If you’re researching Security First Insurance for your Florida home, you’re probably comparing a quote, double-checking a carrier you already have, or trying to understand what makes this company different before you commit. Security First has been a fixture in the Florida homeowners market for two decades, and we can help you figure out whether it’s the right fit for your specific home.
Think Safe Insurance is an independent agency authorized to write Security First policies across Florida, including our local communities in Brandon, Valrico, Riverview, and Apollo Beach. We’ll put it side-by-side with our other Florida carriers so you’re deciding with the full picture — not just one quote.
Security First Insurance Florida — Quick Summary
- Financial strength: A (Exceptional) from Demotech, affirmed 3/23/2026, backed by over $1 billion in reinsurance — not currently rated by AM Best
- 2026 rates: Filed consecutive rate decreases — 5.2% for Signature+ HO-3 (Jan 2026), 8% for legacy Signature HO-3 (Dec 2025), and 16% for landlord policies (Apr 2026)
- HO-3 vs. HO-5: Security First’s Premier (HO-5) tier is a real step up — broader “all-risk” coverage on personal property, plus Equipment Breakdown and Service Line coverage bundled in at no extra cost
- Company roots: Founded 2005 by former Florida Senator Locke Burt, part of a 100+ year family insurance legacy, headquartered in Ormond Beach, FL
- Worth knowing: Holds an A+ rating with the BBB, though formal complaint volume runs on the higher side — common among Florida property insurers given claims complexity after major storms, but worth factoring in
Security First — A Real Florida Story
Security First Insurance was founded in 2005 by Locke Burt, a former Florida State Senator who served in office during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 — one of the most destructive storms in Florida history, and one that reshaped how the state thinks about property insurance. After leaving the Senate, Burt set out to build a carrier specifically designed around Florida’s risks, not a national company that happened to offer coverage here.
There’s a deeper family story here too: Burt’s own family has been in the insurance business for more than 100 years, tracing back through his great-grandfather. Today, Security First is headquartered in Ormond Beach, FL, is family-owned and operated, and has grown into one of the largest homeowners insurers in the state — insuring hundreds of thousands of Florida homes.
Is Security First Financially Stable?
Security First holds an A (Exceptional) Financial Stability Rating from Demotech, most recently affirmed March 23, 2026 — a rating it has maintained since opening its doors in 2005. That’s backed by more than $1 billion in reinsurance, giving the company real capacity to pay claims even after multiple storms hit in a single season. Security First is not currently rated by AM Best, which is common for a Florida-focused specialty carrier of its size. Ratings can change, so confirm current status with your agent before you buy.
Also worth knowing: Security First has filed several consecutive rate decreases as Florida’s insurance market has stabilized — a 5.2% reduction for Signature+ HO-3 policies in January 2026, an 8% decrease for legacy Signature HO-3 policies in December 2025, and a 16% average reduction for landlord policies in April 2026. That’s a meaningfully different trend than the rate increases many Florida homeowners got used to over the past several years.
HO-3 vs. HO-5: Why the Policy Type Matters With Security First
Most Florida homeowners policies are HO-3 — and Security First offers a solid one. But their Premier tier is actually an HO-5 policy, and the difference is bigger than it sounds. On a standard HO-3, your personal property (furniture, clothes, electronics — everything inside the home) is covered on a “named perils” basis, meaning only the specific causes of loss listed in the policy are covered. An HO-5 flips that: your personal property is covered on an “open perils” or “all-risk” basis, meaning it’s covered for everything except what’s specifically excluded — broader protection, by default.
Security First’s Premier (HO-5) policy sweetens the deal further: it bundles in Equipment Breakdown coverage and Service Line coverage at no additional cost — two add-ons that cost extra on most policies elsewhere. If you’re comparing quotes and only looking at the base premium, it’s easy to miss that a Premier HO-5 quote may already include coverage you’d otherwise be paying separately for on a different carrier’s HO-3. We’ll walk through both tiers with you so you can see exactly what you’re getting for the price, not just the sticker number.
What Insurance Does Security First Offer?
