Who this is for
- Florida buyers who have never seen a percentage-based hurricane deductible before
- Buyers of older homes where the roof drives the entire insurance quote
- Homeowners wondering whether a wind mitigation inspection is worth it
- Borrowers comparing quotes with different deductibles and mitigation credits
- Anyone buying near the coast where windstorm underwriting is strictest
Typical Florida Wind & Hurricane Insurance requirements
| Hurricane deductible | A separate deductible for named-storm wind damage, usually 2%, 5%, or 10% of the dwelling (Coverage A) limit, not of the claim. |
|---|---|
| How the math works | On $300,000 of dwelling coverage, a 2% hurricane deductible is $6,000 out of pocket before the policy pays on a hurricane claim. |
| Typical lender cap | Many loan programs cap the deductible, often at 5% of the coverage amount. A 10% deductible can violate your loan’s insurance requirements. |
| All-other-perils deductible | The flat-dollar deductible (often $1,000–$2,500) that applies to non-hurricane claims such as fire or theft. |
| Wind mitigation inspection | A licensed inspector documents roof covering, roof deck attachment, roof-to-wall connections, roof shape, and opening protection. Insurers apply credits for hardened features. |
| Roof age sensitivity | Many Florida carriers heavily surcharge or decline roofs past 15–20 years; some require replacement before binding. |
| Opening protection | Hurricane shutters or impact-rated windows and doors earn some of the largest mitigation credits. |
| What we are not | We are a mortgage broker, not insurance agents. Consult a licensed Florida insurance agent for policy advice. |
Figures are typical market ranges as of October 2026. Actual terms depend on the lender, your credit, the property and the program, and are confirmed on your Loan Estimate or term sheet.
How it works
- Order a wind mitigation inspection early, it is inexpensive relative to the credits it can unlock, and most insurers require the standard state form.
- Collect the roof facts every underwriter will ask: installation year, material (shingle, tile, metal), and permit history.
- Get quotes at multiple deductible levels (2%, 5%, 10%) so you can see the premium savings against the out-of-pocket risk.
- Check the deductible against your loan program’s maximum before you fall in love with a 10% deductible quote, exceeding the cap means re-quoting or a loan problem.
- If the roof is near the end of its insurable life, price a replacement into your negotiation or renovation budget; some sellers credit it.
- Bind coverage with the lender as mortgagee, confirm the declarations page shows the correct deductible, and deliver it to your mortgage team.
Try the Mortgage Payment Calculator
Pros and cons
Advantages
- Documented mitigation features can cut wind premiums substantially
- Metal roofs, hip roof shapes, and impact openings are rewarded by underwriters
- A newer roof both lowers insurance and strengthens the appraisal and resale story
- Choosing a higher deductible within lender limits is a legitimate way to lower the premium
Trade-offs
- Hurricane deductibles are percentage-based, so out-of-pocket exposure on a major storm is large
- Older roofs can make a home difficult or very expensive to insure
- Coastal and barrier-island properties face the strictest underwriting and fewest carrier options
- Mitigation credits only apply if the inspection form is current and properly documented
Documents you’ll need
- Wind mitigation inspection report (state form), usually required for credits
- Roof permit history and installation year documentation
- 4-point inspection for older homes
- Declarations page showing the hurricane deductible percentage
Florida Wind & Hurricane Insurance FAQ
What is a hurricane deductible, exactly?
It is the amount you pay out of pocket on wind damage from a named hurricane, expressed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage, commonly 2%, 5%, or 10%. It applies per hurricane season in most Florida policies (once you satisfy it for one storm, it is typically considered met for the rest of that season), unlike the flat-dollar deductible on other claims. Because it is percentage-based, the dollar exposure is much larger than most buyers expect.
What does a wind mitigation inspection cover?
A licensed inspector documents the features that determine how your home handles wind: roof covering type and age, how the roof deck is attached, roof-to-wall connections (clips, straps, or toe nails), roof shape (hip roofs perform best), and whether windows, doors, and garage doors are impact-rated or shuttered. Insurers translate each feature into premium credits on the state-standard form.
Is a wind mitigation inspection worth the cost?
Usually yes. The inspection itself is relatively inexpensive, and the credits for features like a hip roof, secondary water resistance, and opening protection can reduce the wind portion of the premium year after year. Even if your home has few hardened features, the report tells you exactly which upgrades would pay back fastest.
Can my lender reject my deductible choice?
Effectively, yes. Loan programs set maximum allowable deductibles, commonly capped around 5% of the dwelling coverage, because an excessive deductible weakens the collateral protection the insurance is supposed to provide. If your quote shows a 10% hurricane deductible, confirm it against your loan’s requirements before binding, or you may have to re-quote mid-process.
What if the home’s roof is too old to insure?
This is one of the most common Florida closing problems. Many carriers surcharge steeply or decline roofs beyond roughly 15–20 years, and some require a replacement commitment before binding. Options include negotiating a seller roof replacement or credit, pricing the replacement into a renovation loan, or finding a carrier or the state-backed market that will write the risk, each with cost and timeline implications your mortgage team should know about early.
Are you insurance agents? Can you sell me the policy?
No. We are a mortgage broker, not insurance agents, and we do not sell insurance. For policy advice, coverage decisions, and quotes, work with a licensed Florida insurance agent. Our role is to make sure whatever policy you choose satisfies your lender’s requirements and fits your monthly payment.
What roof types get the best wind insurance rates?
Metal roofs and concrete tile on hip-shaped roofs with documented mitigation features price best. Architectural shingles are fine when newer. Flat or gable roofs with toe-nailed connections price worst. Roof shape and attachment method matter as much as age.
Does my hurricane deductible apply per storm or per season?
In most Florida policies, the hurricane deductible applies per season: once you satisfy it on the first named storm, it is considered met for any subsequent hurricanes that same season. Check your specific policy language, since this varies.
Will installing hurricane shutters lower my premium?
Yes, opening protection (shutters or impact glass on all openings including the garage door) earns some of the largest mitigation credits available. The payback is usually a few years of premium savings. Document it with an updated wind mitigation inspection to get the credit.
How Florida Wind & Hurricane Insurance compares
| Florida Wind & Hurricane Insurance | Florida Homeowners Insurance & Mortgages | Florida Flood Insurance & Mortgages | Property Tax Guide for Homebuyers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Florida buyers who have never seen a percentage-based hurricane deductible before | Florida homebuyers budgeting their true monthly payment, not just principal and interest | Buyers whose target property is in or near a FEMA flood zone | Buyers comparing affordability across counties with different tax rates |
| Down payment | , | , | , | , |
| Credit | , | , | , | , |
| Income docs | , | , | , | , |
Typical ranges, your Loan Estimate or term sheet confirms actual terms.
Coming soon: a 2-minute walkthrough from our loan team.
Related programs
Florida Homeowners Insurance & Mortgages
Every Florida mortgage requires homeowners insurance.
Florida Flood Insurance & Mortgages
Standard homeowners policies do not cover flooding, and in Florida, flat, low-lying, and ringed by water, that gap matters.
Property Tax Guide for Homebuyers
Property tax is usually the second-largest piece of your monthly housing payment after principal and interest, and unlike your interest rate, it is reassessed every year.
First-Time Homebuyer Loans
First-time homebuyer loans are mortgage options with low down payments, typically 3% conventional, 3.5% FHA or $0 VA, often paired with state or local down payment assistance.