Best Homeowners Insurance In Florida – A Guide To Choosing The Best Homeowners Insurance
There are many aspects we need to keep in mind before choosing a homeowners insurance policy, including how affordable it is. This article would help you make a better decision when choosing the best homeowners insurance in Florida.
We are living in a time when inflation is the highest it’s ever been. Buying a house seems like an impossible feat to achieve. Some of us spend our entire lives saving money, gathering finances, dreaming about the dream location, and spending a large amount of time settling for the best one. In such a scenario, securing your investment with Homeowners Insurance in Florida becomes crucial to protect your dream home from unexpected risks and ensure peace of mind.
Whether you’re buying a new home or you’ve already paid off the mortgage, you may have wondered about the value of home insurance. Although homeowners insurance is not made compulsory by law yet, if you have a mortgage, your lender might ask you to have insurance to safeguard your house. And if you are living in a state like Florida where disaster can strike at any moment you would need a good amount of homeowner insurance.
Homeowners insurance covers the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home as well as replacing its contents if they are damaged by a specified risk such as fire, theft, or a weather disaster such as wind or lightning. If you are unfamiliar with homeowners insurance and its policies, you may find yourself paying more than you should for insufficient coverage.
Even though performing research on homeowner insurance might seem like a dull job but we guarantee you that choosing the best would benefit you in the long run. So follow this article so that you can know all about the best homeowner insurance in Florida and make a better decision for the future of you and your family.
What is homeowners insurance?
Homeowners’ insurance is a specific kind of property insurance. This insurance covers damage or loss by theft and against any sort of danger, which can include fire, and storm damage, and when you are living in Florida hurricanes can never be ruled out.
Homeowners’ insurance also may insure the owner for incidental injury or death for which the owner may be legally responsible. Your homeowner’s insurance policy may also cover living expenses above your normal cost of living if a covered loss forces you to stay elsewhere while your home is being repaired or rebuilt. Mortgage lenders usually require homeowners’ insurance as part of the mortgage terms.
Wreckage or dismemberment from floods, earthquakes, and poor home maintenance is generally not covered by homeowners insurance and you may require separate riders if you want that type of protection. A rider allows you to pay extra to broaden your standard coverage. Free Standing garages, sheds, or other structures on the property may also need to be covered separately using the same guidelines as for the main house.
Clothing, furniture, appliances, and most of the other objects in your home are covered if they’re destroyed in an insured disaster. You can even get “off-premises” coverage, so you could file a claim for a lost wallet, say, no matter where in the world you lost it.
There may be a limit on the amount your insurer will compensate you, however. According to the Insurance Information Institute, most insurance companies will provide coverage for about 50% to 70% of the amount of insurance you have on the structure of your home. For example, if your house is insured for $200,000, there would be up to about $140,000 worth of coverage for your possessions.
Is homeowners insurance mandatory?
Like car insurance which is a compulsion, home insurance isn’t obligated by law. However, if you are underwriting your home, mortgage lenders have quite an interest in it. They will typically require you to have a homeowners insurance policy in place before going for a mortgage. Even if you paid off your mortgage.
Your home is possibly one of your most valuable possessions and you will want to protect it. Because homeowners insurance not only protects your home and property but may also cover you if someone sues you for accidental injuries, you should consider it a must-have.
Even though home insurance isn’t legally required, it may still be in your best interest to purchase a policy. Homeowners insurance comes with a lot of perks and benefits, including coverage for several unexpected perils that could occur on your property. Such benefits are extremely useful for situations where you may find yourself in hot waters.
What type of coverage does homeowner insurance provide?
A basic type of homeowners insurance policy covers four different areas of coverage. Encompassing the structure, personal belonging, liability protection, and some additional living expenses in case you lose everything during a disaster.
Coverage for the structure of the home
This area of the insurance policy pays to repair or rebuild a home if it is damaged or destroyed by fire, hurricane, hail, lightning, or other disaster listed in the insurance policy provided. It will not pay for damage caused by a flood, earthquake, or routine wear and tear. Usually, most of the policies also cover structures that are not attached to a house such as a garage, tool shed, or an arbor.
