Ormond Beach has a storied past—John D. Rockefeller spent his winters here, and The Casements mansion still stands as a reminder of the city's Gilded Age glamour. But if you own a home in Ormond Beach today, you're probably more concerned about hurricanes than history. And rightfully so. This beautiful Atlantic coast city faces some serious insurance challenges that every homeowner needs to understand.
Whether you live in a beachside condo, a historic home near downtown, or a waterfront property along the Tomoka River, your insurance needs are shaped by where you live and what risks you face. Let's break down what you need to know about protecting your Ormond Beach home.
Understanding Ormond Beach's Unique Risks
Here's what keeps Ormond Beach homeowners—and their insurance companies—up at night. The city sits right on the Atlantic coast, which means direct exposure to hurricanes rolling in from the ocean. Recent history tells the story: some Ormond Beach neighborhoods have flooded four times in just six years during Hurricanes Irma, Ian, Nicole, and Milton. When Hurricane Milton hit, it pushed the Tomoka River over its banks and sent three feet of water into homes.
The numbers are sobering: about 63% of buildings in Ormond Beach are at risk of flooding. In 24 out of 35 census tracts here, more than half of all buildings face significant risk from storm surge, high tide flooding, surface flooding, and riverine flooding. If you own property near the beach or along the Tomoka River, your flood risk isn't a maybe—it's a certainty that you need to plan for.
And here's the thing most people don't realize until it's too late: your standard homeowners insurance policy doesn't cover flooding from rising water. At all. You need a separate flood insurance policy, and with a 30-day waiting period before it kicks in, you can't wait until a storm is brewing to buy coverage.
What Home Insurance Actually Costs Here
Let's talk numbers. The average homeowners insurance in Ormond Beach runs about $2,693 per year for a $150,000 home, $4,878 for a $300,000 home, and around $7,000 for a $450,000 house. That might sound manageable compared to what you're hearing from friends in other parts of Florida—and you'd be right to think so.
Florida's insurance market has been in crisis mode. The average annual premium statewide now exceeds $6,000—roughly four times the national average. In some coastal areas, premiums top $10,000 annually. By the end of 2025, projections show Florida's average premium hitting $15,460, a 9% jump from 2024. With the median property value in Ormond Beach now at $320,300, you're looking at insurance costs that represent a significant chunk of your homeownership expenses.
The good news? The market appears to be stabilizing in 2025. Some insurers, including Security First, have filed for rate decreases or rate stabilizations. After years of skyrocketing premiums and insurers fleeing the state, that's a welcome change. But don't expect miracles—coastal properties still face elevated premiums because the risk hasn't gone anywhere.
Flood Insurance: Your Second Essential Policy
If you take away one thing from this guide, it should be this: you need flood insurance in Ormond Beach. Not because your lender requires it (though they might), but because flooding is the most frequent and costly natural hazard in Volusia County.
FEMA flood maps divide Ormond Beach into different risk zones. High-risk zones include A, AE, AO, V, and VE—these are areas where flooding is more likely and where your mortgage lender will definitely require flood insurance. Flood Zone X is considered minimal risk, so lenders typically don't require coverage there. But here's the reality: flooding can occur anywhere. Just a few inches of water can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage, and the cost of flood insurance is minimal compared to what you'd pay out of pocket to repair that damage.
All property owners in Ormond Beach can purchase flood insurance for both their structure and contents through the National Flood Insurance Program or private insurers. Remember that 30-day waiting period—you can't buy flood insurance when a named storm is approaching and expect immediate coverage. Plan ahead.
Special Considerations for Waterfront and Historic Homes
Ormond Beach has a significant homeownership rate of 77.2%—well above the national average of 65%. Many of these homeowners live in unique properties that need special attention when it comes to insurance.
If you own a waterfront property along the Tomoka River or on the beachfront, your insurance needs are more complex. These homes face elevated flood risk and typically require higher coverage limits because replacement costs are higher—waterfront real estate doesn't come cheap. You'll also want to verify that your policy covers the full replacement cost of your home, not just its market value. With coastal waters warming and storms intensifying more rapidly before landfall, the risk profile for waterfront homes has changed dramatically in recent years.
Historic homes present their own challenges. The Casements, John D. Rockefeller's former winter home built in 1913, stands as a reminder of Ormond Beach's architectural heritage. If you own a historic property, you may need specialized coverage that accounts for the higher cost of repairs using period-appropriate materials and techniques. Standard policies often don't cover these added expenses, so talk to your insurer about endorsements or riders for historic homes.
How to Get the Coverage You Need
Start by understanding your flood zone. You can check your property's flood zone status through the FEMA Map Service Center or contact the City of Ormond Beach's floodplain management office. Knowing your zone helps you understand both your risk level and whether flood insurance is mandatory for your mortgage.
Next, get quotes from multiple insurers. Florida's insurance market has been volatile, and different companies have wildly different rates for the same property. Some insurers have pulled out of Florida entirely, while others are trying to gain market share. Shop around, and don't assume your current insurer is offering you the best rate.
If you can't find affordable coverage through private insurers, you may end up with Citizens Property Insurance, Florida's insurer of last resort. Citizens has grown from about 420,000 policies in 2019 to over 1.3 million in 2024, absorbing homeowners that private companies won't cover. It's not ideal—Citizens was never meant to be this large—but it's often the only option for coastal homeowners.
Finally, consider hardening your home against storms. Installing storm shutters, reinforcing your roof, and upgrading to impact-resistant windows can lower your premiums while also protecting your property. Some insurers offer significant discounts for these improvements, and they can make the difference between affordable coverage and unaffordable premiums.
Owning a home in Ormond Beach means balancing the area's undeniable appeal—beautiful beaches, historic charm, and a strong community—with the reality of coastal risk. The right insurance coverage doesn't just protect your financial investment; it gives you peace of mind knowing that when the next storm comes, you're prepared. Don't wait for hurricane season to think about your coverage. Review your policies now, fill any gaps, and make sure you're fully protected before the next storm forms in the Atlantic.
