For many Florida households, the garage is where everything gets plugged in: the golf cart, the e-bike, the kids’ scooters, the mower and a shelf of power tool batteries. That makes it worth a few minutes to think about how you charge them. The CFO and State Fire Marshal’s office notes that lithium-ion batteries in devices like power tools, e-bikes and e-scooters can overheat, start a fire or explode if they’re misused, damaged or charged improperly. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) says garage fires tend to spread farther and cause more injuries and dollar loss than fires that start in all other areas of the home.

Here’s what public fire safety agencies recommend, and a few insurance questions to ask while you’re at it.

1. Know the warning signs

Fire safety agencies describe the same set of red flags. Stop using or charging a battery or device if it:

• Feels very hot
• Swells, bulges or changes shape
• Has a strange odor or changes color
• Leaks or smokes
• Makes hissing, popping or other odd sounds

UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) adds that white or gray wispy smoke means there’s an immediate danger of fire, and that from the first sign of a problem you could have less than a minute to escape a lithium-ion battery fire.

2. Charge with the right equipment

• Use the charger that came with the device, or one the manufacturer approves. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns against chargers sold as “universal” or as suitable for a general category of e-bikes or scooters. They may fit but still be incompatible with your battery, which can cause a fire.
• Use the battery made for the device. CPSC advises using only replacement battery packs the device’s manufacturer confirms are suitable, and never a pack that’s been modified or rebuilt with used cells.
• Look for safety certification. NFPA recommends products listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. CPSC has called on manufacturers to certify e-bikes to UL 2849, the safety standard for e-bike electrical systems, and e-scooters, hoverboards and similar devices to UL 2272, the standard for electrical systems for personal e-mobility devices. Because these standards cover the device’s electrical system as a whole, look for a certification mark on the device itself, not just on a separate battery or charger.

3. Charge in the right place, and stay with it

• Outside when you can. NFPA and the State Fire Marshal’s office recommend charging large items like e-bikes, scooters and power tools outside when possible, and never where they’d block an exit.
• On a hard surface. Charge on a hard, flat surface such as a bare concrete floor or workbench, not on carpet, cushions or a pile of rags. Soft surfaces can trap heat.
• Away from things that burn. NFPA says to store batteries away from anything that can catch fire. USFA suggests keeping gasoline, oil, paint, propane and varnish in a shed away from the house, and keeping items that can burn on shelves away from appliances.
• Plug straight into the wall. USFA recommends plugging only one charging appliance into an outlet and not using an extension cord to charge.
• Be there. CPSC says to always be present while charging e-bikes and scooters and never to charge them while you’re asleep or away from home. FSRI also advises against charging larger devices overnight.
• Unplug when it’s full. Leaving a device plugged in can add heat and stress to the battery.
• Mind the heat. NFPA advises not charging lithium-ion batteries above 105°F or below 32°F. A closed garage in a Florida afternoon can get hot, so check the temperature, and your manual, before you plug in.

4. Golf carts: ventilation matters

Golf carts can use lead-acid, lithium-ion or AGM batteries, so start with the cart’s manual and the battery maker’s charging instructions. Lead-acid batteries give off hydrogen gas as they charge, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) warns that it can explode if it builds up in a closed space. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue warns that overcharging, or poorly maintained batteries, can release hydrogen gas, which is highly flammable, and that charging in a garage with the door and windows closed is dangerous. Its advice:

• Charge the cart outside, at least 5 feet from the house, if you can.
• If you charge in the garage, keep the garage door or windows open, charge only when you’re home and awake, and unplug as soon as the batteries are full. Don’t charge overnight, and don’t count on a “smart” charger to shut itself off.
• For lead-acid batteries, check water levels often.
• Plug the cart directly into a GFCI outlet, and keep working carbon monoxide alarms in the home. Hydrogen from charging carts can set off CO alarms.
• If a CO alarm sounds, get out and call 911. Leave through a side door or open the garage door by hand. Don’t flip light switches or press the garage door opener, which can ignite the gas.

5. Mowers, power tools and other batteries

Lithium-ion batteries in cordless mowers, trimmers and power tools follow the same rules: the right charger, a hard surface, nothing flammable nearby, and unplugged when full. When a battery is worn out or damaged, don’t put it in the trash or your curbside recycling bin. CPSC, NFPA and FSRI all say to take it to a battery recycling or household hazardous waste location instead. NFPA notes that many stores that sell large quantities of lithium-ion batteries have recycling programs that take them back. Don’t charge a battery that shows signs of damage. If a battery or device has been damaged by water, NFPA suggests asking your local fire department, waste department or the manufacturer how to handle and dispose of it.

6. Set up the garage to warn you and slow a fire

• A heat alarm, not a smoke alarm. USFA says smoke alarms aren’t designed for garages, where changes in temperature and humidity, dust and fumes can set them off. It recommends a heat alarm rated for 175 to 250°F that’s hard-wired with battery backup, interconnected with your home’s smoke alarms and installed by a qualified electrician.
• Working smoke alarms inside the home and a home fire escape plan everyone knows.
• A fire-rated door between the garage and the house. USFA recommends a 20-minute fire-rated door that closes and latches on its own. Keep it closed.
• A fire extinguisher, used only in the right situation. USFA notes that multipurpose “A-B-C” extinguishers cover most types of home fires. Use one only when everyone in the home has been alerted, someone has called 911, you’re physically able to use it, the fire is small and contained to one object, you’re safe from the smoke and you have a clear way out. If you’re unsure, leave. Young children and older adults shouldn’t use fire extinguishers. If a lithium-ion battery is smoking or on fire, follow FSRI’s advice in the next section: get out and call 911.