Coverage for personal belongings
Your household belongings like furniture, clothes, sports equipment, and other personal items are covered if they are stolen or destroyed by fire, a hurricane, or another insured disaster. You can even claim that something like a piece of jewelry is missing and they can compensate you for it even if you lost it somewhere else.
Most companies provide coverage for 50 to 70 percent of the amount of insurance on the structure of a home. This part of the policy includes off-premises coverage. This means that belongings are covered anywhere in the world unless the insurance holder has decided against coverage of items, not on the premises.
Expensive items like jewelry, ornaments, vintage decorations, and silverware are covered, but there are usually certain cash limits if they are stolen. To insure these items to their full value, individuals can purchase a special personal property endorsement or floater and insure the item for its estimated value.
Trees, plants, and house plants are also covered under standard homeowners insurance generally up to about $500 per item. Certain dangerous situations that are covered are theft, fire, lightning, explosion, vandalism, riot, and even a falling aircraft. Your homeowners’ insurance would not cover damage caused by wind or disease.
Liability protection
Liability covers lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that insurance holders or family members cause to other people. It also pays for damage caused by your pets. The liability portion of the policy pays for both the cost of defending the insurance holder in court and any court award up to the limit of the insurance policy.
Insurance coverage is not just in the home but applies to you anywhere in the world. Liability limits generally start at about $100,000. A financial support or excess liability policy, which provides extended coverage, including claims for libel and slander, as well as higher liability limits, can be added to the policy.
Additional living expenses
This pays the additional costs of living away from home if a house is inhabitable due to damage from a fire, storm, or another insured disaster. It covers hotel bills, restaurant meals, and other living expenses sustained while the home is being reconstructed. Coverage for additional living expenses is different from company to company.
How does home insurance provide coverage?
Actual cash value and replacement cost
According to this policy, you would be reimbursed for the loss or damage to your home in the form of payment but it would deduct the devaluation cost. Replacement costs will be paid for the reconstruction or the fixing up of your house without a deduction of the devaluation cost.
Guaranteed/ extended replacement cost
This policy offers the highest level of protection. A guaranteed replacement cost policy pays whatever it costs to rebuild the home as it was before the fire or other disaster even if it exceeds the policy limit. This gives protection against sudden increases in construction costs due to a shortage of building materials after a widespread disaster or other unexpected situations.
It generally won’t cover the cost of upgrading the house to follow the current building codes. However, approval of(or an addition to) the policy called Ordinance or Law can help pay for these additional costs.
Some advisors feel all homeowners should buy guaranteed replacement value policies because you don’t need just enough insurance to cover the value of your home, you need enough insurance to rebuild your home, preferably at current prices which probably will have risen since you purchased or built and given the current state of inflation and how difficult it is becoming to reside in the state of Florida it’s quite necessary.
Best homeowners insurance in Florida
By going over the basics of homeowners insurance we have developed an idea of what homeowner insurance is and what to expect from it. We’ll mention some of the best homeowners insurance in Florida so that you can assess for yourself what type suits your personal needs the best.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Florida is $1,648 with $250,000 in accommodation coverage, compared to the national average of $1,383 per year. Homeowners’ insurance rates differ based on your location, square footage, and other factors.
However, with a prediction that the year 2022 will have a worse-than-average hurricane season, carriers exiting the state, and fraudulent lawsuits running rampant, rates could increase and homeowners could have a harder time finding coverage.
Houses in Florida including any sort of condos etc have a higher risk for damage due to the state’s risks from tropical cyclones and other severe weather circumstances, so you may want to ensure your insurance coverage fits your needs.
When looking for home insurance, Florida residents may want to work with local insurance representatives for guidance. Some areas of the state present a particularly high risk of weather-related dangers, which means that a local company representative may need to be involved in the estimation and application process. We analyzed the best homeowners insurance companies in Florida based on reviews of homeowners in Florida.
