Question 1

Do I really need flood insurance in Fort Lauderdale?

Accepted Answer

Yes, especially given Fort Lauderdale's geography. The city is surrounded by water and most properties sit in or near Special Flood Hazard Areas. New FEMA flood maps that took effect July 31, 2024 expanded flood zones by 15% in Broward County. Standard homeowners insurance excludes flood damage entirely, so without a separate flood policy, you'd pay 100% of flood damage costs out of pocket. Even if your mortgage doesn't require it, flood insurance is highly recommended for Fort Lauderdale homeowners.

Question 2

How much does home insurance cost in Fort Lauderdale?

Accepted Answer

Fort Lauderdale homeowners pay an average of $8,347 annually for home insurance—nearly three times what inland Florida cities pay. Waterfront properties with canal or ocean access often exceed $10,000 per year. These high costs reflect Fort Lauderdale's coastal location and hurricane vulnerability. Add separate flood insurance at $850 to $3,000+ annually, and total insurance costs can easily reach $10,000 to $13,000 per year for well-protected coastal homes.

Question 3

What's the difference between hurricane deductibles and regular deductibles?

Accepted Answer

Hurricane deductibles are calculated as a percentage of your dwelling coverage (typically 2%, 5%, or 10%) rather than a flat dollar amount. On a $300,000 home with a 2% hurricane deductible, you'd pay $6,000 out of pocket for hurricane damage. Hurricane deductibles only apply to storms officially declared hurricanes by the National Hurricane Center. Your regular deductible applies to all other claims, including tropical storm damage that occurs before hurricane declaration.

Question 4

Does my homeowners insurance cover my boat dock?

Accepted Answer

Standard homeowners policies include limited coverage for docks under Coverage B (other structures), typically just 10% of your dwelling coverage. For a $300,000 home, that's only $30,000—far less than most custom docks cost. If you have a boat dock, yacht lift, or seawall, document its value and discuss additional coverage with your agent. Many Fort Lauderdale waterfront homeowners need specialized endorsements or separate policies to properly protect expensive marine structures.

Question 5

What is Citizens Property Insurance and should I use them?

Accepted Answer

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is Florida's state-backed insurer of last resort, created to provide coverage when private insurers won't. It's not necessarily your first choice—you can only get Citizens if you're unable to find affordable private coverage. Citizens is currently working to move policyholders to private insurers, with policy counts dropping from 1.3 million to under 800,000. If you receive an offer from a private insurer while with Citizens, carefully compare coverage and costs before switching.

Question 6

Will my insurance cover both wind and flood damage from a hurricane?

Accepted Answer

No, you need two separate policies. Your homeowners insurance covers wind damage from hurricanes, including damage to your roof, windows, and home structure caused by high winds. However, it specifically excludes flood damage from storm surge or heavy rainfall. For flood protection, you must purchase a separate flood insurance policy, typically through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurer. Most Fort Lauderdale homeowners need both to be fully protected during hurricane season.

Insurance Agents in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FL)

Insurance agencies serving Fort Lauderdale

Ferencearison Insurance Services

First Family Insurance Agency

Insurance Agents in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FL)

Insurance agencies serving Fort Lauderdale

Ferencearison Insurance Services

First Family Insurance Agency

Floridian Coastline Insurance

Govine Insurance

J And L Insurance Inc

Jacoby & Associates Agency LLC

Mimarce Insurance

Peace Tree Health Insurance

Pettineo Insurance Agency Inc.

Premier Protection Insurance Services, LLC

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