As we do every year, Bay Life is bringing readers up-to-date guidance on preparing for hurricane season—this time with the help of local expert Abora Insurance. With this year’s storms predicted to be more frequent and intense and Hurricane Season beginning June 1, making sure your homeowner’s and flood insurance policies are in order is more critical now than ever.
Here are the essential coverages every Florida homeowner should review now:
Hurricane & Wind Coverage
Most Florida policies (HO3, DP3, HO6, HO4) include hurricane, named storm or wind/hail coverage under a separate deductible. Ideally, your wind coverage should be included in your main home policy to avoid gaps. If your insurer doesn’t offer wind in your area, you’ll need a stand-alone wind policy—and must ensure coverage details match to avoid surprises.
Tip: “Hurricane” coverage typically offers the best protection, applying your larger deductible only to named hurricanes. Smaller deductibles would apply to other wind-related damage.
Coverage A (Dwelling Limit)
Make sure your home is insured for today’s rebuild costs—not what it cost years ago. Data shows nearly 2 in 3 homes are underinsured. If disaster strikes, inadequate coverage could leave you paying thousands out of pocket.
Loss of Use (or Loss of Rents)
This coverage pays for temporary housing if your home is unlivable. For landlords, Loss of Rents ensures continued income during repairs. Not all rental policies include this—check with your agent. Remember, there needs to be direct physical damage to trigger this coverage. Some rental policies don’t include Loss of Rents so you will want to read your policy or call your insurance agent so you know for sure.
Law or Ordinance Coverage
Florida’s building codes change often, especially after major storms. If your home needs to be rebuilt to new code, this coverage helps cover the added cost. Most carriers, if they have it available, offer either 10%, 25% or 50% coverage. This percentage is tied to your Dwelling Limit. If you have extensive hurricane damage, like we saw with Hurricane Michael, there may be new building codes you must adhere to in order to rebuild. The additional Law or Ordinance coverage is crucial to your protection, since your policy is designed to rebuild your home as it was before the damage, with similar materials and quality, and not with more costly materials that could now be required by more stringent construction codes that may have come into play. After storms like Hurricane Michael, this protection proved essential.
Flood Insurance
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage—and floodwaters can result from both hurricanes and regular rain events. While some carriers offer limited flood endorsements, most homeowners need a separate flood policy. Although there are a few carriers who will add flood coverage as an endorsement to a home policy, it is infrequent.
You have two main options:
- NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program): For most insureds, your flood policy will be a separate policy written through the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program), and, unless your lender requires the policy, or you’re closing on a new purchase, there is a standard 30- day waiting period through the NFIP before your flood policy will become effective.
- Private Flood Insurance: Growing in availability, often with broader coverage and less waiting, Private flood insurance is an alternative. Many of the private markets in in the country, and especially in Florida, offer broader coverages than the NFIP and these should be considered as an alternative to maximize your protection.
Call (850) 424-6979 or visit www.getabora.com to review your policy before the next storm blows in.
Stay ready. Stay protected. We’re here each year to help you do just that.
Abora Insurance has served Destin, Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, Miramar Beach, Freeport, Santa Rosa Beach (30A) and Inlet Beach for over a decade. They work with top-rated carriers to tailor coverage for home, auto and life insurance.
