Florida home with closed storm shutters as hurricane clouds gather

Florida Hurricane Season Insurance Checklist

October 02, 2026

Quick answer: Get your insurance ready before a storm is in the forecast. Find the dollar amount of your hurricane deductible, decide on flood insurance early because a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy usually has a 30-day waiting period, build a home inventory with photos, and keep your policy and claims numbers in one place. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center. The center puts the peak of the season at September 10, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October. Insurance preparation works best when it is finished before a storm is in the forecast, and one item on this checklist has a waiting period.

Read your homeowners policy before the season

The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) tells homeowners to check their policy and to contact their insurance agent or company with questions or to request additional coverage. DFS also says to check the deductible amounts in the policy.

DFS describes homeowners insurance as typically covering the dwelling including attached structures, certain unattached structures and personal property, with additional living expense and liability coverage normally included. Policies differ, so read your own policy to see what applies to your home.

Understand the hurricane deductible

Florida law has specific rules for hurricane deductibles on residential policies. Under section 627.701, Florida Statutes:

With some exceptions, before issuing a personal lines residential property policy the insurer must offer hurricane deductible amounts of $500, 2 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent of the policy dwelling limits, unless the specific percentage deductible is less than $500.
A policy with a separate hurricane deductible must carry this statement on its face in boldfaced type: "THIS POLICY CONTAINS A SEPARATE DEDUCTIBLE FOR HURRICANE LOSSES, WHICH MAY RESULT IN HIGH OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES TO YOU."
The hurricane deductible applies on an annual basis to all covered hurricane losses that occur during the calendar year under policies issued by the same insurer or an insurer in the same insurer group.

Section 627.4025, Florida Statutes, defines the terms. A hurricane is a storm system that has been declared a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center. Its duration begins when a hurricane warning is issued for any part of Florida and ends 72 hours after the termination of the last hurricane watch or hurricane warning issued for any part of Florida. Hurricane coverage is defined as coverage for loss or damage caused by the peril of windstorm during a hurricane.

Find the hurricane deductible on your policy and work out the dollar amount it represents for your home.

Treat flood insurance as a separate decision

DFS states that standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. FEMA says the same: most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is managed by FEMA and delivered to the public through a network of insurance companies and NFIP Direct. FEMA advises planning ahead because there is typically a 30-day waiting period for an NFIP policy to go into effect, with exceptions for coverage required by a government-backed lender or related to a community flood map change. FloodSmart, the NFIP's website, adds that building and contents coverage are typically purchased separately and have separate deductibles.

Because of the waiting period, a flood policy bought when a storm is already approaching may not be in effect when the water arrives.

Build a home inventory

A written record of what you own makes it easier to describe a loss. DFS and its Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate recommend the following:

Make an itemized list of your belongings, including costs, purchase dates and serial numbers.
Add receipts, photos and videos. DFS suggests dated photographs or video of your possessions.
Keep copies of the inventory and your insurance policies in a safe place, such as a waterproof, fireproof container.

Put documents and phone numbers in one place

Write down the names of your agent and agency, your insurance company, your policy number and the telephone numbers for reporting claims. The claims-reporting number of your insurance company may differ from your agent's contact information.
If you evacuate, take copies of your legal, financial and medical documents with you, including your insurance policies and mortgage information.
Ready.gov advises making sure insurance policies and personal documents are up to date, making copies, and keeping them in a secure, password-protected digital space.

Know your evacuation zone and stock a kit

The Florida Division of Emergency Management says to find out whether your home lies in an evacuation zone by using its Know Your Zone map. It also recommends building a disaster supply kit with items to last at least 7 days. Ready.gov is direct about evacuation: if you live in a mandatory evacuation zone and local officials tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.

After the storm

Document any property damage with photographs and contact your insurance company for assistance, as Ready.gov advises.
DFS tells storm victims not to sign anything before calling its helpline.
The Florida Insurance Consumer Helpline is 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (693-5236).

This article is general information, not legal advice, and it does not describe what any particular policy will pay. Your own policy controls. If you would like someone to walk through this checklist with you, The Ritz Agency in Ocala has more information on our hurricane insurance in Florida page. For coverage the rest of the year, see our home insurance in Ocala 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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