Opening a non-renewal notice or a renewal bill that jumped can be stressful, especially in Florida. You may be wondering whether you did something wrong, whether you can find coverage anywhere else, or whether the new price is simply the new normal.
You don’t have to sort it out alone. McGriff-Williams offers a no-obligation coverage review for your home, auto or business. It’s open to anyone, whether or not you buy from us. We’ll look at what you have, explain it in plain English, and show you your options.
Our Promise: We’ll Tell You if You Should Stay
Here’s what makes our review different: if your current policy is the right fit, we’ll tell you so. Sometimes the right answer is to keep what you have, maybe with a small change to a deductible or coverage. Doing what’s right for you, even when it isn’t the easy answer for us, is how we’ve worked since 1983.
If we can find you better coverage, a better price, or both, we’ll show you the options side by side so you can decide with confidence.
Why Florida Policies Get Non-Renewed or Re-Priced
Non-renewals and big increases don’t always mean you did something wrong. Common reasons include:
- A carrier changing where or what it insures, or leaving part of the market
- The age or condition of the roof, plumbing, electrical or other systems
- Claims history, or a change in your home, vehicles, drivers or business
- Rate changes filed by the insurer that apply to many policyholders at once
Florida law also limits some reasons. For example, an insurer generally can’t non-renew or cancel a home policy:
- Because of claims caused by weather or other “acts of God,” or because of a single water damage claim, unless you didn’t take steps the insurer asked for to prevent it from happening again
- Solely because of roof age if the roof is under 15 years old. For older roofs, an inspection you arrange can show 5 or more years of life left.
- While your home is being repaired after a covered claim, with some exceptions such as nonpayment or fraud
A cancellation or non-renewal also can’t take effect while a hurricane is affecting Florida.
Florida law gives homeowners and owners of residential properties, including apartment buildings, some protection: licensed insurers generally must give at least 120 days’ written notice, with the reason, before non-renewing or canceling (shorter notice applies in some cases, such as nonpayment). Policies from surplus lines insurers, and many other business policies, generally require 45 days.
For auto insurance, Florida generally requires at least 45 days’ written notice before an insurer non-renews your policy. That applies to both personal and business auto. For personal auto, the notice must include the reason. If the policy ends because a premium wasn’t paid, the rules are different and the notice period can be much shorter. Business policies, including commercial auto, also generally get 45 days’ notice of the renewal premium, as long as the insurer has the information it needs to price the renewal.
Residential renewal notices must also show how much of an increase comes from an approved rate increase and how much from coverage changes. If your renewal changes any coverage, deductible or condition, it must include a separate bold-print “Notice of Change in Policy Terms.” Read that page closely, since paying the renewal counts as accepting the changes. Both are helpful places to start.
Don’t wait until the last week. The sooner we start, the more options you’re likely to have.
What to Bring
Whatever you have is fine. We can work with partial information. The more we see, the more useful our review will be.
For your home:
- Your current declarations page and the non-renewal or renewal notice
- Roof age or the year it was replaced, plus any recent updates (plumbing, electrical, water heater, HVAC)
- Wind mitigation and 4-point inspection reports, if you have them
- Your flood policy, if you have one
For your auto:
- Your current auto declarations page
- Drivers and vehicles (including any teen drivers coming up)
For your business:
- Current policies or declarations for each line (property, liability, workers’ comp, auto, umbrella)
- Loss runs from your current carriers. Florida requires insurers to send them within 15 days of your written request, and we can help you ask.
- The renewal or non-renewal notice, and any contracts with insurance requirements
How It Works
- Reach out. Call us at (352) 371-7977 or request your review.
- We review. A member of our team looks at your coverage, notes any gaps, and compares options from multiple insurance companies when it makes sense.
- We walk you through it. You’ll get a clear, side-by-side explanation of what you have now versus your options, including our honest recommendation.
- You decide. There’s no pressure. If you move forward, we take care of the details and stay with you after the sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to buy anything?
No. Reviewing your coverage and shopping options is part of how we work as your agent, and you don’t have to buy anything. If our review shows you’re better off where you are, we’ll tell you.
What if I’ve had claims?
Tell us about them. Claims don’t automatically rule out other options, and being upfront helps us find the right fit faster.
Can you help if my policy is with Citizens?
Yes. Citizens is Florida’s state-created insurer. We’ll review your Citizens policy with you and explain Citizens’ flood insurance requirement. Under Florida law, Citizens personal residential policies that include wind coverage need flood coverage for policies effective on or after January 1, 2027, with earlier dates for higher-value homes and homes in FEMA high-risk flood zones (condo unit-owner policies are exempt). Learn more.
Do you only help with home insurance?
No. We review home, auto and business insurance, and looking at everything together often shows gaps or overlaps, and sometimes it confirms you’re already in good shape.
I’m already a client. Can I ask for a review?
Absolutely. We’d love to take a fresh look before your renewal.
Start Your Second-Opinion Review
Call us at (352) 371-7977, visit us at 3501 West University Ave. in Gainesville, or request your review.
General information, not legal or coverage advice. Coverage and pricing depend on underwriting and the policy issued. McGriff-Williams Insurance is an independent insurance agency licensed in Florida.
