Buying in Florida
Homeowners Insurance in Florida: What Buyers Should Know
Florida homeowners insurance averaged about $3,736 a year with wind coverage in the admitted market as of September 2026 (Office of Insurance Regulation), and rates have started to come down. Before you commit to a home, get a quote based on its roof age, a 4-point inspection if it is older, and a wind mitigation report. Standard policies don't cover flood, so price flood insurance too.
Kris Persaud · Watson Realty Corp. · 1390 N Hancock Rd, Clermont, FL 34711
2026 picture
What Insurance Costs Now
- Average premium, with wind
- $3,736OIR, admitted insurers, data as of Sept 2026
- New insurers since the 2022-23 reforms
- 21Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
- Citizens policies
- 266,231Citizens, Aug 31, 2026 (peak 1.41M in Oct 2023)
The market is calmer than it was in 2022 and 2023. The state approved new insurers, many companies have asked for rate cuts or no change, and Citizens Property Insurance, the state-backed insurer of last resort, lowered its 2026 homeowners rates by an average of 8.8%. Your own premium still depends on the home: its age, roof, construction, location and how well it is protected against wind.
Timing
Get a Quote Before You're Locked In
Ask early
As soon as you're serious about a home, ask the listing agent for the roof age, any 4-point or wind mitigation report the seller has, and whether the home has had flood claims.
Quote during the inspection period
Insurance can change your monthly payment more than a quarter point on the rate. Get a firm quote while you can still renegotiate or walk away.
Bind before closing
Your lender will want proof of coverage. When a storm threatens, insurers stop writing new policies until it passes, which can delay a closing, so don't leave this to the last week.
Florida Realtors' standard contracts offer an insurance addendum that lets a buyer set a maximum premium and cancel if coverage can't be found at that price.
The three things insurers ask
Roof Age, 4-Point and Wind Mitigation
Roof age
Florida law bars an insurer from refusing to write or renew a policy solely because of roof age if the roof is under 15 years old. For an older roof, an inspection showing at least 5 years of life left has the same effect (Fla. Stat. 627.7011). Citizens asks for a roof inspection on shingle roofs over 25 years and tile or metal roofs over 50.
4-point inspection
A licensed inspector reports the age and condition of the roof, electrical, plumbing and heating and air conditioning. Citizens requires one for homes more than 20 years old; other insurers set their own rules. It usually costs about $75 to $150.
Wind mitigation
Recorded on the state form OIR-B1-1802 (revised April 2026): roof covering, roof deck and roof-to-wall attachment, roof shape, secondary water barrier and opening protection. Florida law requires insurers to give discounts for these features, and a report is generally good for up to five years.
If the seller already has a recent wind mitigation report, ask for a copy. It can lower the quotes you get straight away. Homeowners with an older home can apply to My Safe Florida Home for a free inspection and, if eligible, a grant toward upgrades.
Read this line
Your Hurricane Deductible
Florida policies have a separate hurricane deductible, usually a percentage of the dwelling coverage rather than a flat amount. Insurers must offer 2%, 5% and 10% options, plus $500 on homes insured for under $250,000 (Fla. Stat. 627.701). It applies once per calendar year.
On a home insured for $400,000, a 2% deductible is $8,000 and a 5% deductible is $20,000. A higher deductible lowers the premium, so choose one you could actually pay after a storm.
Flood
Flood Insurance Is Separate
Standard homeowners policies don't cover flood. Inland Central Florida does flood: Hurricane Milton in October 2024 brought 6 to 11 inches of rain to Lake County, with significant street and low-lying flooding, and 4 to 8 inches to Orange County (National Weather Service, Melbourne).
- Waiting period: most National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies take 30 days to start, but there is no wait when the policy is bought with a new mortgage at closing.
- Limits: NFIP covers up to $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for contents on a single-family home. Private flood insurance is also sold in Florida.
- Transferable: a seller's NFIP policy can be transferred to the buyer, which can help if it was priced favorably. Ask about it.
- Citizens policyholders: Citizens requires flood insurance in high-risk zones now, and for every policy with wind coverage from January 1, 2027.
- Seller disclosure: Florida sellers must give buyers a flood disclosure at or before signing, saying whether they know of flooding that damaged the home, flood insurance claims or flood-related aid (Fla. Stat. 689.302).
Look up any address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center. A home outside a high-risk zone can still flood, and flood insurance there is often cheaper.
On every home
Questions Kris Will Help You Ask
- How old is the roof, and is there a permit record for it?
- Is there a current wind mitigation report or 4-point inspection?
- What flood zone is the home in, and has it ever had a flood claim?
- What does the current owner pay for insurance? (Useful for comparison, though your quote will differ.)
- Are there impact windows, shutters or other opening protection?
Insurance, property tax and HOA or CDD fees often decide whether a home fits your budget. Put all three in the mortgage calculator.
Made us feel like we were his only client.tispiz · Sold in Clermont · Zillow · 2024
Questions
Home insurance questions
How much is homeowners insurance in Florida?
The admitted-market average was about $3,736 a year with wind coverage as of September 2026 (Office of Insurance Regulation). Your quote depends on the home's age, roof, construction, location and wind protection.
Are Florida home insurance rates going down?
Many insurers have filed for decreases or no change in 2026, and Citizens cut its 2026 homeowners rates by an average of 8.8%. Individual quotes still vary widely.
Can an insurer refuse my home because of the roof's age?
Not solely for that reason if the roof is under 15 years old. For an older roof, an inspection showing at least 5 years of life left gives the same protection (Fla. Stat. 627.7011).
What is a 4-point inspection?
A report on the age and condition of the roof, electrical, plumbing and heating and air conditioning. Citizens requires one on homes more than 20 years old; other insurers set their own rules.
Do I need flood insurance in Clermont?
Lenders require it in high-risk flood zones, and Citizens will require it on all wind policies from January 2027. Outside those cases it is optional, but homeowners policies don't cover flood and inland flooding does happen.
Can I take over the seller's flood insurance?
Yes. An NFIP flood policy can be transferred to the buyer. Ask the seller early in the sale.
Keep reading
Related pages
Want help sizing up a home's insurance costs?
Call or text Kris directly on his cell, or send a message and he will get back to you.
Kris Persaud · Watson Realty Corp. · 1390 N Hancock Rd, Clermont, FL 34711