Question 1

How much does home insurance cost in Fort Myers?

Accepted Answer

In 2024, Fort Myers homeowners paid an average of $7,099 annually for a $300,000 home, well above Florida's state average of $4,419. Waterfront properties, especially on Fort Myers Beach, can cost $14,000 or more annually. These figures don't include flood insurance, which typically adds another $850-$3,000+ depending on your flood zone.

Question 2

What is a hurricane deductible and how much will I pay?

Accepted Answer

Hurricane deductibles in Fort Myers typically range from 2% to 5% of your home's insured value, not a flat dollar amount. If your home is insured for $400,000 with a 5% hurricane deductible, you'll pay the first $20,000 in hurricane damage out of pocket before insurance covers the rest. This only applies when the storm is an officially named hurricane.

Question 3

Do I really need flood insurance in Fort Myers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. Fort Myers has extensive AE, AH, and VE flood zones throughout the area, and standard homeowners insurance specifically excludes flood damage. If you have a mortgage on a property in a high-risk flood zone, your lender will require flood coverage. Even if it's not required, Hurricane Ian demonstrated that flood risk is real and financially devastating without proper coverage.

Question 4

Should I use Citizens Property Insurance or find a private insurer?

Accepted Answer

Citizens Property Insurance is designed as a last resort when you can't find affordable private coverage. While Citizens announced a 5.6% rate reduction for 2025, they actively work to transfer policies to private insurers through their depopulation program. Shop private insurers first—you may find competitive rates, and you'll have more control over your coverage. Only turn to Citizens if private options are truly unaffordable or unavailable.

Question 5

Can I save money with private flood insurance instead of NFIP?

Accepted Answer

Potentially, yes. Private flood insurance can offer savings of 20-50% compared to the National Flood Insurance Program, along with higher coverage limits and faster policy activation. Private policies also tend to have more flexible claims handling. It's absolutely worth getting quotes from private flood insurers to compare with NFIP rates, especially if you're in a high-cost flood zone.

Question 6

Will Fort Myers home insurance rates go down in 2025?

Accepted Answer

There are encouraging signs. Citizens Property Insurance announced an average 5.6% rate reduction for 2025, and Florida's overall projected rate increase is just 0.2%. After years of dramatic increases—many carriers raised rates 15-30% between 2022 and 2024—the market appears to be stabilizing. However, flood insurance rates continue to rise, and your individual rate depends on your specific property risk profile.

Insurance Agents in Fort Myers, Florida (FL)

Insurance agencies serving Fort Myers

Five County Insurance Agency

Fox Insurance

Insurance Agents in Fort Myers, Florida (FL)

Insurance agencies serving Fort Myers

Five County Insurance Agency

Fox Insurance

GCE Insurance, LLC

Gulf Coast Educators Insurance Solutions & Wealth Management (gce)

Harbour Insurance

Harly Sushil Insurance Helps

Harrod Insurance Agency

Iannone Insurance & Risk Management

Iannone Insurance & Risk Management

Insurance Management Consultancy Group, Inc.

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