Florida insurance FAQ

It is a separate deductible that applies to hurricane damage. It is usually a percentage of the dwelling (Coverage A) limit, not of the damage amount. In Florida, insurers must offer $500, 2%, 5% and 10% options, with variations for higher-value homes, and it applies once per calendar year. For example, a hypothetical family with a $2,000,000 dwelling limit and a 2% deductible would absorb the first $40,000 of a covered loss. Converting the percentage into dollars helps plan liquidity before the season. See the guide →

Replacement cost pays what it takes to repair or replace with materials of like kind and quality, without deducting depreciation. Actual cash value (ACV) subtracts depreciation for age and wear, so it can pay considerably less, for example on an older roof. Many policies pay ACV first and the rest once the repair is completed. Some add extended replacement cost, 20 percent or more above the limit depending on the insurer. Check which method applies to the dwelling, the roof and the contents. See the guide →

Generally, no. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood, and storm surge counts as flood. That protection comes from a separate policy, either NFIP or private. Florida law allows insurers to offer flood coverage by policy or by endorsement, so it is worth reading your declarations page and endorsements to see what you have. Keep the NFIP limits in mind: $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for contents on residential homes. For higher-value homes, many families review whether they need an excess flood policy. See the guide →

NFIP policies generally have a 30-day waiting period from purchase. There are exceptions: there is no wait if the policy is bought in connection with a mortgage loan, and the wait is one day if bought within 13 months of a flood map revision. Private flood waits vary, often about two weeks. That is why buying coverage once a storm has formed is usually too late. The prudent time to review it is before the season begins. See the guide →

It is worth considering. According to FEMA, almost one-third of NFIP claims from 2014 to 2024 came from outside high-risk flood areas. FEMA also notes that just one inch of water can cause $25,000 in damages. Flood maps reflect estimated risk, but heavy rain, overwhelmed drainage and storm surge do not always respect those lines. The decision depends on your property, your location and your ability to absorb a loss, and it is worth discussing with your agent. See the guide →

In Florida, the adult who signs a minor's license application is jointly and severally liable for the minor's negligent driving (Statute 322.09). In addition, under the dangerous instrumentality doctrine, a vehicle owner can be liable for the negligence of anyone driving with permission. Because Florida does not require bodily injury liability on private passenger cars, the limits you chose, along with your umbrella policy, determine how much of your wealth is protected. It is worth reviewing whose name the cars are in and who drives them. See the guide →

PIP (Personal Injury Protection) is required in Florida with a $10,000 minimum. Regardless of who caused the crash, it pays 80% of reasonable, necessary medical expenses and 60% of lost income, within that limit, plus a $5,000 death benefit. If no emergency medical condition is determined, medical reimbursement is limited to $2,500. PIP does not pay for injuries you cause to others: that is the job of bodily injury liability, which Florida does not require on private passenger cars. See the guide →

Florida does not require private recreational boat owners to carry insurance; rental liveries must. In practice, marinas and lenders often require it. The exposure is real: FWC reported 694 reportable accidents and 51 fatalities in 2025. Under Statute 327.32, liability for reckless or careless operation is confined to the operator unless the owner is the operator or is aboard, although an owner can still face negligent entrustment claims. See the guide →

Generally, no. Most personal umbrella policies exclude aviation liability. That means liability for an aircraft accident depends almost entirely on the aviation policy and its limits, including per-seat sublimits that can reduce what is available for each passenger. If your family owns an aircraft or holds a fractional share, it is worth reviewing with an aviation-focused agent how that liability is structured and who may fly under the pilot warranty. See the guide →

There is no single rule. Many appraisers and insurers suggest updating every few years, and also when gold, diamond or watch prices move significantly, or when a piece is altered. Your policy may set its own requirements, so it is worth reading. An outdated appraisal can leave a piece insured for less than it would cost to replace. Remember too that the jewelry theft limit on a standard homeowners policy is often about $1,500, which is why many families schedule their important pieces. See the guide →

Usually it covers art as personal property, but with limits. The policy may pay actual cash value, apply sublimits, exclude accidental breakage or not cover a disappearance without evidence of theft. Flood is also excluded from a standard homeowners policy. Many families with significant collections use a valuables or fine art policy, with pieces scheduled at agreed value and supported by appraisals. It is also worth reviewing coverage while a work is in transit, on loan to a museum or stored away from home. See the guide →

It is a liability policy that pays above your homeowners, auto and boat limits, and it can cover risks those policies leave out, such as libel or slander. There is no single right number: many families weigh their net worth, future income and exposures, such as a pool, boats, teen drivers or household staff. Insurers require minimum underlying limits; the Insurance Information Institute notes many want at least $250,000 on auto and $300,000 on homeowners. Most umbrellas exclude aviation liability. See the guide →

In Florida, the law (768.125) provides that serving alcohol to a person of lawful drinking age generally creates no liability for what they do afterward. There are important exceptions: willfully and unlawfully serving someone under 21, or knowingly serving someone habitually addicted to alcohol. Other claims can still arise, for example if the guest is injured on your property or drives a car you lent them. Review with your attorney and agent how your homeowners and umbrella policies would respond. See the guide →

Florida law (440.02) excludes domestic servants in private homes from the definition of employment, so it is generally not required for a nanny. However, an employer may voluntarily elect coverage (440.04). Without it, if the nanny is hurt on the job, the claim may be directed at the family, and the homeowners policy might respond only in limited ways. Household employer tax obligations are a separate matter. Review the situation with your agent, attorney and CPA. See the guide →

Florida law (627.70132) requires notice of a new or reopened property claim within one year of the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months. Even so, most policies ask for prompt notice, and waiting can make it harder to prove the damage. The prudent approach is to report as soon as it is safe, document with photos and video, take reasonable steps to prevent further damage and keep receipts. Flood policies have their own deadlines and requirements, which are worth reviewing.

A public adjuster represents the policyholder, not the insurer, in preparing and negotiating a claim, in exchange for a percentage of the payment. In Florida they must be licensed by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), and you can ask for their license number. The law caps fees: 10% of the payment on claims from a declared state of emergency made during the year after the declaration, and 20% on other claims. It also sets a window to cancel the contract and hours for contacting policyholders. Read the contract before signing.

Patrimonio Protegido is an educational website. It explains how insurance works for families in Florida, the most common gaps and the questions worth asking. It does not sell insurance, provide quotes, recommend insurers or replace advice from a professional. Every policy has its own terms, and laws and practices change. Use this information to prepare for a better-informed conversation with your own licensed insurance agent, attorney or CPA.