The short answer: Florida home insurance is still costly, but you have more power than you may think. If Citizens Property Insurance sends you an offer from a private company, read it before the deadline, because the law may decide for you. You can also lower your bill with a wind mitigation inspection, and the My Safe Florida Home program offers a free inspection and grants of up to $10,000 to eligible homeowners.
This guide explains general rules in plain language. It is not insurance or financial advice, and Florida Senior Support is not a law firm, financial advisor or insurance agency. For advice about your own situation, talk to a licensed professional.
Why Florida Home Insurance Costs So Much
Florida gets more hurricanes than most states, and storms cause huge losses. Insurance companies buy their own insurance, called reinsurance, to cover big storm bills. That cost gets passed on to you in your premium.
Lawsuits over claims also drove prices up. In 2020, Florida had 79 percent of all homeowner insurance lawsuits opened in the country. After a series of law changes, that share fell to 41 percent in 2025, according to the state's July 2026 Property Insurance Stability Report from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR).
The same report shows some relief. Average premiums fell in 51 counties from January to March 2026, and reinsurance prices are dropping for nearly half of the insurers in the state. But your cost still depends on where you live. The report lists average yearly premiums (with wind coverage) of about $2,191 in Marion County, $4,063 in Pinellas County and $6,323 in Palm Beach County. Your own bill will differ, so use these only as a rough guide.
If You Get a Citizens "Takeout" Letter
Citizens Property Insurance is the state-backed insurer for people who cannot find coverage elsewhere. To shrink Citizens, the state matches its policyholders with private companies approved by OIR. This is called depopulation. The offer letter is often called a "takeout" offer.
Citizens is much smaller now. As of March 31, 2026, it held about 2 percent of Florida homeowner policies, according to the OIR report above. If you are still a Citizens customer, here is how the rules work.
The 20 Percent Rule
Under Florida Statute 627.351, a Citizens policyholder who gets a takeout offer on a primary home can only stay if the private offer costs more than 20 percent above the Citizens renewal price for comparable coverage. If the offer is 20 percent higher or less, you are no longer eligible to stay with Citizens.
The short version: a cheaper or close-priced offer means you move. A much pricier offer means you may choose to stay. Citizens' own takeout offer page states that when an offer is within 20 percent, the option to stay is not available.
What You Need to Do
- Open the packet right away. It lists each offer, the estimated price, and your Citizens renewal estimate.
- Compare the coverage, not just the price. Look at the hurricane deductible, the dwelling limit and what is left out. Citizens provides worksheets to help.
- Register your choice by the date on your Offer Form. You can do this through your agent or online.
- Do not ignore it. Citizens says that if you do not respond, it assigns your policy to the company with the lowest estimated price. After that, the move is final. There is no 30-day window to go back.
- Call Citizens or your agent with questions. The Citizens Customer Care Center is 1-866-411-2742.
One difference to know about: Citizens policyholders can be charged extra assessments after a major hurricane. Citizens says private-market policyholders may face much lower assessment risk. Each offer is different, so your agent can help you compare them.
Scams exist around insurance changes. Only use the phone number and website on your official Citizens letter, or your own agent. Never pay someone who calls you out of the blue about your policy.
The Citizens Flood Insurance Rule
Standard home insurance does not cover flood damage. Citizens requires many of its customers to buy flood insurance from another source. The law phases this in by the dwelling's replacement cost, as shown on the Citizens flood page.
- January 1, 2024: $600,000 or more
- January 1, 2025: $500,000 or more
- January 1, 2026: $400,000 or more
- January 1, 2027: all other Citizens homeowner policies
Homes in a FEMA special flood hazard area must already have flood coverage, no matter the value. Condo unit-owner policies and policies without wind coverage do not have to buy it. Citizens says the flood policy must be at least equal to your Citizens dwelling coverage. If the federal program cannot offer that much, Citizens accepts the most it offers, which is $250,000 for the regular program.
The statute says Citizens can deny coverage to someone who refuses to carry flood insurance. If you are a Citizens customer, ask your agent now what applies to your renewal date. A flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) usually has a 30-day wait before it starts, according to FloodSmart, so do not wait until the last week.