- Homeowners Insurance — HO-3, and Premier (HO-5) for broader open-perils protection
- Condo Insurance HO-6
- Renters Insurance
- Landlord Insurance (DF-1 and DF-3-DL), plus short-term rental insurance for hosts
Unique Coverages Worth Knowing About
- Equipment Breakdown Coverage: Covers up to $100,000 for sudden electrical, mechanical, or pressure-system breakdown to your home’s equipment — A/C systems, water heaters, refrigerators, pool equipment, home security systems, and more. Bundled at no extra cost on the Premier (HO-5) policy.
- Identity Theft Protection: Available for about $25/year, this includes credit monitoring and a dedicated recovery specialist through Security First’s protection partner if your identity is ever compromised.
- Service Line Coverage: Protects the underground water, sewer, electrical, and communication lines running into your home — a real gap in most standard policies, and one of the pricier repairs to pay for out of pocket if it’s not covered.
- Golf Cart Coverage: Physical damage and liability coverage for golf carts, a genuinely useful option for many Florida homeowners. If you need broader LSV or golf cart insurance outside a Security First policy, we write that too.
Filing a Claim With Security First
Security First’s claims team is available to help you get your home back to normal, and the company runs its own First Choice Repair Network of 150+ vetted, licensed Florida contractors if you’d rather not source your own. Call 877-333-9992 to report a claim, or file through their online claims portal. For identity theft claims specifically, call 800-676-5696 directly. Having your policy number ready will help speed things along, and we’re happy to help you navigate the process if you need support.
Why Florida Homeowners Work With Think Safe Insurance for Security First
We’re not limited to one carrier, and that matters here more than most places — Security First’s HO-3 and Premier (HO-5) tiers can price very differently depending on your specific home, and the right call isn’t always obvious from the outside. As your independent agent, we’ll run both options against your property and show you honestly which one makes more sense, plus how Security First compares to our other Florida carriers.
Whether you are insuring a home in Brandon, a newer build in Valrico, a townhome in Riverview, or a property near the water in Apollo Beach, we know how local wind-mitigation and flood factors influence your final rate. We’ll help you navigate the underwriting details so you don’t overpay.
Whether you’re comparing Security First for the first time or already have a policy and want a second opinion, call 813-425-1626 or request a quote online — let’s find the coverage that actually fits your home.
Security First Insurance FAQ
Is Security First Insurance financially stable?
Yes. Security First holds an A (Exceptional) Financial Stability Rating from Demotech, most recently affirmed March 23, 2026, backed by over $1 billion in reinsurance. It’s not currently rated by AM Best, which is typical for a specialty Florida carrier of its size.
What’s the difference between Security First’s HO-3 and HO-5 (Premier) policy?
The HO-3 covers personal property on a named-perils basis (only listed causes of loss). The Premier HO-5 covers personal property on an open-perils basis (everything except specific exclusions) — broader protection by default — and bundles in Equipment Breakdown and Service Line coverage at no extra cost.
Does Think Safe Insurance write Security First policies?
Yes. Think Safe Insurance is an independent agency authorized to write Security First policies in Florida, and we can also compare Security First against other carriers we work with.
Are Security First’s rates going up or down in 2026?
Down. Security First filed a 5.2% decrease for Signature+ HO-3 policies in January 2026, an 8% decrease for legacy Signature HO-3 policies in December 2025, and a 16% average decrease for landlord policies in April 2026.
Does Security First offer golf cart insurance?
Yes, as an add-on providing physical damage and liability coverage for golf carts. If you need a standalone LSV or golf cart policy outside of Security First, Think Safe Insurance writes those as well.
How do I file a claim with Security First?
Call Security First directly at 877-333-9992, or file through their online claims portal. Identity theft claims go through a dedicated line at 800-676-5696. Having your policy number ready will help speed things along.
 | Reviewed by Greg Martin Greg Martin has over 18 years of experience helping Brandon, Valrico, and greater Hillsborough County families navigate home, auto, and flood insurance in Florida. He is the owner of Think Safe Insurance. |
Last Reviewed: July 2026