damages that come along with them. For instance water damages due to flooding. In fact, flooding is the number one cause of damages in the United States, therefore, purchasing the right coverage is a smart move. Never assume that flooding can’t happen to you. As a Florida resident, it can easily happen.

While there is no such thing as hurricane insurance in Florida, you may be required to pay a hurricane deductible. A hurricane deductible is an amount that you must pay before coverage kicks in. These deductibles are separate from your regular homeowners deductible. Usually, a hurricane deductible is between 2-5% of what your home is insured for.

The second half of “hurricane insurance” is flood insurance. […]

Do you own a mobile home in Florida? Are you confused whether not you can purchase mobile home insurance in Florida? Let’s clear up this confusion! Here’s everything you need to know about insuring your mobile home.

A mobile home is perfect for Florida. This is due to the affordability and warmer weather the Sunshine State provides. Actually, 1 in every 3 homes built in Florida is a mobile or manufactured home. Before buying a mobile home, it is important you understand all the details.

Can I get mobile or moble home insurance in Florida? The answer is obviously yes, you can. Before purchasing a policy, you need to understand what is covered by this type of policy. Details of your policy will vary based on the company that you choose.

What does mobile home insurance in Florida cover?

If you google “mobile home insurance in Florida” you will determine that it covers:

• Your Structure
• Personal Property
• Personal Liability

First, the structure of your home will be covered by your policy. This is a standard coverage type. It will cover your home along with any structures that are located on your property such as a shed or carport. Your structure will be covered by perils such as lightning, wind, and fire.

Your personal property, also known as your belongings are also covered. A basic policy can provide you with this type of coverage. An example of what will be covered is your furniture, clothing, and electronics. Personal Liability will cover any liability if an accident were to happen on your property. There’s always a chance of an accident happening. So it’s important that you are covered. There are some things that mobil home insurance in Florida won’t cover. For example, flooding is not covered. Always make sure that you look into optional coverage to make sure […]

Finding affordable homeowners insurance in Florida is not easy.  Especially because Florida has the highest average cost of homeowners insurance in the US. These high prices are mostly due to the major risks that living in Florida brings. For example the increased likelihood of hurricanes or tornadoes. However, this should not come as a surprise considering Florida’s coastal geography. In fact, these perils cause thousands of dollars worth of damages in claims every year. Due to the frequency of claims, you may notice that your FL homeowners prices are slightly increasing.

On average, how much is homeowners insurance in Florida?

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Florida is $2,350. This is nearly double the national average of $1,200. Of course, you will have to purchase a policy because of the risk of damages from severe storms, tornados, and wildfires increase every single year.  As you may already know, insurance carriers calculate the cost of your policy by asking “what are the chances that something bad will happen?” The higher the chance of something bad happening, the more expensive your policy will be. Florida is especially risky due to crime, weather, and home values.

How can I find homeowners insurance in Florida?

FloridaInsuranceQuotes.net can help you find the least expensive homeowners insurance in your area! We specialize in the Florida insurance market. With homeowners prices steadily increasing each year, your smartest option is to let us do the work for you. Especially because many big name providers choose not to operate in Florida. That’s more than enough of a reason to collect quotes from us, that way you can easily determine which companies can provide the right coverage for you. Why not take the easy route and let us present you with the right homeowners insurance in Florida […]

Southern Florida has the highest home insurance in the United States. It’s a given that residents wonder why coverage is so expensive. This is simply because Florida leads all other states when it comes to insured catastrophic risk. The higher the chance of risk, the more expensive your homeowners will be.

Why does South FL have higher homeowners insurance?

Higher South Florida homeowners insurance prices are due to the constant destruction caused by hurricanes, high winds, flooding, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. However, one of the main perils that Floridians face is hurricanes. Each year hurricanes cause massive amounts of damage in South Florida. In addition to hurricanes, Florida is also ranked sixth and seventh for wildfires and tornadoes. South Florida is also vulnerable to sinkholes and is known as the lightning belt. Florida’s lightning packs a higher charge than average, which increases the chance of damages. It’s scary once you realize just how many risks your home is exposed to!