- Statefarm
- Chubb
- Tower Hill
- Allstate
- Kin
Statefarm
State Farm can be a pretty good option for homeowners insurance. They have a convenient online service with a fully equipped website. You can customize your policy by selecting from their menu of add-on coverages. It also offers other insurance products that may qualify you for a bundling discount if you combine them with your homeowner’s policy.
State Farm is one of the largest U.S. home insurers based on market share and has local exclusive agents in more than 100 communities throughout Florida, which might be attractive to you if you like handling your insurance needs in person.
Although the company’s average installment is already lower than Florida’s average, State Farm offers several ways to save on your home insurance. For example, if you take extra measurements by installing impact-resistant roofing materials, and accommodations in your house that prevent weather disasters you may qualify for a discount.
Insurance holders can take advantage of State Farm’s online tools allowing better (and easier) account management, as they can avoid the hassle of going in person to the company. When it comes to filing claims, State Farm is always sure to deliver on its financial obligations. That is why it has a high ranking in our article.
Pros
- Excellent financial stability rating is given by its users
- Many discounts and add-on coverages are available
- Multiple online tools for policyholders
- Several bundling options for homeowners policyholders
Cons
- Cheaper options are available
- Customer satisfaction rating is lower compared to other criteria
- Fewer discounts than many competitors
Chubb
Chubb targets wealthy homeowners with an extensive suite of coverage and various useful perks. Although consumers may pay slightly more than average, Chubb home insurance policies have some good standards with high-end features that many other companies charge extra for. Chubb’s very low number of complaints relative to its size and a wide mixture of coverage make it one of the top homeowner’s insurance policies available.
Chubb in addition may be a smart choice for Florida homeowners with very expensive homes. A few of its policy highlights include extended replacement cost coverage to rebuild your home or a cash settlement option if you decide not to rebuild after a covered loss.
Chubb offers various extras included in its policies, which could benefit homeowners, such as tree removal and home examination. Although its coverage comes at a very hefty and above-average price tag, Chubb offers some of the strongest protection in the state.
Pros
- It has various coverage options
- Chubb’s coverage can be customized to the expensive homes
- It has significantly fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
- Standard coverage includes features that many companies offer as extras.
- Chubb offers a large number of discounts.
Cons
- Higher average premiums
- A lower rating
- Tends to be more expensive than other insurers.
- Most consumers aren’t able to get a quote online and will instead need to contact a local agent.
Tower Hill Insurance
Founded in Gainesville, Florida, Tower Hill understands the unique challenges of Florida’s home insurance market. Now covering 17 states, this insurer offers high-quality policies and choices for high-value homes through its Prime Plus and Spire programs.
Homeowners can choose from numerous endorsements to customize their coverage, including screened enclosure coverage, essential for Florida’s screened porches and patios during natural disasters.
Tower Hill’s main drawback is the lack of online buying options. This makes it hard for insurance shoppers to purchase a policy without an agent. Despite the fast-paced digital age, they still require agent meetings.
Tower Hill is a secure option among Florida home insurers. Its affordable rates and solid financial standings make it appealing for Florida homeowners. However, the limited online capabilities make purchasing coverage more cumbersome compared to competitors who offer complete online buying.
Buyers almost always need an agent or broker for quotes or policy purchases. Tower Hill’s coverage options are broad, meeting most insurance needs.
Beyond typical home insurance, Tower Hill offers supplemental policies like flood insurance and higher coverage levels for expensive homes. They also have specialized coverage for renters, landlords, and owners of condos and mobile homes. However, they don’t provide auto insurance, so bundling options are unavailable.
Tower Hill’s rates are generally cheaper than other Florida home insurers. The company receives slightly better-than-average customer service reviews. The most common complaints involve the claims department, particularly unsatisfactory settlement amounts and claim denials.
