Florida's Insurance Crisis — and What You Can Do About It
Let's start with the bad news: Florida has the highest homeowners insurance premiums in the nation. The average Florida homeowner pays over $4,000/year — more than triple the national average.
Now the good news: there are concrete, proven steps you can take to lower your premiums. Some of them can save you $1,000+ per year.
1. Get a Wind Mitigation Inspection ($500–$1,500+ Annual Savings)
This is the single biggest money-saver available to Florida homeowners, and most people don't know about it.
Florida law requires insurance companies to offer discounts for wind-resistant building features. A wind mitigation inspection documents:
The inspection costs $75–$150 and often pays for itself in the first month of premium reduction.
We've helped Orlando homeowners save up to $1,800/year with a single wind mitigation report.
2. Upgrade Your Roof
Your roof is the #1 factor in your insurance premium. If your roof is:
If you're planning a roof replacement, choose a hip roof design with impact-rated shingles or tiles and ensure your contractor installs it with wind-resistant techniques. The upfront cost is higher, but the annual savings compound over the life of the roof.
3. Install Impact-Rated Windows and Doors
Impact windows and doors protect your home during hurricanes AND earn significant insurance discounts. Whole-home opening protection (all windows, doors, and garage doors rated for impact) can reduce your premium by 20–40%.
The math: Impact windows cost $10,000–$30,000 for a whole home. At $1,000/year in insurance savings plus energy savings, the payback period is 8–15 years — and your home value increases immediately.
4. Bundle Your Policies
Most insurance companies offer 10–25% discounts when you bundle homeowners and auto insurance. If your homeowners and auto policies are with different carriers, get quotes for bundling.
5. Increase Your Deductible
Raising your hurricane deductible from 2% to 5% of your home's value can significantly lower your premium. Just make sure you have that cash available in an emergency fund.
Example: On a $400,000 home, going from a 2% ($8,000) to a 5% ($20,000) hurricane deductible might save $500–$1,000/year. But you need to be comfortable covering that $20,000 if a hurricane hits.
6. Improve Your Home's Security
Insurance companies offer discounts for:
7. Shop Your Policy Annually
Florida's insurance market is volatile. Carriers enter and leave the market regularly. What was the cheapest option last year may not be this year. Get quotes from at least 3–4 carriers every renewal period.
Use an independent insurance agent who represents multiple carriers — they can shop the market for you.
The One Thing Most People Miss
Many homeowners pay for a wind mitigation inspection once and never update it. But if you've made improvements — new roof, new windows, added shutters — get a new inspection. Your current report may not reflect upgrades that qualify for additional discounts.
How We Can Help
At H&H Real Estate Consulting, we perform wind mitigation and 4-point inspections throughout Orlando and Central Florida. Our reports are insurance-ready and designed to maximize your qualifying discounts.
Contact us to schedule your wind mitigation inspection. It's the fastest way to start saving.
