Florida Hurricane Deductible Explained
Most Florida homeowners policies have two deductibles: a regular one for ordinary claims and a separate hurricane deductible that is usually a percentage of your dwelling coverage.
How the percentage works
Instead of a flat amount, the hurricane deductible is calculated from your dwelling coverage (Coverage A). Under Florida law, insurers must offer a hurricane deductible of $500, 2%, 5%, or 10% of dwelling coverage (higher-value homes may see slightly different options, such as 3%). Lower deductibles generally cost more in premium.
| Dwelling coverage | 2% | 5% | 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $5,000 | $12,500 | $25,000 |
| $400,000 | $8,000 | $20,000 | $40,000 |
| $600,000 | $12,000 | $30,000 | $60,000 |
Try your own numbers in the hurricane deductible calculator.
An example
A home has $400,000 in dwelling coverage and a 5% hurricane deductible, so the deductible is $20,000. A storm causes $60,000 of covered damage. The homeowner pays the first $20,000 and the insurer pays the remaining $40,000, subject to the policy's other terms.
When it applies
The hurricane deductible applies to hurricane losses as defined in your policy. According to the Florida Department of Financial Services, the hurricane deductible period begins when the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for any part of Florida and ends 72 hours after the last hurricane watch or warning for Florida is terminated. Read your own policy language, since details matter.
The hurricane deductible applies once per calendar year to all covered hurricane losses with the same insurer (or its group). If a second hurricane causes damage in the same year, the deductible is the greater of any unmet balance from the first or your policy's regular all-other-perils deductible. If you switch to an unrelated insurer mid-year, the full hurricane deductible can apply again, so confirm the details with your agent.
Choosing a level
- Lower deductible, higher premium. Predictable costs after a storm, but you pay more every year.
- Higher deductible, lower premium. Saves money each year, but you need enough cash to cover it when a storm hits.
- Be honest about your cash. A 10% deductible that you cannot fund can delay repairs.
Questions to ask your agent
- What exactly triggers the hurricane deductible?
- Does it apply to wind only, or also to water damage from the storm?
- How much would my premium drop going from 2% to 5%?
- Is there a flat-dollar option, and what does it cost?
Keep reading
- Why Is Homeowners Insurance So Expensive in Florida?What drives premiums and 8 practical ways to lower yours.
- Florida Flood Insurance BasicsWhat it covers, the waiting period, and why homeowners insurance does not.
- Wind Mitigation & Four-Point InspectionsTwo inspections that can lower your premium or help you get covered.
- How Citizens Property Insurance WorksFlorida's insurer of last resort: who qualifies and what to know.