Pros
- Florida-based company
- Options for expensive homes
- Numerous endorsements available
Cons
- No online shopping feature
- No home and car insurance bundles
Allstate
Allstate is one of our high-ranking recommendations for home insurance in Florida, scoring high for its customer service, coverage, and discounts that the company offers.
It was founded in 1931, Allstate has made a name for itself as one of the nation’s leading insurers across several markets, including home and renters insurance. Insurance holders can benefit from 24/7 customer service through local insurance representatives and a highly fictional and useful online portal for claims and policy management.
In addition to basic dwelling, personal property, liability, and guest medical protection, Allstate offers endorsements such as a green-home improvement discount for environmental updates to your home.
Allstate offers Florida home insurance through its Castle Key Insurance Company subsidiary. The insurance company offers various discounts, such as savings for being a new home buyer or having a good payment history. With individually dedicated and independent agents in nearly 200 cities throughout the Sunshine State of Florida,
An Allstate agent close to you may likely be able to help you with your Florida home insurance needs. Allstate agents may also be able to help you work with an insurance broker if they cannot write your policy themselves.
Pros
- Low average premium
- Local agents available
- Numerous discounts
Cons
- Coverage is not as customizable as some companies’ plans are
- Sometimes quotes higher rates than online-only competitors
Kin
Kin offers homeowners insurance in Florida and Louisiana, these states are known for significant impacts from natural disasters. It uses a unique endorsement formula to provide a rate for its insurance policies compared to traditional insurers, using local market values, property records, and satellite imagery to evaluate value and risk.
The company’s merit of coverage is specifically designed to protect homeowners from expensive repair costs associated with numerous dangerous situations, including windstorms, fires, smoke, lightning strikes, hail, explosion, theft, and vandalism. Flood and sinkhole coverage can be purchased separately as endorsements.
Kin’s number one value standpoint for homeowners is a high level of convenience. All that’s required to get an estimate from Kin is your physical address, minimal personal information, and the answers to a handful of questions. Other insurance companies often require you to answer a lot of additional questions before delivering you an estimate.
Above all the other convenient facilities Kin makes it easier for you to understand its policies so you don’t have to go through the hassle of going back and forth with the customer representative.
If you do need personalized assistance from an agent, Kin Insurance offers that through phone or with the chat function on their website. While many insurance customers experience long wait times on the phone with all other insurance companies, Kin’s use of the chat platform makes the process faster and less hectic such facilities make it one of the best homeowners insurance in Florida.
Pros
- Convenient customer service
- Unique tech-forward claims tools
- Various discounts
Cons
- Few third-party scores
- It has no mobile app
How can you find the best homeowners insurance in Florida?
Florida is a very difficult home insurance market. Comprehending this before you begin asking for quotes may help you set a realistic supposition. If you live in a coastal area, you may have more home insurance options, but if you live in a higher-risk area, especially near the coast, and you are looking for insurance may be more difficult. These tips could help you settle for better coverage in the Sunshine State:
- When shopping for home insurance in Florida, you will most probably want to give yourself plenty of time to secure good coverage. You may need more time to find a homeowners insurance company that fits your needs due to the nature of the market in Florida.
- Although insurance coverage in higher-risk areas may be restricted, asking if your preferred insurance provider writes homeowners policies in your ZIP code can’t do any harm.
- Local insurance representatives are likely to have experience insuring homes in higher-risk areas, near the shore.
- An insurance agent works for you, not an insurance company. If you are not sure where to turn to get coverage in a higher-risk area, an agent could help you navigate the complex market.
Conclusion
Florida’s home insurance market faced significant instability in 2022. Despite new insurance reform bills passed in late May, the market remains shaky. Insurers struggle to stay solvent in a state with high risks of severe damage and costly litigation.
In these uncertain times, thorough research is crucial for finding the right insurance company for your needs. Compare multiple insurers before making a decision. Conduct diligent research and scrutinize your options carefully to ensure you choose the best coverage for you and your family.