Hurricane deductible in Florida: 2% vs. 5%
Your hurricane deductible is usually a percentage of your dwelling coverage, not a fixed amount. That's why many storm claims end up below it. Here's how to read yours in dollars.
Short answer: A Florida hurricane deductible is usually 2%, 5% or 10% of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A). On a home insured for $300,000, 2% is $6,000 and 5% is $15,000. Your insurance company pays only the covered hurricane damage above that amount. For personal residential policies, the hurricane deductible applies once per calendar year, not once per storm.
The options Florida law requires
Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 627.701) requires insurance companies to offer hurricane deductible options of $500, 2%, 5% and 10% of the dwelling limit. Homes insured for $250,000 or more don't have to be offered the $500 option. Your declarations page shows your hurricane deductible as a dollar amount.
What it is in dollars
| Dwelling coverage | 2% | 5% | 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $4,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| $300,000 | $6,000 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| $400,000 | $8,000 | $20,000 | $40,000 |
| $500,000 | $10,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
Example: your home is insured for $300,000 with a 2% hurricane deductible ($6,000). The covered hurricane damage is $14,000. The insurance company would pay about $8,000. With a 5% deductible ($15,000), the same damage would pay nothing, and the claim would be closed without payment.
Once per calendar year
For personal residential policies, Florida law doesn't let the insurance company apply the hurricane deductible more than once in a calendar year. If a second hurricane hits the same year, the remaining part of the hurricane deductible, or your regular "all other perils" deductible, generally applies instead. Keep records of every hurricane claim you file during the year.
When the hurricane deductible applies
It applies to damage from a hurricane as your policy defines it, generally starting when the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane watch or warning for any part of Florida and ending 72 hours after the last one ends. Damage from other causes, like a burst pipe, uses your regular deductible.
Why it matters after Isaias
Damage below the deductible is one of the most common reasons storm claims are closed without payment. Before accepting that, make sure everything was counted: interior water damage, ceilings, insulation, flooring, fences and screen enclosures can push the total above the deductible. If something was missed, see how to reopen a closed claim.
Choosing a deductible at renewal
A higher percentage usually lowers the premium but raises what you pay after a storm. That's a decision to make with your insurance agent. What we see on claims is that many owners don't know their deductible in dollars until after the storm, so check it now.
How public adjuster fees work in Florida
The initial claim review is free. If you hire us, our fee is a percentage of what the insurance company pays on the claim, agreed in writing before you sign. Florida law caps public adjuster fees (Fla. Stat. § 626.854), and the cap can be lower for claims tied to a declared state of emergency, such as a hurricane. We tell you which limit applies to your claim.
This guide is general information. Deductibles, definitions and coverage depend on each policy; check your declarations page and talk to your agent about policy choices. We do not guarantee amounts or results.
Hurricane deductible questions
What's the difference between a 2% and a 5% hurricane deductible?
It's the share of your dwelling coverage you pay before insurance pays for hurricane damage. On $300,000 of coverage, 2% is $6,000 and 5% is $15,000.
Is the hurricane deductible a percentage of the damage?
No. It's a percentage of your dwelling coverage limit (Coverage A), not of the damage. Your declarations page shows it in dollars.
Do I pay the hurricane deductible for every storm?
For personal residential policies in Florida, the hurricane deductible applies once per calendar year. Later hurricanes that year generally use the remaining balance or your regular deductible.
My claim was closed because damage was below the deductible. What can I do?
Check whether all the damage was included. Interior and hidden damage is often missed. If you find more, document it and ask the insurance company to reopen the claim.