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Florida Home Insurance

Florida has endless beautiful places to call home, from beach cities to countryside retreats. The right home insurance policy will help protect your property and belongings from unexpected events, so you can fully enjoy everything Florida has to offer.

Is home insurance required in Florida?

Florida law doesn’t require homeowners to have insurance on their property, but if you finance your home through a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to have homeowners insurance. Even if you own your home outright without a mortgage, it’s still highly advisable to be insured. Home insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all product. It should be tailored to your specific situation and needs.

Typical Florida homeowners insurance coverages

  • Coverage A – Dwelling:

    Coverage for your home and attached structures for damage caused by events such as fire, lightning, wind or hail.

  • Coverage B – Other structures:

    This covers damage to other structures on the property that are set apart from the dwelling, such as a fence, shed or detached garage.

  • Coverage C – Personal property:

    Coverage for your belongings, such as furniture, clothing and electronics, if they’re damaged by a peril listed in your policy.

  • Coverage D – Loss of use:

    This covers your temporary living expenses when a covered loss makes your home unfit to live in.

  • Coverage E – Personal liability:

    This covers damage or injury to another person on their property that you’re responsible for causing. It also covers legal assistance for claims made against you.

  • Coverage F – Medical payments to others:

    This coverage can pay for medical bills for people who are accidentally hurt on your property, not including members of your household.

Remember, each of these coverages is subject to a policy limit, deductible and exclusions, which are specified within your policy.

Your homeowners insurance won’t cover flood damages, so it helps to ensure you’re properly covered if there’s a flood. Flood insurance policies are available and are written through the federally backed National Flood Insurance Program. It’s common for mortgage companies to require flood insurance if your home is within or near a floodplain. Regardless, a flood can occur anywhere, and it’s a good idea to buy this additional coverage.

Additional coverages in Florida

You may find that the general coverages afforded in a basic homeowners policy don’t cover certain losses or types of property. Amica offers home insurance options in the form of policy endorsements that can fill in some of those gaps in coverage. Adding endorsements to your Florida homeowners insurance policy can provide valuable additional coverage tailored to your specific needs. Here are a few endorsements you might consider:

  • Special computer coverage:

    Additional protection beyond what’s included in your policy for devices against direct physical loss, like accidental damage or theft. Devices covered under special computer coverage include:

    • Desktops
    • Laptops
    • Smartphones
    • Gaming devices
    • Smart TVs

  • Identity fraud:

    Identity theft is a growing concern, and this endorsement can help cover expenses associated with restoring your identity, such as legal fees, lost wages and other related costs.

  • Water backup and sump overflow:

    Unexpected and accidental water damage, like from an appliance or burst pipe, is covered by most homeowners insurance policies. But, at the same time, they also exclude coverage for backed-up sewers and drains. This endorsement provides coverage for water that backs up through drains and sump pumps.

  • Scheduled personal property:

    If you have high-value items such as jewelry, fine art or collectibles, a basic homeowners policy may not provide sufficient coverage. With this endorsement, you can insure specific items to make sure they’re adequately covered against loss or damage.

  • Earthquakes:

    A standard Florida policy excludes damage caused by earth movement, including earthquakes. This endorsement would extend coverage to damage caused by an earthquake.

Key factors impacting Florida homeowners insurance rates

Living in a small town or a city can significantly influence your home insurance premiums. Population density, crime rates and environmental risks all play a role in determining insurance costs.

Your Florida home insurance policy should be tailored to your unique needs and circumstances, taking into consideration specifics like the type of dwelling, the value of your belongings and the level of coverage desired. Certain factors that impact home insurance rates may be beyond your control, such as repair costs or your proximity to a fire station. 

Regularly reviewing and updating your policy can ensure that you’re protected in a way that fits your current needs.

Maximize savings with Florida home insurance discounts

There are several ways Florida homeowners can save money on home insurance without compromising the quality of their coverage.1 We offer home insurance discounts for:

  • Alarm systems: Receive a discount when you insure a home with burglar alarms, sprinkler systems or fire alarms.
  • Automatic detection devices: Insure a Florida home with a temperature monitoring, water leak detection or gas leak detection system installed and receive a discount. 
  • New or remodeled homes: Receive a credit when you insure a new or remodeled home.
  • Claim-free: Receive a discount when you’ve had no claims in the past three years.

If these don’t apply to you, we also offer discounts for:

  • AutoPay: Receive a discount when you opt to pay your premium using automatic deductions. 
  • E-discount: Get a discount when you sign up to receive policy information and bills electronically.
  • Paid in full: Save money when you pay your Florida policy premium in full up front.

One of the best ways to conveniently manage all of your insurance needs and save money at the same time is to bundle your insurance coverages for home and auto with the same insurance company. In fact, Floridians who bundle home and auto insurance with Amica could save up to 20% with a multiline discount.1

Facts and figures about Florida

Common claims in South Florida:

Florida's unique geographical location creates favorable conditions for coastal storms. Homeowners insurance often includes coverage for damages caused by these events, but may be subject to certain limits and exclusions.

  • Weather-related claims: High winds from hurricanes and severe thunderstorms can result in significant roof and siding damage. Homeowners insurance usually covers structural damage caused by severe weather, including the costs to repair your home and replace belongings, up to your policy's specified limits.

The heavy rainfall may lead to flooding, particularly in low-lying areas; because of this, obtaining a separate flood insurance policy is often necessary to ensure protection for your home and belongings.

Fun facts about Florida:

  • Founded in 1565, St. Augustine, Florida, is recognized as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the U.S. It served as the territorial capital until the capital was relocated to Tallahassee in 1824.2 
  • Walt Disney World Resort is one of the most visited entertainment resort complexes globally, attracting over 50 million visitors annually.2 
  • In 1993, three professional sports teams were introduced to the state: the Florida Panthers hockey team, Miami Marlins baseball team and Jacksonville Jaguars football team.2

How to get home insurance in Florida

We’re here to guide you through the process of personalizing your homeowners insurance in Florida. Here’s how to secure your policy in three easy steps:

  1. Assess your coverage needs:

    An Amica representative can provide personalized guidance and help you navigate your options to find the right coverage for your needs.

  2. Discover potential discounts:

    A representative can also assist you in exploring potential discounts or cost-saving measures available to Florida homeowners based on your unique circumstances.

  3. Get a quote:

    Amica offers convenient options for getting a quote. You can either get a home insurance quote online or call 800-242-6422 today to speak with a representative.

With Amica, you can rest easy knowing your home is safeguarded against the unexpected, allowing you to focus on what matters most – enjoying life in beautiful Florida.

Get a home insurance quote

or call 833-513-3881

1 Discounts not available in all states and may vary.|
2 100 Fascinating Facts About Florida
 

Your Policy, Policy Declarations or Amended Declarations in effect on the date of loss is the primary source of reference for your coverage, coverage limits and deductible amounts.

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