Hurricane Isaias, the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season, made landfall near Destin on October 9 as a Category 2 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center. It’s a good reminder for families across North Central and Northeast Florida to take a fresh look at their home insurance.
Hurricane season runs through November 30, and fall is a good time to spend 20 minutes with your homeowners policy. Here’s what we’d look at with you.
If Isaias Left Damage, Don’t Wait to Report It
If you found missing shingles, a damaged fence or a tree limb on the roof after the storm, take photos, make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent more damage (tarping a roof, for example), keep your receipts and call us or your insurance company.
Florida law also puts a clock on claims. Under section 627.70132 of the Florida Statutes:
- A new or reopened property claim must be reported to your insurer within 1 year after the date of loss.
- A supplemental claim (more damage from the same event that you find later) must be reported within 18 months after the date of loss.
- For hurricane claims, the date of loss is the date the hurricane made landfall.
Small roof damage can turn into a leak months later, so if you aren’t sure, ask now.
Know How Your Hurricane Deductible Works
Florida home policies usually have two deductibles: one for hurricane losses and one for everything else (often called “All Other Perils”). The hurricane deductible is the one that surprises people.
When it applies. Under Florida law, the hurricane deductible covers damage during a specific window. It starts when the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for any part of Florida. It ends 72 hours after the last hurricane watch or warning for any part of Florida ends (section 627.4025). That’s why a storm that comes ashore hundreds of miles away can still put wind damage at your house under your hurricane deductible.
How much it is. Hurricane deductibles are often a percentage of your dwelling coverage, not a flat dollar amount. Insurers must offer choices of $500, 2%, 5% and 10% of the dwelling limit, with some exceptions for higher-value homes (section 627.701). Your insurer has to print the actual dollar amount on your declarations page. For example only: on a home insured for $500,000, a 2% hurricane deductible is $10,000.
It’s once per calendar year. Florida’s hurricane deductible applies on an annual basis. If you have a hurricane claim this year and another hurricane causes damage later in the same calendar year, with the same insurer or another insurer in the same group, you generally pay the greater of what’s left of your hurricane deductible or your All Other Perils deductible.
Do you know your hurricane deductible in dollars, and could you cover it from savings? If not, let’s talk about the trade-offs.
Check That Your Dwelling Limit Still Fits Your Home
Your dwelling coverage (Coverage A) should reflect what it would cost to rebuild your home today, not what you paid for it or what it would sell for. If you’ve redone the kitchen, added a pool or finished a bonus room since the policy was written, your limit may be behind.
Florida law requires insurers to offer replacement cost coverage on the home itself (section 627.7011). Replacement cost pays to repair or rebuild without taking off for wear and tear. Make sure that’s what you have. Ask whether you have extended replacement cost or an inflation guard, too.
Look Closely at Your Roof and Water Coverage
Two parts of Florida home policies have changed a lot in recent years:
- Roofs. Some policies now pay roof claims on a schedule based on the roof’s age and material, and some carry a separate roof deductible. Your declarations page and endorsements will tell you which applies.
- Water damage. Many insurers cap water damage on older homes. We covered that in Is Your Water Damage Coverage Only $10,000?
Remember: Home Insurance Doesn’t Cover Flood
Rising water from heavy rain or storm surge is flood, and a standard homeowners policy doesn’t cover it. Flood coverage is a separate policy, or in some cases an endorsement. NFIP flood policies generally take 30 days to start, so it’s not something to buy when the next storm shows up in the forecast. Our flood insurance guide walks through the options. If you’re insured with Citizens, note that its flood requirement expands to homes of every value starting with new and renewal policies effective on or after January 1, 2027 (condo unit-owner and renters policies are exempt) (details here).
For Families With More to Protect
If your home, savings and family have grown, your coverage should keep up:
- Jewelry, art, watches and collectibles. Standard policies limit theft coverage for many valuables. Scheduling items separately can give broader coverage.
- Personal umbrella liability. Teen drivers, a pool, a dock or a busy social calendar all add liability exposure. An umbrella policy adds a layer above your home and auto limits.
- Wind mitigation credits. Florida insurers must offer discounts or deductible credits for qualifying hurricane-resistant features (section 627.0629). If you’ve added impact windows, a new roof or roof straps, make sure your insurer has a current wind mitigation report.
Let’s Review It Together
McGriff-Williams has helped North Central and Northeast Florida families with their insurance since 1983. As an independent agency, we compare options from multiple insurance companies for you, and we’ll explain your options in plain English. Call us at (352) 371-7977, stop by 3501 West University Ave. in Gainesville, or request a quote or policy review.
General information, not legal or coverage advice. Coverage depends on the policy issued, its terms and underwriting. Information current as of October 2026; confirm details with your agent or insurer. McGriff-Williams Insurance is an independent insurance agency licensed in Florida.