Florida is currently paying out more for losses than any other state, just look at your expensive premiums as proof! South FL is full of too many risks. It is important that you select the right policy that can provide you with complete coverage. Luckily, we can help with that!

How to score a great South Florida Homeowners Policy

Just because home insurance in south FL is expensive doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to find a policy that fits your budget. In fact, FloridaInsuranceQuotes.net can easily help you out! We can help because we know all the specialist companies. These specialist companies can provide you with the least expensive stripped down insurance or high value policies that actually have enough coverage in the event there […]

39 Top Rated Home Insurance Companies For Florida In 2019

In addition to our top rated homeowners insurance companies in Florida list, we have also provided more information about “homeowners insurance Florida“. If you read through each one, it will help you determine the level of service each company can provide to you. Keep reading below to get a better understanding of your options or simply click on “Get A Quote” and let us find you the ideal option for your hard earned money.

• American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida

  American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida serves over 250,000 policyholders throughout FL. Whether you are a policyholder or deciding what fits your needs, this company looks forward to developing a long lasting relationship with you.

• American Strategic Insurance 

  American Strategic Insurance is one of the largest homeowners carriers in all of North America. This company sets big goals, and they achieve each one by paying close attention to the details. They really do care about people and their local communities. They work hard to go above and beyond.

• American Traditions Insurance

  American Traditions Insurance is committed to providing fast and friendly claims to all policyholders. This company’s main goal is to allow you to return to your normal lifestyle as quickly as possible.

• Avatar Property and Casualty Insurance

  Avatar Property and Casualty […]

Trying to secure cheap Florida homeowners insurance can be quite a task. However, that does not mean it’s difficult. With some planning ahead and taking the time to review everything, you can lock down that cheap policy you’ve been looking for.

Finding coverage is easy. All it takes is for you to collect a few quotes. Did you know that by shopping around with us can save you hundreds of dollars on a policy? Here is how you can do just that.

Secure your quotes with us   

Start off by collecting quotes from multiple companies right here. There is no need to go elsewhere. It’s easy.  Enter your basic information into our system, we will compare you with over 25 companies and provide you with quotes in 30 seconds or less, finalizing the process with our representative contacting you to finalize your policy.

We can provide you with a better deal by conducting a price match with other providers against their competition.

What else can I do to get cheap homeowners insurance in Florida?

In addition to collecting quotes, there are other ways you can lock in cheap Florida home insurance. First, you can limit how much of a risk you are to a company. Risk is a big word in the insurance world. If you are a big risk to a company, they won’t insure you or they will gouge you with an expensive premium.

By making yourself less of a risk, you can receive a lower premium. For example, you may try to minimize your risk of flooding in your home. Flood damages are the number one insurance claim in the United States. If your home is located in a high-risk zone, you can take a few steps to reduce your premiums. You can install proper flood openings, elevate all of your utilities above the ground, and elevate your home.

Also, try to reinforce your home. By investing in storm shutters, reinforcing your roof, and updating […]

Trampolines are a type of device that characteristically features a piece of strong tight fabric stretched taut over a steel frame featuring several coiled springs. This produces a device that’s bouncy enough to launch people in the air when they jump onto it. While the fabric mat that stretches over the frame isn’t entirely elastic, it’s the responsibility of the coiled springs that produce the elasticity causing the bouncy effect, since they store potential energy.

Trampolines are an object of affection for kids, though they’re also commonly used in sports and recreational contexts where the device may be needed to facilitate higher jumps and the like. People can even buy trampolines for use at their home. While it’s simple to buy a trampoline, there are potential issues with buying one. Those issues often involve safety issues.

The problem with trampolines

Trampolines can be a fun addition to the home, though they have a side that a lot of people don’t quite understand… until someone gets hurt. If not tended to properly, a trampoline can hurt someone. And, when we say ‘tended to,’ we’re mainly talking about supervising or watching over the people that may choose to use your trampoline at any time. The thing about trampolines that they’re instant liabilities—even if you do watch the people that use your trampoline, there’s still a risk of someone becoming injured just by using it. That’s the main issue with having a trampoline at your home.

