Florida Homeowners Guide · Hurricane Deductibles

Florida hurricane deductibles: how they work and how to prepare before a storm

The hurricane deductible is the largest out-of-pocket number on most Florida homeowners policies, and many people do not know theirs until after a storm. This guide explains how it is calculated, when it applies and what to do before hurricane season.

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Written and reviewed by licensed Florida insurance advisors at Allied Insurance Group · Updated October 2026

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Executive summary

The short version

Every Florida homeowners policy that covers wind has a hurricane deductible that is separate from the deductible for other losses. Insurers offer options of $500, 2 percent, 5 percent or 10 percent of the dwelling limit, depending on the home’s insured value. A percentage deductible is a percentage of your coverage amount, not of the damage.

The hurricane deductible applies only to losses from a storm the National Hurricane Center has declared a hurricane, within a defined time window, and it applies once per calendar year with the same insurer or insurer group.

  • A 2% deductible on a $400,000 dwelling limit is $8,000, whatever the size of the claim.
  • The window opens with a hurricane warning for any part of Florida and closes 72 hours after the last watch or warning ends.
  • It applies once per calendar year with the same insurer group; report every hurricane loss so it is counted.
  • Tropical storms and other wind events use your all-other-perils deductible.
  • Flood from storm surge is not covered by this policy at all. See the flood guide

What is a hurricane deductible?

Short answer: It is the amount you pay toward a hurricane loss before your homeowners policy pays, and it is separate from your deductible for everything else.

Florida law (section 627.701, Florida Statutes) sets the framework. Your policy must show the hurricane deductible as a dollar amount on the declarations page, even when you chose it as a percentage. If the page says Hurricane Deductible: 2% ($8,000), the second figure is the one that matters.

When the hurricane deductible applies to a loss, no other policy deductible is added on top of it.

Hurricane deductible options in Florida

Short answer: Insurers must offer $500, 2 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent options, with exceptions based on the dwelling limit.

Dwelling limit Options the insurer offers
Under $100,000 $500, 2%, 5% and 10%
$100,000 to $249,999 2%, 5% and 10%. The insurer may guarantee no non-renewal for one 12-month period instead of offering the $500 option.
$250,000 or more 2%, 5% and 10%. The $500 option is not required.
$1 million to $3 million The insurer may offer 3%, 5% and 10% instead.
Over $3 million The insurer need only offer 5% and 10%.

Summary of Florida Department of Financial Services consumer guidance on the hurricane deductible. Surplus lines policies may differ.

Illustration: what each option means in dollars on a $400,000 dwelling limit

2% deductible$8,000
5% deductible$20,000
10% deductible$40,000

Arithmetic on an example dwelling limit. If your dwelling limit rises at renewal, a percentage deductible rises with it.

When does the hurricane deductible apply?

Short answer: Only for a storm declared a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center, from the first hurricane warning for any part of Florida until 72 hours after the last watch or warning ends.

The hurricane deductible window

Storm is declared a hurricaneThe National Hurricane Center makes the declaration.
Window opensA hurricane warning is issued for any part of Florida.
Damage occursWind losses in this period fall under the hurricane deductible.
Window closes72 hours after the last hurricane watch or warning in Florida is terminated.

Damage from a tropical storm, a tornado outside that window, or an ordinary thunderstorm falls under your all-other-perils deductible instead. Some policies have a separate wind or named-storm deductible; if yours does, it will be listed on the declarations page.

The once-per-calendar-year rule

Short answer: You pay the full hurricane deductible once per calendar year with the same insurer or insurer group. A second hurricane uses what is left of it, or your all-other-perils deductible if that is greater.

Scenario Deductible on the second hurricane
First hurricane used the full hurricane deductible Your all-other-perils deductible.
First hurricane used part of it The greater of the remaining hurricane deductible or your all-other-perils deductible.
You changed to an insurer outside the same group between storms The new policy’s full hurricane deductible, with no credit.
Report every hurricane loss

The state’s consumer guidance recommends reporting hurricane damage even when it is below your deductible, so the insurer has a record of it and can credit the amount toward a later hurricane in the same year.

How to choose a hurricane deductible

Short answer: Pick the highest deductible you could pay out of savings after a storm without hardship, then check what the premium difference really is.

Lower deductible (for example 2%)

  • Less to pay after a hurricane
  • Higher annual premium
  • Fits homeowners with limited cash reserves
  • Lenders sometimes cap the deductible they will accept
Higher deductible (5% or 10%)

  • Lower annual premium
  • Much more to pay after a hurricane
  • Only sensible with savings set aside for it
  • Small and mid-sized losses may fall entirely on you

Ask us to quote two options side by side. Sometimes the premium saved by a higher deductible is small compared with the extra risk; sometimes it is substantial. Seeing both numbers makes the decision clear.

What your hurricane coverage does not include

Short answer: Flood and storm surge are excluded. Screen enclosures, fences and landscaping are often limited.

