Owning a home in Florida means living in a beautiful state with its own unique risks—hurricanes, flooding, and tropical storms being just a few. Because of this, homeowners insurance is an absolute necessity. However, many Florida homeowners are left asking, “What exactly does my homeowners insurance cover?”
Understanding your policy is essential to ensure you’re fully protected from unexpected events. In this guide, we’ll cover the standard coverages included in Florida homeowners insurance policies, what’s typically excluded, and the additional policies you may need to protect your home and finances.
What Does Standard Homeowners Insurance Cover in Florida?
1. Dwelling Coverage
Dwelling coverage is the core of your homeowners insurance policy. It protects the structure of your home, including walls, roof, and foundation, from damage caused by covered perils.
Covered Perils May Include:
Hurricanes and windstorms (but subject to higher deductibles).
Fire and smoke damage.
Lightning strikes.
Hail.
Falling objects, like trees or branches.
Explosions.
Damage from vehicles or aircraft.
What’s Not Covered?
Flood Damage: Flooding is excluded from standard homeowners insurance policies and requires a separate flood insurance policy (more on this below).
Earthquake Damage: Earthquake coverage is not standard but can be added as an endorsement.
Wear and Tear: Damage caused by neglect or aging materials is not covered.
2. Other Structures Coverage
This covers detached structures on your property, such as:
Garages.
Sheds.
Fences.
Gazebos.
Like dwelling coverage, this protection applies to damage from covered perils.
3. Personal Property Coverage
This protects your belongings, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing, if they are damaged, destroyed, or stolen.
Examples of Covered Scenarios:
A hurricane damages your roof, and rain destroys your furniture.
A fire destroys your home and your belongings.
A theft results in stolen valuables, even if the theft occurs outside your home (e.g., luggage stolen while traveling).
What’s Not Covered?
High-value items like jewelry, fine art, and collectibles may have limited coverage under a standard policy. To fully protect these items, you’ll need to purchase a rider or endorsement for additional coverage.
4. Loss of Use Coverage
If your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered peril, this coverage helps pay for additional living expenses, such as:
Hotel stays.
Restaurant bills.
Temporary rentals.
This coverage ensures you can maintain your standard of living while your home is being repaired.
5. Liability Coverage
Liability coverage protects you if someone is injured on your property and you are found legally responsible. It also covers damage caused by you, your family members, or even your pets.
Examples:
A guest slips and falls on your property, and you’re sued for medical expenses.
Your dog bites a neighbor, resulting in a lawsuit.
You accidentally damage someone else’s property (e.g., a tree in your yard falls and damages your neighbor’s shed).
6. Medical Payments Coverage
This coverage helps pay for minor medical expenses if someone is injured on your property, regardless of who is at fault.
What’s Not Covered by Standard Homeowners Insurance?
While homeowners insurance provides broad protection, there are key exclusions and limitations you should be aware of:
1. Flood Damage
Flooding caused by heavy rains, hurricanes, or rising waters is not covered by standard policies. Florida homeowners in flood-prone areas should purchase a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer.
2. Earthquake Damage
Earthquakes and ground movement are not covered. Optional earthquake insurance is available if you feel your home is at risk.
3. Sinkhole Damage
Florida is known for sinkholes, but standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover them unless you purchase sinkhole coverage as an add-on. However, catastrophic ground collapse may be covered under specific conditions.
4. Sewer Backup
Water damage caused by sewer or drain backups is not included unless you add a sewer backup endorsement to your policy.
5. Maintenance Issues
Damage caused by wear and tear, neglect, or pest infestations (e.g., termites) is considered the homeowner’s responsibility.
Additional Policies Florida Homeowners May Need
Given Florida’s unique climate and risks, standard homeowners insurance may not provide enough protection. Here are additional policies to consider:
1. Flood Insurance
Flooding is a common issue in Florida, especially during hurricane season. A separate flood insurance policy is essential if you live in a flood-prone area.
2. Hurricane Deductible
While windstorm damage is covered, Florida policies include a hurricane deductible, which is typically higher than your standard deductible. Make sure you understand this provision in your policy.
3. Sinkhole Insurance
Sinkholes are a serious concern in Florida. Adding sinkhole coverage to your policy can protect your home from damage caused by ground collapse.
4. Umbrella Insurance
If you have significant assets, an umbrella insurance policy provides additional liability coverage beyond the limits of your standard homeowners insurance.
5. Scheduled Personal Property Endorsements
To fully protect high-value items like jewelry, fine art, or collectibles, you can purchase additional coverage for these items.
Tips for Florida Homeowners
Review Your Policy Regularly: Ensure you understand your coverage limits, exclusions, and deductibles, especially for hurricane and flood risks.
Upgrade Coverage When Needed: Add endorsements or purchase additional policies if you feel your standard policy doesn’t provide enough protection.
Document Your Belongings: Keep an inventory of your personal property with photos and receipts. This will make filing a claim much easier.
Maintain Your Home: Regular maintenance can prevent many issues, such as leaks or termite damage, that aren’t covered by insurance.
Work with a Public Adjuster: If you have a claim denied or underpaid, a public adjuster can help you negotiate with your insurance company to get the payout you deserve.
FAQs About Home Insurance and Foundation Issues
1. Does homeowners insurance cover roof replacement in Florida? Yes, if the damage is caused by a covered peril like a hurricane or windstorm. However, wear and tear or age-related damage is excluded.
2. Do I need flood insurance in Florida? If you live in a flood-prone area, flood insurance is highly recommended, as standard policies do not cover flood damage.
3. What is a hurricane deductible? A hurricane deductible is a separate, higher deductible that applies specifically to windstorm damage caused by named storms.
4. Can I get coverage for sinkhole damage? Yes, but you’ll need to purchase a sinkhole endorsement, as standard policies only cover catastrophic ground collapse.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your homeowners insurance policy is key to ensuring you’re fully protected against Florida’s unique risks. While standard policies offer valuable coverage, they don’t cover everything. Flood insurance, sinkhole coverage, and other add-ons may be necessary for complete peace of mind.
If you’re unsure about your policy or need help filing a claim, Base Claims Public Adjusters is here to assist. We specialize in helping Florida homeowners navigate insurance policies and fight for the compensation they deserve.
Contact Base Claims today for a free consultation, and let us help you get your claim approved!
Don’t let your insurance company shortchange you. Contact Base Claims today for a free consultation and virtual damage evaluation. We’re here to help you navigate the process and fight back the right way.
Remember, when it comes to hurricane claims, the right public adjuster with a 5-star rating on Google and an A+ BBB rating like Base Claims can make all the difference!
Let's connect and see how we can help you navigate your claims effectively. Contact us today for a consultation regarding your New, Denied, or Underpaid Claim and maximize your compensation.
Benjamin Licht 954-589-8710
Office 954-466-5730
Don’t wait until it’s too late.
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