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Florida Hurricane Deductibles Explained

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Florida Hurricane Deductibles Explained in one sentence: the percentage on your policy turns into a dollar amount you pay first after a named storm, and you get to choose it. Pick it on purpose and you know your number before the season starts.

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01The details

Florida Hurricane Deductibles Explained: How the Percentage Becomes Dollars

A hurricane deductible is usually a percentage of the policy's dwelling limit, not of the damage. As plain arithmetic, on a $350,000 dwelling limit a 2 percent hurricane deductible is $7,000, a 5 percent deductible is $17,500, and a 10 percent deductible is $35,000. That amount comes off the claim before the policy pays.

The Choices the Law Makes Insurers Offer

Under s. 627.701, Florida Statutes, before issuing a personal residential policy the insurer must offer hurricane deductibles of $500, 2 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent of the dwelling limits, unless the percentage deductible would be less than $500. The exceptions are tied to the dwelling limit:

$250,000 or more: the insurer need not offer the $500 option.
$100,000 to under $250,000: the insurer may, instead of the $500 option, offer a policy it will not nonrenew for reasons of reducing hurricane loss for one renewal period, with a hurricane deductible of up to 2 percent.
$1 million to under $3 million: the insurer may offer 3 percent in place of 2 percent.
$3 million or more: the insurer need not offer 2 percent.

The written offer must say which hurricane deductible applies if you do not choose one, and the insurer must send notice of the available options with each renewal.

Where to Find Yours

The insurer must show the actual dollar value of the hurricane deductible on the declarations page, and at renewal on the renewal declarations page or the premium renewal notice. If you cannot find it in 30 seconds, send the page and it will be read for you.

Up nextWhen It Applies

Why it matters

Hurricane claims reported in St. Lucie County

15,070claims after Hurricane Irma (2017)
7,340claims after Hurricane Milton (2024)
3,273claims after Hurricane Ian (2022)
2,488claims after Hurricane Matthew (2016)

Data: Florida Office of Insurance Regulation catastrophe claims reports; Hurricane Milton claims data; Hurricane Ian claims data. Claims reported across all lines of insurance, as OIR prints them. Last updated 2026-09-28.

02The details

When It Applies

Once Per Calendar Year

For personal residential policies issued or renewed on or after May 1, 2005, the hurricane deductible applies on an annual basis to all covered hurricane losses in the calendar year, under policies from the same insurer or insurer group. It is a calendar year, not a hurricane season.

If a hurricane already caused a loss earlier in the year, the insurer may apply to the next one the greater of what remains of the hurricane deductible or your regular deductible for other perils. Insurers may ask you to report hurricane losses that fall below the deductible, or keep receipts for them, so they can be counted toward a later claim. Keep them.

What Counts as "the Hurricane"

Under s. 627.4025, the hurricane period runs from the time a hurricane warning is issued for any part of Florida by the National Hurricane Center until 72 hours after the last hurricane watch or warning for any part of Florida ends.

Up nextGoing Above 10 Percent

03The details

Going Above 10 Percent

On a home valued under $500,000, a hurricane deductible above 10 percent of the dwelling limit is allowed only if the policyholder personally writes or types a set statement, signed and dated by every named insured, saying the policy will not pay for the first stated dollar amount of hurricane damage. If there is a mortgage or lien, the lender must approve in writing. Once chosen, that deductible applies for the term and each renewal, and it can be changed only at renewal.

Up nextWays to Lower What You Carry

04The details

Ways to Lower What You Carry

Wind mitigation. When you have taken appropriate hurricane mitigation measures, the insurer must give you the option of a lower hurricane deductible or the mitigation discount. See the inspections guide.
Price the steps. The difference in premium between 2, 5 and 10 percent is the real decision. Seeing all three side by side beats guessing.
A lower deductible offered after a loss takes effect on January 1 of the following calendar year, and the insurer must tell you so in writing.

A Separate Roof Deductible Is Not the Hurricane Deductible

Some policies offer a separate roof deductible, which may not exceed the lesser of 2 percent of the dwelling limit or 50 percent of the cost to replace the roof. It does not apply to a roof loss from a hurricane, and at initial issuance you may be allowed to reject it by signing an approved form.

Up nextQuestions

05Questions

Questions

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Is a 2 percent hurricane deductible 2 percent of the damage?

No. It is 2 percent of the dwelling limit on the policy. On a $350,000 limit, that is $7,000 no matter how large or small the damage is.

Can I switch my hurricane deductible mid-year?

Changes generally line up with renewal, and a lower deductible offered after a hurricane loss does not apply until January 1 of the following year. Ask before renewal, not after a storm.

Which percentage should I choose?

The one you could pay tomorrow without borrowing. The comparison prices each option so you can see what the premium difference buys. Start at the hurricane insurance page.