  • Flood and storm surge: covered only by a flood policy. See the flood guide.
  • Screen enclosures, carports and awnings: often excluded or limited for hurricane unless added by endorsement.
  • Fences, trees and landscaping: limited coverage under most forms.
  • Food spoilage and power outage: covered only on some policies or by endorsement.
  • Wear and tear: a roof that was already failing is not covered. See roof age and insurance.

Hurricane season insurance checklist

Short answer: Do the insurance work in spring. Once a storm is named, carriers stop accepting new policies and changes.

  • Find your hurricane deductible in dollars on the declarations page
  • Confirm your dwelling limit reflects today’s rebuilding costs
  • Decide on flood insurance early; NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period
  • Check whether your wind mitigation report is still current
  • Photograph or video every room, the roof, the exterior and the contents of closets and garage
  • Save your policy, agent contact and insurer claims number to your phone and to cloud storage
  • Set aside funds, or a plan, for the deductible
  • Review additional living expense coverage in case you cannot stay in the home
Binding restrictions

When a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning is issued, insurers typically suspend new policies and coverage changes until the storm passes. If you are closing on a home during hurricane season, bind coverage as early as your lender allows.

After the storm: first steps

Short answer: Make the home safe, prevent further damage, document everything and report the claim.

Florida law generally requires notice of a claim within one year of the date of loss, and for a hurricane the date of loss is the date the hurricane made landfall. Do not wait that long. Our claims guide lists the deadlines that apply to you and to your insurer, and our service team helps Allied clients file and follow up.

Questions Florida homeowners ask us

Frequently asked questions

The amount you pay toward a hurricane loss before your homeowners insurance pays. It is separate from the deductible that applies to other types of losses.

It is 2 percent of your dwelling coverage limit, not 2 percent of the damage. On a $400,000 dwelling limit, a 2 percent deductible is $8,000.

Insurers offer $500, 2 percent, 5 percent or 10 percent of the dwelling limit, with the available options depending on the home’s insured value.

For damage from a storm declared a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center, during the period from the issuance of a hurricane warning for any part of Florida until 72 hours after the last hurricane watch or warning ends.

No. If the storm was not declared a hurricane, your all-other-perils deductible applies, unless your policy has a separate named-storm or wind deductible.

No. For personal residential policies it applies once per calendar year with the same insurer or insurer group.

The greater of what remains of your hurricane deductible or your all-other-perils deductible. If the first storm used the full hurricane deductible, the all-other-perils deductible applies.

Yes. Reporting it creates a record so the amount can be credited toward your deductible if another hurricane hits in the same calendar year.

If the new insurer is not in the same group, the full hurricane deductible on the new policy applies with no credit for what you already paid.

Usually at renewal. Insurers generally do not allow deductible changes during hurricane season or when a storm is approaching.

Yes. Lenders can set a maximum deductible they will accept, so check before choosing a high option.

Yes, though the amount varies by carrier and home. Ask for quotes at two deductible levels to see the real difference.

Only if the enclosure is covered for hurricane in the first place. Many policies exclude or limit screen enclosures unless you add an endorsement.

No. Storm surge is flood and is excluded from homeowners policies. A separate flood policy is needed.

No. According to Florida’s consumer guidance, a roof deductible cannot be applied to roof loss caused by a hurricane; the hurricane deductible applies.

If your dwelling limit increased, for example through an inflation adjustment, a percentage deductible increases with it.

Generally no. Insurers suspend binding of new policies and changes when a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning is issued.

Florida law generally requires notice within one year of the date of loss, which for a hurricane is the date of landfall, and 18 months for a supplemental claim.

Additional living expense coverage applies when a covered loss makes the home uninhabitable. Some policies also cover a mandatory evacuation ordered by civil authority. Check your policy.

They can earn wind mitigation credits when every opening is protected, and they reduce the chance of serious damage. See the wind mitigation guide.

Yes. Citizens policies that include wind coverage carry a hurricane deductible like private policies.

Yes. We quote options side by side so you can see the premium difference in dollars. Start with a home quote or a policy review.

Keep reading

Related Florida homeowners guides

Florida Homeowners Insurance GuideFlorida Homeowners Insurance GuideHow coverage, pricing and underwriting work in Florida.Florida Flood Insurance GuideFlorida Flood Insurance GuideWhy home policies exclude flood and how to cover it.Wind Mitigation GuideWind Mitigation GuideThe inspection form, the features and the credits.Florida Homeowners Claims GuideFlorida Homeowners Claims GuideDeadlines, documentation and what insurers must do.

Looking for something else? Visit the Allied Answer Desk, browse Florida insurance by city, or go back to the Florida Homeowners Insurance Guide.

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Know your hurricane deductible before the next storm does it for you.

Send us your declarations page. A licensed Allied advisor will show you your deductible in dollars and compare options from multiple carriers.

Or call (954) 475-8886

This guide is general information for Florida homeowners, not legal advice and not a statement of coverage. Coverage, eligibility, deductibles and pricing depend on the insurer, the policy form and your property. Laws, Citizens rules and carrier guidelines change; confirm current details with a licensed advisor and read your policy. Allied Insurance Group, 6600 Taft Street #100, Hollywood, FL 33024 · (954) 475-8886.

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