Hurricane Season 2026: What Every Florida Homeowner Needs to Know
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Here's what you need to check on your homeowners and flood insurance before the storms arrive.
Don't Wait Until a Storm Is in the Gulf
Every year, we get a flood of calls (no pun intended) the week a hurricane enters the Gulf of Mexico. By then, it's too late — most carriers impose binding restrictions 48-72 hours before a storm's projected landfall.
The time to review your coverage is now.
What to Check on Your Homeowners Policy
Dwelling Coverage (Coverage A): Is your home insured for its full replacement cost? With construction costs up 25-35% since 2020, many Florida homes are underinsured. Use our Replacement Cost Estimator to check.
Hurricane Deductible: In Florida, your hurricane deductible is typically 2-5% of your dwelling coverage — NOT a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 home with a 2% hurricane deductible, you'd pay the first $8,000 out of pocket.
Loss of Use (Coverage D): If your home is uninhabitable after a storm, this covers hotel, meals, and other living expenses. Make sure your limit is adequate — post-hurricane hotel rates in Florida can be 3-4x normal.
Flood Insurance: The Coverage Gap Most People Miss
Your homeowners policy does NOT cover flood damage. This is true whether you have Citizens, a private carrier, or any other homeowners policy.
Flood insurance is a separate policy, and it's critical in Florida. Even if you're not in a high-risk flood zone, 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas.
Key flood insurance facts:
- There's typically a 30-day waiting period before a new flood policy takes effect
- Private flood insurance often provides higher limits and better terms than NFIP
- Check your flood zone with our Flood Zone Locator
Your Pre-Hurricane Checklist
- Review your homeowners policy declarations page
- Verify your dwelling coverage matches current replacement cost
- Confirm you have a separate flood insurance policy
- Document your belongings (video walkthrough of every room)
- Know your hurricane deductible amount
- Save your agent's contact info (that's us: 904-900-5063)
Get a Free Coverage Review
Don't wait for the first tropical disturbance. Schedule a free coverage review and we'll make sure you're properly protected before hurricane season arrives.
Ricardo Alonso
Founder, Atesa Risk Advisors
Ricardo is a RamseyTrusted insurance advisor with a Harvard ALM in Finance. He founded Atesa Risk Advisors to bring honest, independent insurance guidance to Florida businesses and individuals.