That’s another reason why kids shouldn’t be left alone with trampolines either. While you can do everything to make sure your kids’ trampoline is high quality and safe enough to use, the risk of injury is still there. Add in the possibility of someone else’s kids getting injured and you pretty much open up a new can of worms, as they say. The innate possibility of risk is a big reason why many […]

Did you know? Home insurance costs are actually on the rise, what with increasing and/or stagnant mortgage rates and the prospect of having to protect homes in an increasingly deprecating market. Even the condition of a home’s location can affect its insurance rates, so homeowners who have experienced a changing ‘climate’ in their location may be subject to those ‘so-called’ home insurance rates.

Homes themselves can also affect how much a homeowner pays for a monthly home insurance premium. In a state like Florida, the weather can beat down on a home, changing its exterior to the point of it impacting its insurance policy. Even severe weather can change how an insurance company secures a policy against a home.

Due to parameters like these, it’s up to homeowners themselves to learn how to save money on their home insurance policy. As the seasons change, homeowners should always have options open for an insurance policy that’s both appropriate for their home’s needs and cost effective enough to prevent it from impeding their financial viability.

So, can you, as a homeowner, save enough money on a FL home insurance policy this fall and winter season? Believe it or not, it’s quite possible for any first time buyer to find an insurance policy that fits the needs of their home.

Florida Home Insurance – The facts

Florida is undoubtedly known for its rather extreme weather changes—thunderstorms and lightening, heavy rain showers, tornadoes and hurricanes. The weather, too, affects homes on the coast line just as they affect homes that reside inland. Thanks to this, homeowners without any type of insurance policy on their home is actually doing their home is a disservice for its overall viability.

Home insurance in Florida, […]

If you already own a home, particularly in FL, you’ve probably already put in the work to secure finances and take care of the legalities in order to settle into that house with your family. Your next step is to ensure that your home is protected for years to come. When it comes to owning a home, insurance is a must.

About FL home insurance

FL home insurance, also known as FL home insurance and even hazard’s insurance, is a type of property insurance that’s designed to cover a private residence.

This policy provides various insurance protections that are fundamentally personal in nature, including damages that occur to your home, the contents of your home, the loss of your home and/or the loss of other possessions that belong to you as someone who owns a home.

This type of insurance also covers burdens in the form of liability insurance, especially such as of accidents occurring at your home.

Home insurance across the United States is also referred to as a “multiple-line insurance policy”. This is the case of policies that include both property insurance and liability coverage with an indivisible premium – one that is essentially a single paid premium that covers all potential risks. Most, if not all, basic home insurance policies are structured in this way. The cost of these insurance policies are based on what it may cost to replace the home, in addition to any additional endorsement and/or riders attached to the policy in question.

FL home insurance policies are more or less contracts between your insurance provider and a named insurer—in this case, yourself as the homeowner. As a contract of indemnity, this contract is mainly designed to help bring your home and your self back to the state it was in before any accident or losses.

Coverage to safeguard your home

Home insurance […]

The Best Florida Home Insurance Has The Coverage You Really Need

Even the best Florida home insurances rates are climbing yearly. Florida is subject to some of the most extreme weather in the nation, and when many homeowners make claims, it’s common for rates to rise in following years. If you’re trying to save money on your home insurance in Florida, shopping around for the lowest price isn’t the only way you can do it. If you understand the most common claims you’re likely to make on your insurance, you can tailor your policy to save money now, and keep from spending money out of pocket if you need to file a claim later, only to find that you’re underinsured.

Water Damage

As you might expect in a subtropical and tropical state like Florida, water damage is the most common claim made on homeowner insurance policies. Many homeowners incur big expenses when they skimp on water damage coverage, thinking that Flood Insurance will cover them in the event of any water damage. Flood Insurance, while useful, only pays for damage due to flooding when it’s part of a natural disaster. If your roof leaks badly in a rainstorm after a tree branch falls on it, or one of your plumbing pipes bursts and wrecks your home’s interior, only your homeowner insurance policy’s coverage will pay for the repairs. The best homeowners insurance in Florida should have high coverage limits for water damage.