Practical Ways to Lower Your Premium
1. Get a Wind Mitigation Inspection
A wind mitigation inspection checks features that help your home stand up to wind, such as roof shape, roof-to-wall connections and window protection. The inspector fills out the state's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802). Insurers may give you a discount for features that are verified. The form is valid for up to five years if nothing about the house has changed, says OIR.
OIR advises you to confirm the inspector is authorized under state law. Savings vary by insurer and home, so ask for a quote before and after. If you replaced your roof since your last inspection, get a new form.
2. Look at Your Hurricane Deductible
Insurers must offer you hurricane deductibles of $500, 2 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent of your dwelling limit, with some exceptions for higher-value homes, under Florida Statute 627.701. A higher deductible usually means a lower premium, but you pay more out of pocket after a storm.
Here is an example. On a home insured for $250,000, a 2 percent deductible is $5,000. A 5 percent deductible is $12,500. That is the amount you would pay yourself before the policy pays for hurricane damage. A licensed insurance agent can show you how each choice changes your premium and your costs after a storm.
3. Shop Around With an Independent Agent
An independent agent can get quotes from several companies. Compare the same dwelling limit, the same deductible and the same coverage. Also ask how your roof's age affects your price, since companies set their own rules.
4. Ask About Other Discounts
Companies post their mitigation discounts on their websites. Ask about discounts for security systems, claim-free years or bundling. Also check that your homestead exemption is in place. See our guide to Florida property tax exemptions for seniors.
My Safe Florida Home: Free Inspection and Grants
My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) is a state program run by the Florida Department of Financial Services. It offers a free home inspection and, for those who qualify, a grant to make the house stronger. Under Florida Statute 215.5586:
- The state can pay up to $10,000. Most grants are a match of $2 from the state for each $1 from you.
- Low-income applicants can get up to $10,000 with no match.
- Applications are reviewed in this order: low-income applicants age 60 or older, other low-income applicants, moderate-income applicants age 60 or older, other moderate-income applicants, and then everyone else.
- The home must be a site-built, owner-occupied house with a homestead exemption. It must have been built before 2008 and be insured for $700,000 or less.
- It is a reimbursement program. You hire a licensed contractor, get permits, and finish the work within 18 months of approval.
How to Apply
- Go to mysafeflhome.com and create an account.
- Request the free inspection. A state-authorized inspector visits and gives you a report with suggested upgrades.
- Apply for the grant. The inspection alone does not guarantee a grant.
- Choose a licensed contractor, get permits, and do the work.
- Request the final inspection so the state can reimburse you.
Funding and open dates change. The program depends on money from the Legislature. It has opened and paused inspection applications in rounds. Check the official site for current dates, income limits and funding. Do not pay any company that promises you a grant spot.
Be careful with door-to-door contractors after a storm. Get at least three written bids and check the license. If you are planning ahead for storms, read our hurricane plan for seniors. For more ways to make your house safer, see home safety for aging in place.
If You Have a Dispute With Your Insurer
Keep copies of every letter and note every phone call. If your insurer denies a claim, cancels your policy or does not answer, you can contact the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS). Its Insurance Consumer Helpline is 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236), open Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern, per the DFS contact page. DFS also suggests filing your concern online, because phone wait times can be long. Deaf or hard-of-hearing callers can dial 711.
Where to Get Free Help
- Florida DFS Insurance Consumer Helpline: 1-877-693-5236 for insurance questions, complaints and claim disputes.
- Citizens Customer Care Center: 1-866-411-2742 for questions about your Citizens policy or takeout letter.
- Florida Elder Helpline: 1-800-963-5337, from the Department of Elder Affairs, to find local senior services.
- My Safe Florida Home: mysafeflhome.com for the inspection and grant application.
Looking for more ways to cut costs? See our financial planning guide for Florida seniors and our list of senior assistance programs.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. Readers should consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns, a financial advisor for financial planning, and an attorney for legal matters. The resources and programs mentioned are subject to eligibility requirements and availability, which may vary. While we strive for accuracy, the information provided may not reflect the most recent updates. Always verify details with official sources or professionals before making decisions based on this content.