Florida Homeowners Insurance: Protecting Your Most Valuable Investment

Coverage A includes the roof, walls, floors, and attached structures like garages or decks. If a covered peril (such as a hurricane, lightning, or fire) damages your home, dwelling coverage will help pay for repairs or rebuilding.

This includes both the inside and outside but excludes personal property. Personal property coverage is discussed under Coverage C.

Coverage A is based on the cost to rebuild the home, not the market value of the home.

Watch this video for a short, easy explanation of Dwelling Coverage:

Tip: Ensure your dwelling coverage is up-to-date with your home’s replacement cost. Need help? Request a Quote

Coverage B in a homeowners insurance policy covers other structures on your property that are not directly attached to your home. These could include:

The amount of coverage varies and can be adjusted based on the value of the additional structures on your property.

Watch this short video for a simple explanation of Other Structures coverage:

Learn More: Have additional structures on your property? Ensure they’re fully covered. Contact Us

Coverage C is your personal property. Here is a good way to tell if something is Coverage A or Coverage C. Imagine if you could turn your house upside down and shake it. Whatever would fall out is personal property. Then, whatever stays in place is part of the dwelling.

Some items like jewelry, guns, collectibles, silverware, and more have special limits of liability. If you have a lot of these types of items, it is worth considering special insurance for them like jewelry insurance to make sure you are properly covered.

Related: Sample Policy Form

Watch this short video to learn more about Personal Property coverage:

Did You Know? Think Safe can help you review whether your items are covered for replacement cost or actual cash value. Learn More

This covers additional expenses that you incur due to the loss.

For example, if your house was damaged by a fire and you had to rent a hotel or apartment while you were still paying your mortgage and waiting for repairs, those extra expenses would be covered in Coverage D.

You would always want to work with your claims adjuster for specifics related to your claim.

Watch this short video to learn more about Loss of Use / Additional Living Expense coverage:

Example: Coverage can help pay for hotel stays, meals, and more during repairs. Request a Quote

Coverage E covers things that happen to a third party that you are legally liable for. We all know that we live in a litigious society these days. Having sufficient liability coverage is very important. This covers things that you are legally liable for like if someone slips and falls on your property.

One thing that people forget, liability coverage also includes the cost of defense while settling your claim. This is a large benefit that many people overlook.

Pro Tip: Consider an umbrella policy for additional liability protection. These are very affordable and provide great protection in the event of a serious claim.

Watch this short video to learn more about Liability coverage:

Coverage F is usually a small limit. It is designed to provide immediate medical treatment, regardless of whether or not you are at fault. This is one of the main differences between Medical Payments vs Liability.

It is better to get someone immediate treatment for a $500 or $1000 claim, instead of letting it become a much larger liability claim. This provides immediate coverage, and if it is a bigger issue, then the insurer will determine if you are legally liable to determine if it would move into Coverage E.

It’s important to note that standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Given Florida’s flood risks, homeowners should consider purchasing a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. It’s often less expensive than you think and can give you peace of mind when a storm’s approaching.

There are typically waiting periods for flood insurance. NFIP has a 30-day waiting period, while most private flood options are between 7-10 days.

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Contact Us to learn more or Request a Quote.

Begin by evaluating your home’s replacement cost, not its market value. The replacement cost is the amount required to rebuild your home from the ground up, including labor and materials.

Additionally, consider the value of your personal belongings and whether you need extra coverage for expensive items. Think about liability limits and whether an umbrella policy might be needed for extra protection.

Comparing quotes ensures you get the best deal. Think Safe Insurance can help you compare homeowners insurance Florida options across multiple carriers.

Be aware of what your policy does and doesn’t cover. Flooding, for example, typically requires a separate policy. You don’t have to be an expert – our agents can review your policy to clarify exclusions and ensure you’re adequately covered.

Many insurance providers offer discounts for:

Opting for a higher deductible can significantly lower your monthly premium. Just make sure you can comfortably afford the out-of-pocket costs if you need to make a claim and it’s a big enough savings to just the extra expense if a claim happens.

In Florida, many insurance companies offer discounts for homeowners who take steps to protect their homes from storms and hurricanes. Upgrading your roof, adding storm shutters, or installing impact-resistant windows can qualify you for savings. All of this shows up on your wind inspection.

If you have questions on whether a certain improvement will help your rate, a good home inspector can tell you how it would impact the wind inspection. That will ultimately be what determines if it will improve the discounts on your policy.

As your home’s value changes or you make significant improvements, it’s essential to review your policy regularly to ensure it still meets your needs. You may also want to adjust your coverage levels if you’ve paid off your mortgage or have fewer valuables to protect.