Lightning Strikes

Florida’s climate makes heavy storms and lightning strikes very common. Florida residents are sometimes caught underinsured for damage caused by lightning strikes because they carry the wrong insurance to cover them. Because lightning strikes are so often associated with heavy rain, homeowners assume that either flood insurance or water damage riders […]

To many people, the sky-high home insurance rates in Florida come as a bit of a surprise. Many friends and family often confess to me that they find it odd that such a sunny, cheerful state should be effected by such catastrophic home insurance rates. However, Floridians know that expensive homeowners policies have become the norm. Florida actually boasts some of the highest home insurance rates in the entire country. Now that you know your homeowners policy is going to be a major expense, how can you find the best rates online? If you live in the sunshine state, Florida Insurance Quotes can help you find affordable coverage.

The Pinch

Ok, so it’s not just the homeowners of Florida who are being affected by the skyrocketing home insurance rates in Florida. The State’s economy is beginning to feel the pinch. Due to the high prices which homeowners are required to pay, many homeowners budgets are beginning to strain a little. This means that, well, the state of Florida’s economy is not doing as well as other states. As many of you will know, the average premium for home insurance in Florida is around $1933, according to a report published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. This price is four times the price of a similar policy in Idaho, which is the least expensive state in terms of home insurance.

Above Average

In fact, homeowners insurance in Florida is now twice the amount of the national average. A key factor in Florida’s growth as the sunshine state has been, until recently, its glowing reputation for low-cost living. However, this growth is being affected by the increasing insurance rates. People are leaving the state and many people, especially young people, are reluctant to move there due to fears that they will not be able to insure their […]

Most homeowners have a requirement commonly referred to as Florida property insurance, but it can be a rather confusing process.  If you are trying to find quotes for your unique situation, understanding the questions an agent will ask you is very important.  Understanding the most frequently asked questions will ensure that you are able to provide as much information as possible to get the right coverages, and great quotes.

Residence Type

Florida property insurance coverages vary greatly depending on the type of home you live in.  There are different coverage limits and policies depending on what type of residence you own, including:

• Traditional Homes
• Condos
• Manufactured Homes
• Rental Properties
• Townhomes

Each of these residence types have specific requirements and types of policies, so make sure you have the correct information when you speak to an agent.

Age of the Home

Quotes for individual property insurance vary depending on the age of the home.  Older homes typically cost more to insure than newer ones, with brand new homes being the least expensive of all.  If possible, make sure you can provide the exact year of when your home was built to insure you get the great possible quotes.

Location

The amount of risk changes depending on the area in which you live, and this seriously affects the quotes for property insurance.  Insurance agents will look at historical data to determine the amount of crime, potential for severe weather, and the possibility of flooding in your area to come up with the best possible quotes.  Understanding the history of your area will help you have a better understanding of the potential prices you may have to pay.

Building Materials

The […]

There are many different problems that can lead to increases for property insurance in Florida.  Understanding the most common claims can help you choose the policy that best fits your needs, so you do not have to worry about significant out-of-pocket costs later on.

Water Damage

Water damage is one of the most frequent filed claims in the state of Florida, but these claims do not include all the costs associated with flooding.  Water damage policies cover sudden issues that result from damaged or broken pipes, or drain failures that result in plumbing backups.  In some Florida counties, these costs average well over $6,000 per claim.

Burglary or Theft

Stolen property due to theft or burglary often results in nearly $3,000 in claims, making it another one of the most often filed losses.   For this reason, you should make sure that any property insurance you choose provides adequate coverage for this issue.

Wind Damage

Many areas in Florida are subjected to high winds.  These can occur in tornadoes, hurricanes, or cyclones, and the damages can be significant.  Wind related property insurance claims in Florida generally cost over $5,300 dollars or more, depending on the area in which you live.

Physical Damage

Physical damage can include a wide range of causes, but these damages are those that are not covered or listed under any other part of the Florida property insurance policy.  These damages affect personal property and typically result in more than $3,000 per claim.

