Owning a home in Florida comes with unique risks, including the possibility of hurricanes. Even if your home isn’t directly on the coast, you may experience property damage from extreme winds and flooding. It’s critical to review your insurance coverage to ensure that you have the proper protections in place if a hurricane occurs in your area.
What Is Hurricane Insurance?
Hurricane insurance is not a specific, standalone policy. Instead, “hurricane insurance” typically refers to a combination of insurance policies, such as flood insurance, windstorm insurance and homeowners insurance, that can help financially protect against the risks of hurricanes and related damages. 
What Insurance Do Homeowners in Florida Need to Prepare for Hurricanes?
The following are some common coverage options available for homeowners in areas that are susceptible to hurricanes:
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Homeowners insurance may help pay for damages to your home, other structures and personal property in accordance with your policy. Depending on where you live, you may be required to have a specific hurricane deductible that would apply to certain hurricane-related property damages.
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Flood insurance may help pay for flood-related damages after a hurricane. These are typically excluded from a standard homeowners policy, making flood coverage vital to protect against hurricanes.
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Windstorm insurance may help pay for damages related to high winds, often present during hurricanes.
Additionally, consider adding a sewer backup endorsement to your homeowners insurance policy, which may protect homes from losses caused by water or waterborne material discharge from a sewer, drain or sump.
How Does Hurricane Insurance Differ From Standard Homeowners Insurance?
Standard homeowners insurance offers broad coverage for various perils such as fire and theft but usually excludes protection against hurricane-related risks such as flooding and high winds. In contrast, hurricane insurance is a specialized policy that specifically covers damages caused by hurricanes and related perils, including storm surges and heavy rainfall. It often includes a separate “named storm deductible,” typically higher than the standard deductible, and provides “named peril” coverage, explicitly listing the covered risks. But it does not usually cover flood damage. To ensure comprehensive protection against hurricane-related risks, homeowners may need to combine standard homeowners insurance, flood insurance and hurricane insurance.
How to Get Hurricane Insurance in Florida
Contact Gene Smith Insurance to discuss your homeowners insurance needs. We can help make recommendations based on your specific property and location.
This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.