A study of Florida property insurance basics should cover liability insurance against injuries or property damage caused by family members or household pets. Property insurance also covers temporary living expenses incurred while living away from home due to a natural disaster.

Florida property insurance companies provide protection against fire, hail and lightning in addition to other natural disasters that are specified in the policy. However, you will need a separate policy for earthquakes and floods which are normally not covered by a standard home insurance policy. Florida home insurance rates will not cover losses caused by poor maintenance.

There are three key points that will affect the cost of property insurance in FL:

1. The location of the property may require additional home insurance. Florida properties should also be protected against hurricanes.

2. The premium charged by FL property insurance companies can be lowered with effective loss-control measures. This most commonly refers to an alarm system.

3. Home insurance should allow you replace detached structures in addition to rebuilding your house. These structures are typically covered up to a fixed percentage of the value of the house.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Collect quotes for a variety of Florida homeowners insurance

Obtaining multiple quotes from different sources can be an effective method of identifying the general terms of these policies and the premiums you can expect to pay.

I recommend: Arden Insurance provides insurance for construction projects, homeowners and small businesses in South Florida. Poe & Associates is based in Tampa and specializes in homeowners insurance.

Find property insurance in Florida

Locate a Florida property insurance company through an agency. The agency represents a major carrier in the state and who can make a recommendation based on the specific needs of your situation.

I recommend: Agrillo Insurance provides a range of insurance products including property insurance for clients throughout South Florida. Sol Insurance helps clients throughout Florida find the lowest insurance rates for homeowners.

Get a Florida home owners insurance policy from a local agent

Contact Florida property insurance companies rather than dealing with different national insurers. Often, a local agent can write a more customized plan for you. This method allows you greater flexibility and control over your home insurance needs.

I recommend: Florida Farm Bureau Insurance is based in Gainsville and offers insurance to homeowners as well as farm and ranch property owners. Lykes Insurance is located in downtown Tampa and provides a range of products including property insurance.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Florida property insurance will cover the contents of your house up to a specified percentage of the value of your home. You should conduct a home inventory to determine if replacement cost for the contents of your home exceeds this value. If you have a substantial amount of number of belongings outside of your home, you should consider off-premises coverage.

The hurricanes in Florida not only rocked the residents while they were enduring them, but they have had a devastating affect on Florida property insurance prices and features. Not as much is covered, and Florida homeowners insurance costs have skyrocketed.

You must insure your home in case of fire, theft and, of course, hurricanes. The options for Florida residents who want to purchase Florida property insurance are:

1. Get full service Florida property insurance.

2. Choose the options that really matter to you for your Florida home insurance.

3. Select "State of Florida" homeowners insurance companies.

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Choose Florida property insurance companies who offer 'everything'

You can get Florida property insurance with the works if you have the money to pay the premiums. Features, such as deductible and replacing cost on contents, once taken for granted are now costly premium extras.

I recommend: Choose Florida Family Insurance for your Florida property insurances needs. This Florida property insurance company will pile on the extras, such as replacement cost on contents, but each extra increases the premium. Included in the base rate of Florida home insurance are other structures, additional living expenses, personal or legal liability and medical payments.
In Florida, as in any state if you have a lien holder on your property you must have home owners insurance.

Take a close look at the options for your Florida Home Insurance

Basic Florida homeowners insurance is what the law and your lien holder require. However, you may choose to have a lower deductible, extra contents replacement cost insurance protection, or various other Florida property insurance extras that cost you more.

I recommend: Know what to exclude from your Florida property insurance to save money on your policy. HAC Florida, INC provides information on what options decrease your Florida property insurance policy. Get multiple quotes on Florida property insurance from Insurance.com. Include the features you want in your Florida Home insurance. Also, ask them to give you the options for different deductibles to obtain the lowest rate possible.

Select the state of Fl property insurance companies

Florida mandated Fl property insurance be obtainable and reasonable for its citizens.

I recommend: Citizens Property Insurance Corporation works with the State of Florida to provide reasonable property insurance rates for Florida homeowners. The State of Florida regulates the rates, but they may not have all of the extra provisions you expect. Get full disclosure before buying this Florida property insurance to make sure you have the insurance coverage that is right for you. The Governor's Office of Policy and Budget has complied frequently asked questions concerning Citizens Property Insurance.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before choosing any Fl property insurance company, check their credentials. Even big names like State Farm and Allstate have pulled out of some Florida markets. Make sure the Florida property insurance companies you choose will be there to replace your home if the worst happens.