Lightning

Heavy storms are the norm in many areas of Florida, resulting in numerous claims of lightning damage.  These types of claims include any damages […]

Florida has long been a favorite destination for those hoping to get away from the harsh, bitter winters that plague other parts of the country.  However, there are some things that new arrivals to the Sunshine state should be aware of, one of which is the cost of property insurance.

Florida property insurance rate are the highest in the nation, and this has had a devastating impact on both the economy, and homeowners’’ budgets.  When you consider that Florida’s overall reputation has always been a place for rather low cost living, the exorbitant rates are certainly causing many to wonder if they should consider the move.

Lack of Claims Does Not Matter

In the past couple of years, Florida homeowners have been pretty lucky as far as the lack of devastating hurricanes, but this has not stopped a steady increase in property insurance rates.  In the last year, state regulators saw rate increase requests climb by nearly 70%, forcing them to take a hard look at exactly why these rates are so high.

Considerations

When determining the cost of insurance rates in Florida, it is important to understand that there are a wide range of policies covering the state of Florida.  The means that when the rate averages are determined, areas of low crime and weather threats are lumped in along with those with considerably higher threat levels.  The result is a rather skewed view of the actual property insurance rates in areas that are not considered high risk.

How Rates are Determined

FL property insurance rates are determined by where the home is located, as well as the potential risk of the insurance companies having to pay a claim.  […]

Owners of condominiums need to purchase coverage. In fact, condo insurance in Florida can be quite tricky. While technically a policy is not required by law, your condo association will require it. Knowing the perfect amount of coverage you need can be confusing. As you may already know, multi-family units and single family units will have different needs. Condo owners need to understand that there may be a need to have two different types of policies to protect their major financial investment.

The first policy is usually provided by your condominium association. This will consist of covering the building exterior such as the walkways, the lawns, and other areas located on the grounds. The second policy is purchased by you, the owner. This second policy will strictly protect your personal belongings, the inside of your condo such as the walls, floor, cabinets, and personal liability.

At the time of purchasing your condo, you will need to show proof of insurance. Therefore you will need to do your research beforehand. Condo insurance in FL is for sure not a one size fits all policy. Every condo owner has different coverage needs.

Do I need a condo policy in Florida?

FL condo owners used to be required by law to purchase condo coverage. However, that is no longer the case. Your condo association may require you to purchase a policy, show proof that your policy meets their minimum limits, may have to purchase coverage from a particular company.

Before purchasing a policy, you will need to understand what’s covered by your policy. Knowing the difference between a condo and homeowners policy is definitely the first step you need to take. The condo policy is known as HO-6 and can be referred to as walls in coverage. Here is what you can expect to be covered by your condo insurance in Florida […]

You live in Florida, the land of sunshine and beaches.  It’s also the land of hurricanes, and flooding near the coastline.  Not to mention the countless other things, natural and man-made, that can damage your home – inside and out.  In other words, if you live in Florida, you need home owners insurance. Home owners insurance companies in Florida run the whole scale of good to horrible, so you don’t want open the yellow pages and use the “close your eyes and point” method to pick one.  This is one of the most important decisions you as a homeowner will face. After all, whichever home insurer you choose will be helping you during your time of need.  And if you pick a substandard insurance company, you can expect substandard service and poor claim payouts.

So, how do you find home owners insurance in Florida?  Do your research!

Know Your Choices

First things first, you need to know how much insurance needed and how much it will cost. FloridaInsuranceQuotes.net has a tool for consumers to see how much a particular plan could cost them.  Now, this is simply for illustrative purposes, but it’s a great start before getting a detailed quote.

Consult an Expert

Florida Insurance Quotes has compiled a list of the highest and lowest ranked home owners insurers in the country.  USAA leads the list, but it only offers home owners insurance in the state of Florida to active duty military service members stationed within the state.  But not to worry, we have a comprehensive list of which company is good, which is bad, and which is downright terrible!  (And they may not be who you expect!)

We also gives some great tips for lowering your premiums, adding extra riders to ensure the proper amount of coverage, and getting the right policy for your money. After you’ve decided how much insurance you need, have a general idea […]

A quick Google search for the terms “homeowners insurance companies Florida” shows the consumer an overwhelming list of insurers, and a few articles regarding how to choose a company.

