How to Buy Florida Homeowner's Insurance
The very real threat of hurricanes makes adequate homeowners insurance a must in Florida. Homeowners insurance can pay for the repair or replacement of your house if it is damaged by a hurricane, tornado or other natural disaster. Homeowners insurance also offers protection for other types of damages, such as theft of personal items after a break-in or repairs needed after a tree falls into your roof.
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Instructions
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Compare rates from the Shop And Compare homeowner's insurance website produced by the state of Florida. The site isn't detailed enough to tell you exactly how much you would pay for homeowners insurance, but it can offer a general idea about pricing from the various insurance companies licensed to sell in Florida.
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Select an insurance company. Seek referrals from real estate agents, bankers, friends, and others. Confirm, if necessary, that the company is authorized to sell homeowners' insurance in Florida by searching for the company's name in the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation database.
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Choose your level of coverage. Consult with your mortgage company for guidance on how much insurance to buy relative to what you owe on the house. Calculate how much you would need to pay off the balance and purchase a new home if necessary. Florida endured brutal back-to-back hurricane seasons in 2004 and 2005, with tens of billions of dollars in insured damages caused by eight hurricanes and four tropical storms, according to the state of Florida website. As a result homeowners shopping for insurance are presented with a sliding scale of options, each offering a different level of protection. For example, some policies offer discounts for homes built to minimize damage from storms. Such homes may feature hurricane shutters or storm-proof windows.
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Contact a licensed agent and purchase the insurance.
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