Provide financial protection for your home and most of your belongings in the event of a disaster by using Florida property insurance. A property insurance policy will typically include liability insurance which covers damage or injuries caused by family members and pets. Florida property insurance typically covers the contents of your house up to a specified percentage.

Florida property insurance companies also cover most natural disasters like fire, hail and lightning; however, property owners must purchase a separate policy to cover floods. Other insurance may be dictated by geography. For example, home insurance in Florida should also include coverage for hurricanes. Property insurance may also cover temporary living expenses when you have to live away from home during a natural disaster but will not cover losses caused by poor maintenance.

Three are three additional types of property insurance in FL for business owners:

1. Business interruption insurance that covers expenses such as debts, loss of profit, salaries and taxes.

2. Extra-expense insurance that will allow a business to relocate temporarily during a covered peril.

3. Theft insurance. A standard FL property insurance policy will provide some coverage against theft but businesses at high risk for theft may require a separate policy.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find Florida home insurance companies through a referral service or agent system

Determine the price range for your needed coverage by soliciting quotes from different sources. You can also obtain a general idea of the terms that these policies contain.

I recommend: The Florida Market Assistance Plan is a free referral service for consumers seeking property insurance in Florida. Florida Family Insurance distributes property insurance through Florida's Independent Agent system.

Choose one of the many Florida property insurance brokers

A broker will handle much of the paperwork required by an insurance carrier. Independent agents that provide Florida homeowners insurance may represent a major carrier in the state and can make recommendations based on your specific needs.

I recommend: Home in Jacksonville maintains a list of insurance brokers in the Jacksonville area. Noel Insurance Brokers is an independent agency that is able to negotiate pricing on your current coverage.

Get a Florida home owners insurance policy from a local agent

You may wish to contact local independent Florida home insurance providers rather than dealing with different national insurers. Often, a local agent can write a more customized plan for you.

I recommend: Insurance Benefit Agency is located in Hallandale and specializes in homeowners insurance. Atlass Insurance Group is located in Ft. Lauderdale and provides comprehensive insurance solutions for businesses and individuals.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Expensive items like furs, jewelry and silverware are typically only covered up to a fixed amount by Florida property insurance. A special property endorsement will be needed to replace these items if their value is not covered by the primary policy. These items will be covered if they are lost or stolen.

What with beaches, sunshine, and palm trees, Florida is a very popular place to live. It is also, however, a tricky place to live when it comes to getting property insurance. In addition to sunshine and beaches, Florida features tropical downpours and hurricanes. If you're considering moving to the area for business or pleasure, it behooves you to take some time to learn about some Florida property insurance key terms so that you can evaluate your options wisely. Learn the following terms and you're well on your way to becoming conversant in Florida property insurance.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Florida Market Assistance Plan

The Florida Market Assistance Plan (FMAP), a free referral service that matches consumers who can't find property insurance with insurers, was created by the state in 1985.

I recommend: Learn more about the Florida Market Assistance Plan at its website.

Florida Public Interest Research Group

The Florida Public Interest Research Group, or Florida PIRG, lobbies on behalf of Florida's citizens in several areas, including property insurance reform.

I recommend: Find out more about the Florida Public Interest Research Group's efforts regarding property insurance reform at the group's website.

Florida Property & Casualty Insurance Reform Committee

The Governor's Office of Policy and Budget formed the Property & Casualty Insurance Reform Committee to grapple with Florida's rapidly rising property insurance prices.

I recommend: Check out the Florida Property & Casualty Insurance Reform Committee's FAQ for a thumbnail of their activities.

Hurricane or storm season

The hurricane season in Florida lasts from June 1 to November 30. It is during this time that the most devastating storms and hurricanes occur in Florida and the Caribbean.

I recommend: Learn more about Florida's hurricane season at Flhurricane.com.

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation

Florida formed the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to help homeowners in high-risk areas obtain property insurance. An insurer of last resort, it primarily insures people along the coast who are unable to get insurance elsewhere.

I recommend: Go to Citizens Property Insurance Corporation's website for more information about getting insurance in high-risk areas along Florida's beautiful, but sometimes dangerous, coasts.

Windstorm or wind only policies

As the name implies, windstorm policies (or hurricane or wind only policies) cover only property damage caused by wind in wind-related events such as hurricanes and tropical storms.

I recommend: Wind Florida has information about wind mitigation inspections that can lower the cost of windstorm property insurance policies.