Insurers run the gamut from national companies to local companies, from those exclusive to one group (such as military members) to those who cover anyone.  It’s a difficult, if not daunting task to choose, but here are some things that can make it easier for you.

Ask Around

Ask your friends, family, and neighbors who they use, especially your neighbors.  The people who have lived in your area for a long period of time have probably filed a claim or two.  They have learned if their homeowners insurance company makes good on claims, or gives you the runaround.

Also ask them why they went with their current insurer over another one, what type of policy and riders they have, and why they have them.  Especially if you are new to Florida, you may not know every type of hazard you may face as a homeowner.  Is the area prone to flooding?  Do you need additional hurricane insurance?  Have there been issues with the sewers and do you need a rider for that?

Check Up on Them

Once you’ve got a list of insurers from people you know, and you’ve picked their brains clean of insurance related information, it’s time to do some digging on your own.  Check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints.  It’s a great place to see if there are complaints, what types of complaints there are, and who filed them.  A lot of customer complaints regarding claims?  Time to move on to the next one!

Put Them in the Hot Seat

When you’ve got your short list of potential homeowners insurance companies in Florida, pick up the phone and start calling the local agents that service your friends and neighbors.  […]

What happened?

Florida homeowners are frantically trying to shop for a new insurance policy after companies have dropped over 87,000 Florida policies. This sudden policy drop is due to expensive hurricane damages throughout the state. Did you know hurricanes Irma and Michael caused over $15 billion dollars’ worth in claims alone?

Along with hurricane damages, water damage claims are skyrocketing. This has caused Florida home insurance costs to rise, leading to major carriers to drop their customers. Citizens Property states that an increase in non-weather related water claims has affected claims too. That includes plumbing issues, roof problems, and other insurance claims not tied to storms.

It’s no surprise that Florida is number one when it comes to expensive home insurance. In fact, the average premium here is almost double the national average. With these climbing prices, residents can struggle to find affordable coverage.

What are my options?

If you are a FL resident and have been dropped from your current company, you will need coverage as soon as possible. If you haven’t been dropped, it’s still important to ask your current provider if there’s a chance you could be. That way your household is prepared to begin shopping for a new policy.

Customers that have not been dropped by their smaller state-based company can expect to see a premium increase of 8%, which gives local insurance agents reason to predict other companies will soon follow that lead.

With a premium increase to follow in 2019, Florida homeowners should expect to pay twice the national average in premiums.

How can I find a Florida home insurance company that fits my budget?

If you are trying to shop for a new Florida home insurance policy or are looking to save some money on your policy, Florida Insurance Quotes can help customers save about $1600/year on average for a Florida home insurance policy. With a sudden premium […]

Who Covers Your Hazards?

There are many companies writing homeowners insurance in Florida.  Some are for specific groups – such as USAA for military service members – and some are your standard national insurers – such as All State.  Not all of them are going to work for you.

In fact, as a Florida homeowner, you’re faced with the task of narrowing the field to one insurer to cover hazards to your home.  So which one do you pick?  Well, that depends on a lot of factors.

Not all insurance companies are the same.  That seems to go without saying, however, you’d be surprised how many people think of them as being the same dog with different fleas.

Size Matters

A good starting point for comparison is size.  Is bigger better?  Or do you want to go with a small, Florida insurer?

Smaller companies can give you that Mom and Pop feel many consumers really love.  However, smaller companies may not have the financial resources to pay out on big claims from a hurricane or other natural disaster.  Many are backed by large reinsurance companies – reinsurance is a fancy way of saying your insurer has insurance – but having an insurer go belly-up right after a major storm is not a pleasant thought.

Bigger companies may have lots of layers of red tape or hoops to jump through for claims, but let’s face it, they have the money to pay.  And that is, in the long run, what it’s about, getting money when you need it.

Who You Know and What They Know

The best way to get the Mom and Pop feel from a big company is to develop a relationship with your local agent.  He or she should have ties to the community and be someone you can get ahold of should you need them.  There’s nothing worse than not being able to reach your agent should the need arise.  Well, not getting the claim paid at all would be worse, but having to chase […]