Florida homeowner reading an insurance letter at the kitchen table

Home Insurance Non-Renewal in Florida: What to Do Next

October 02, 2026

Quick answer: A Florida home insurer generally must give you at least 120 days' written notice of non-renewal and state the reason. Your coverage normally continues until the policy's expiration date, so use that time to ask whether the issue can be fixed, schedule any inspections and start shopping for replacement coverage early.

A non-renewal notice means your insurer has decided not to continue your home policy when the current term ends. It is unwelcome news, but Florida law gives you notice, a stated reason and time to act. This guide covers what the notice must contain, the limits the law places on insurers, and the practical steps to take next.

Non-renewal is not the same as cancellation

The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) defines the two terms this way. A nonrenewal is the termination of an insurance policy at its normal expiration date. A cancellation is the termination of a policy before its normal expiration date, in other words mid-term.

With a non-renewal, your coverage normally continues until the expiration date shown on the policy. Check your notice for the exact date.

What the notice must tell you

Section 627.4133(2)(b), Florida Statutes, sets the notice rules. It requires the following:

The insurer must give the first-named insured written notice of nonrenewal at least 120 days before the effective date of the nonrenewal.
The notice must include the reason for the nonrenewal.
A policy that covers both a home and a motor vehicle may be nonrenewed for any reason applicable to the property or motor vehicle insurance after 90 days' notice.

The statute lists other exceptions to the 120-day period, so read your notice and your policy to see which timeline applies to you.

Limits on the reasons an insurer may use

Florida law restricts some reasons for non-renewal. According to the statutes and DFS:

Act of God claims. Claims that result from an act of God may not be used as a cause for nonrenewal unless the insurer can demonstrate, by claims frequency or otherwise, that the insured failed to take action reasonably necessary, as requested by the insurer, to prevent recurrence of damage to the property (section 627.4133(3)).
A single water damage claim. One water damage claim may not be used as the sole cause for nonrenewal unless the insurer can demonstrate that the insured failed to take action the insurer reasonably requested to prevent a similar future loss (section 627.4133(6)).
Credit information. DFS states that insurers cannot nonrenew a homeowner's policy solely based on information from a credit report, for having no credit history, or for having an adverse credit history due to medical bills.
Roof age alone. An insurer may not refuse to renew a homeowner's policy on a residential structure with a roof that is less than 15 years old solely because of the age of the roof (section 627.7011(5)). For an older roof, the same section requires the insurer to allow an inspection by an authorized inspector, at the homeowner's expense, before requiring replacement, and bars refusal solely for roof age if the inspection indicates 5 years or more of useful life remaining.

Extra protection around hurricanes

DFS explains that if a nonrenewal is scheduled to take place during a hurricane, the insurer is required to extend coverage until the end of the duration of the hurricane.

Section 627.4133(2)(e) adds a second protection. An authorized insurer may not cancel or nonrenew a residential property policy for a period of 90 days after the dwelling has been repaired, if the property was damaged by a hurricane or wind loss that is the subject of a declaration of emergency and the filing of an order by the Commissioner of Insurance Regulation. The statute lists exceptions to this protection.

What to do next

Read the notice closely. Find the effective date and the stated reason.
Ask about the reason. Contact your agent or insurer and ask whether the issue can be addressed, for example with a repair or an inspection report.
Start looking for replacement coverage early. Use the notice period rather than waiting for the last weeks.
Expect inspection requests. DFS's Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate says a four-point inspection of the roofing, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems is commonly required by homeowners insurance companies in Florida when issuing or renewing a policy. The report generally must be dated within the 30 days before the application is submitted, although each insurance company sets its own timeframe, so confirm the timing before you schedule one.
Plan for repairs. The same DFS guide notes that, depending on the inspection findings, homeowners may need to complete repairs before an insurance company will issue a policy.
Verify licenses. DFS asks consumers to contact it to verify the license of the agent and the insurance company before signing an application for a policy.
Keep records. Save the notice, your current policy and any inspection reports together.

Where to get help from the state

The DFS Division of Consumer Services offers information and resources to educate consumers on insurance topics. Its Florida Insurance Consumer Helpline is 1-877-693-5236 statewide and toll-free, or (850) 413-3089 from out of state.

This article is general information, not legal advice. The statutes have exceptions that are not all listed here, and your own notice and policy control your situation. If you have received a non-renewal notice and want to talk through your options, The Ritz Agency in Ocala has more information on our home insurance page.

Sources

Bryson Ritz

Bryson Ritz owns The Ritz Agency in Ocala, FL, a family insurance agency with roots in the 1960s, and has led it since 2021. He holds Florida property & casualty and life & health licenses and writes about Florida auto, home, life, boat, motorcycle and golf cart coverage.

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