THE SUN POST EXPLAINS
Hurricanes, floods and deductibles: understanding the differences can help Florida families identify expenses they may have to pay themselves.
By The Sun Post News Editorial Staff
November 11, 2026
Having homeowners insurance does not mean every kind of storm damage is covered. In Florida, the cause of the damage, policy exclusions and deductibles can determine how much an insurer pays—and how much remains the homeowner’s responsibility.
Confusion often arises when one storm produces both wind damage and flooding. Those losses may require different coverage even though they happen during the same event.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood damage. Protection requires specific flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP, or a private insurer.
Hurricane coverage addresses wind damage under the policy’s terms. It does not automatically include flooding.
| Situation | Coverage to review |
|---|---|
| Wind damages the roof | Homeowners insurance with wind coverage. |
| Rain enters through an opening created by wind damage | Homeowners coverage may apply, depending on the terms. |
| Floodwater enters from outside | Flood insurance. |
A claim evaluation must establish how the damage occurred. The fact that water entered during a hurricane does not, by itself, determine which policy responds.
Does a 2% deductible mean paying 2% of the repair bill?
A percentage hurricane deductible generally applies to the dwelling’s insured limit, rather than its market value or the repair bill.
Hypothetical example: a home insured for $400,000, with a 2% hurricane deductible, would have an $8,000 deductible.
If accepted covered damage totaled $20,000, subtracting that deductible would leave $12,000 before other applicable adjustments.
Checking the deductible’s dollar amount makes the potential expense easier to understand.
Does the full deductible apply to every hurricane?
For personal residential policies subject to Florida’s calendar-year rule, the hurricane deductible applies annually when coverage remains with the same insurer or insurer group.
A subsequent hurricane claim may carry the greater of the remaining hurricane deductible or the ordinary deductible. Moving to an unrelated insurer can eliminate accumulated credit. Commercial residential policies and surplus-lines policies require particular attention to their terms.
Does the landlord’s policy protect a tenant’s belongings?
Tenants should not assume it does. Insurance covering a building does not automatically insure a renter’s furniture, clothing or electronics.
Renters can purchase NFIP flood coverage for their belongings. Standard renters insurance generally excludes flooding.
Will flood insurance pay for a hotel?
Standard NFIP policies do not cover temporary housing or additional living expenses. Some private flood policies may offer those benefits.
Building and contents coverage are also purchased separately and carry separate deductibles.
Can coverage be purchased when a storm approaches?
A new NFIP policy normally has a 30-day waiting period, although exceptions exist. Private-market waiting periods and terms may differ.
Before buying or renewing, obtain written confirmation of the covered risks, deductible amounts and protection for both the structure and personal belongings. The declarations page identifies key limits and deductibles; the policy and endorsements explain the coverage in greater detail.
