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If you own or plan to buy a home in St. Petersburg, hurricane insurance is probably the biggest line in your budget after the mortgage, and the part of the policy people understand least. Two homes on the same street can pay very different premiums, and the difference often comes down to three things: the hurricane deductible you choose, the age and condition of the roof, and whether you have a wind mitigation inspection on file. Here is how each one works in Florida, with the rules checked against the statutes.
General information only, not insurance or legal advice. Get written quotes from a licensed Florida insurance agent for the exact address before you commit.
The short version
- A Florida homeowners policy covers wind, including hurricane wind. It does not cover flood: that is a separate policy (see our flood zone and insurance guide).
- Hurricane damage usually has its own deductible, a percentage of the insured value of the house. It can be tens of thousands of dollars, so look at it before you compare premiums.
- A wind mitigation inspection documents features of your home that reduce wind damage. Florida law requires insurers to give credits for them, which can lower the wind part of your premium.
- Roof age matters, but Florida law limits how far an insurer can use it against you.
The hurricane deductible: why it matters more than the premium
Most Florida policies have a separate deductible for hurricane losses. Under Florida Statute 627.701, insurers must offer hurricane deductibles of 2%, 5% and 10% of the dwelling limit, and in some cases a flat $500 option. The percentage applies to the dwelling coverage on your policy, not to the repair bill. For a home insured for $400,000:
| Hurricane deductible | You pay first |
|---|---|
| 2% | $8,000 |
| 5% | $20,000 |
| 10% | $40,000 |
Points worth knowing:
- A higher deductible lowers the premium, but you must be able to pay it after a storm. Many buyers forget to keep that cash available.
- Policies that carry a separate hurricane deductible must show it as a dollar amount on the declarations page (627.701(4)(b)), so you can see the real number.
- The deductible applies on an annual basis: if two hurricanes damage your home in the same calendar year, you do not start a fresh deductible each time. A later storm’s deductible may be the greater of what is left of the hurricane deductible or your regular deductible (627.701(5)(a)).
- When you compare quotes, ask whether the deductible applies to hurricanes only or to all named storms or windstorms. The wording differs between insurers, and so does what it covers.
Wind mitigation inspection: documenting what protects your home
A wind mitigation inspection is a visit by a licensed inspector who records, on the state’s standard form (OIR-B1-1802), the features that help a house resist wind: how the roof is shaped, what covers it, how the roof deck and roof-to-wall connections are fastened, whether there is a secondary water barrier under the shingles, and whether windows and doors are protected by impact glass or shutters. Florida law requires insurers to include actuarially reasonable discounts, credits or other rate differentials for such features (Florida Statute 627.0629).
What to expect:
- There is no official “typical saving”. The credit depends on the insurer and on what the inspector finds, and it applies to the wind part of your premium, not to the whole policy. Treat any percentage from a marketing page with caution and ask your agent to re-rate your policy with the report attached.
- It is usually worth doing on a home with newer roof features or shutters. If your house is older and has none of them, the report may add little.
- The form has a limited life. It is generally accepted for up to five years if nothing about the structure has changed; confirm with your insurer. The state revised the form in 2026, so ask the inspector to use the current version (Radey Law).
Roof age: what insurers can and cannot do
Many insurers prefer roofs under about 15 years old. Florida law now limits that. Under Florida Statute 627.7011(5), an insurer may not refuse to issue or renew a homeowners policy solely because of roof age if the roof is less than 15 years old, or, for an older roof, if an inspection shows at least five years of useful life remaining. That inspection is at the homeowner’s expense and can be done by an inspector the insurer approves, such as a licensed home inspector, building code inspector, general or roofing contractor, or engineer.
This protects you only against a refusal based on age alone. An insurer can still decline or surcharge for other reasons, such as visible damage. The rules have been revisited by the Legislature several times, so confirm the current text with your agent.
Free help: My Safe Florida Home
The state’s My Safe Florida Home program offers a free wind-mitigation inspection and, after the inspection, grants of up to $10,000 toward upgrades such as roof-deck reinforcement, impact windows or shutters. Funding has been limited, and the program places applicants into groups, so check the site for what is open now before you plan around it.
Condo owners: your policy is different
If you buy a condo, the association’s master policy covers the building, and its hurricane deductible can be passed on to owners as a special assessment. Your own HO-6 policy covers the inside of your unit, your belongings and, if you add it, loss-assessment coverage. Ask for the association’s insurance certificate and deductible before you sign. Our condo guide covers what else to request.
How to lower your hurricane insurance cost
- Compare quotes from several agents at the same deductible, so you compare like with like.
- Order a wind mitigation inspection if your home has any of the qualifying features, then ask for a re-rate.
- Know your roof’s age and condition. If it is over 15, get the inspection described above before renewal.
- Consider storm shutters or impact windows, which can earn credits and protect the house.
- Apply to My Safe Florida Home if it is accepting applicants.
- Choose a deductible you can afford to pay in cash.
If you are buying: a checklist for the inspection period
The standard Florida contract gives you 15 days for inspections, so plan the insurance work inside that window:
- Ask the seller for any existing wind mitigation report, the roof’s age and the last four-point inspection.
- Get written wind and flood quotes for the specific address before the inspection period ends.
- Order a home inspection and, for older homes, a wind-mitigation and a four-point inspection.
- Check the hurricane deductible on each quote as a dollar figure.
- Add the total insurance cost to your monthly budget. For typical figures see the cost of living in St. Petersburg, and for the buying process see how to buy a home in Florida.
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage in Florida?
It covers wind damage, including hurricane wind, usually with a separate hurricane deductible. It does not cover flood or storm surge; that needs a separate flood policy.
What is a typical hurricane deductible?
Insurers must offer 2%, 5% and 10% of the dwelling limit, and in some cases a flat $500 option. Which one people choose varies; on a $400,000 dwelling limit, 2% is $8,000 and 5% is $20,000.
Is a wind mitigation inspection required?
No. It is optional, but it is how you document features that earn insurance credits. Without a report, your insurer may not give those credits.
Can my insurer drop me because of my roof’s age?
Not solely because of age if the roof is under 15 years old, or if it is older and an inspection shows at least five years of useful life left. The insurer can still act on other grounds, such as damage.
How often do I pay the hurricane deductible?
The hurricane deductible applies on an annual basis to all covered hurricane losses in a calendar year, so a second storm in the same year does not start a brand-new deductible.
Want help comparing homes by insurance cost?
I help buyers look at roof age, elevation and insurance quotes before they make an offer, in English, Russian or Ukrainian. Book a free consultation or see my relocation services.
Information as of November 2026, based on the Florida Statutes cited above. Rules, program funding and insurer practices change; confirm current terms with a licensed agent.
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