Florida has a long coastline and a year-round hurricane season, making homeowners insurance one of the most important investments you can make. If you are new to Florida or have lived here for many years, it is important to know how to protect yourself and your family by purchasing a homeowners insurance policy.
Florida's average home insurance cost is $1,981 a year for coverage of $250,000, or 39 percent higher than the national average, $1,428. To compare rates and find a policy that protects your home and valuables, you should get quotes.
Choosing a Florida home insurance company that offers great customer service and coverage is key to finding the right policy for your needs. J.D. Power gives good ratings to companies. The companies that have high J.D.
Check for discounts
Florida home insurers offer discounts to reduce your rate. Some of these discounts include discounts for being a first-time customer, discounts for buying a home and discounts when you install hurricane protection devices.
Credit score improvement
Credit score is a major factor in determining your insurance rate. Improving it can help you lower your rates. To improve your credit score, pay your bills promptly and avoid carrying high credit card balances.
Consider bundling your policies
Some Florida home insurance companies will offer a discount for insuring your auto and home with them, which can be a huge savings over the course of a year. The windstorm coverage of your homeowners policy will be reduced as well, because a bundle can reduce your deductible.
Add protective devices to your home
Adding a deadbolt, smoke alarm, or burglar alarm can reduce your insurance rates because they lower your risk of theft and fire. If you live in an area where burglaries occur frequently, it's important to take these precautions.
Fortify your home against storms
Have your roof and siding inspected by an expert in wind mitigation. A qualified expert may also offer tips for lowering the cost of homeowner's insurance by improving your home’s wind defenses.
Get a free quote!
Liberty Mutual is a top-rated national insurer with more than 100 years of experience and an A+ rating from AM Best. It is one of the top choices for Florida home insurance, because of their excellent reputation in customer service. They also offer a wide variety of coverage and have a number of discounts.
You should be aware that not all Florida insurance companies offer all these discounts. Check with each individual company to make sure you are getting the maximum benefit.
Florida homeowners insurance is more expensive than the national average. Tower Hill has some of the cheapest Florida home insurers, while Citizens' rates are higher for homeowners who have dangerous dog types.