Florida Property Insurance Key Terms

Learn Florida property insurance key terms before you move to the Sunshine State

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.

 

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

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