7. If a battery starts smoking or catches fire

Get out. FSRI’s advice is to follow your home fire escape plan, leave immediately and call 911. FSRI’s research also shows that closing doors helps slow the spread of fire, so close doors behind you if you can on your way out. If you notice a warning sign before there’s any smoke or fire, and it’s safe to do so, NFPA suggests moving the device away from anything that can catch fire and calling 911.

8. Insurance questions worth asking

Safety habits come first, but it’s also a good time to look at your coverage.

• Fire is typically a covered cause of loss. Florida’s Department of Financial Services lists fire and smoke among the perils homeowners policies may include. Whether a particular loss is covered is subject to your own policy’s terms, including its wording, limits, deductibles and exclusions.
• Document what’s in the garage. The Department of Financial Services recommends a room-by-room home inventory that includes the garage, with photos or video, serial numbers, purchase dates and prices, updated at least once a year. Keep receipts for carts, e-bikes, mowers and tools, and store all of these records in a safe, dry place.
• Check how your golf cart is covered. Many homeowners policies limit or exclude coverage for motorized vehicles, and golf carts often fall into that category, both for damage to the cart and for liability. Whether your policy applies can depend on its wording and on how and where the cart is used, such as on a golf course, around your neighborhood or on public roads. Florida law defines a golf cart as a vehicle made for golf course use that can’t go faster than 20 mph. A low-speed vehicle, with a top speed over 20 and up to 25 mph, must be registered, titled and insured to be driven on the road. Depending on your policy and how you use the cart, you may need an endorsement or a separate policy, and either one has its own terms and exclusions. For example, it may not cover a battery or charger that wears out or fails on its own. E-bikes and e-scooters can raise similar questions, even though Florida law treats e-bikes much like bicycles. Before you assume your home policy applies, a licensed member of our team can review how it treats your cart and other battery-powered equipment.

FAQ

Is it safe to charge an e-bike in the garage?
Fire safety agencies recommend charging e-bikes and scooters outside when possible. If you charge in the garage, use the manufacturer’s charger, charge on a hard surface away from anything flammable and away from exits, stay home and awake while it charges, and unplug it when it’s full.

Should I put a smoke alarm in my garage?
USFA recommends a heat alarm rather than a smoke alarm in the garage, interconnected with your home’s smoke alarms, because garage conditions can trigger false smoke alarms.

Does my homeowners policy cover my golf cart?
It depends on your policy and on how and where you use the cart. Many homeowners policies limit or exclude motorized vehicles, and in Florida, a low-speed vehicle (top speed over 20 and up to 25 mph) must be registered, titled and insured to be driven on the road. Some owners need an endorsement or a separate policy, which has its own terms and exclusions. A licensed member of our team can review how your current policy treats your cart.

Let’s review your coverage

McGriff-Williams Insurance is an independent agency in Gainesville since 1983. If you keep a golf cart, e-bikes or other battery-powered equipment at home, a licensed member of our team can review your current home and auto coverage with you, including how it treats them. Call (352) 371-7977 or contact us.

This article is general information, not a statement of coverage. Your policy’s terms, conditions and endorsements control. Coverage options vary by company and are subject to underwriting and availability. Safety tips are general; always follow your device manufacturer’s instructions and your local fire officials. Information is as of October 22, 2026.

Sources

• Florida Department of Financial Services, “Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Blaise Ingoglia Highlights 2026 Fire Prevention Week, ‘Charge into Fire Safety. Safe Charging is a Superpower'” (Oct 5, 2026), accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://www.myfloridacfo.com/news/pressreleases/press-release-details/2026/10/05/chief-financial-officer-and-state-fire-marshal-blaise-ingoglia-highlights-2026-fire-prevention-week---charge-into-fire-safety.-safe-charging-is-a-superpower
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “Micromobility: E-Bikes, E-Scooters and Hoverboards,” accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Micromobility-Information-Center
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “CPSC Urges Consumers to Not Buy or Use ‘Universal’ Chargers with Micromobility Products Due to Fire Hazard” (Sept 5, 2024), accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Urges-Consumers-to-Not-Buy-or-Use-Universal-Chargers-with-Micromobility-Products-Due-to-Fire-Hazard
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “CPSC Calls on Manufacturers to Comply with Safety Standards for Battery-Powered Products to Reduce the Risk of Injury and Death” (Dec 20, 2022), accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2023/CPSC-Calls-on-Manufacturers-to-Comply-with-Safety-Standards-for-Battery-Powered-Products-to-Reduce-the-Risk-of-Injury-and-Death
• NFPA, “Lithium-Ion Battery Safety,” accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/energy-transition/lithium-ion-batteries
• NFPA, Fire Prevention Week 2026 tip sheet, “Safe Charging Is a Superpower,” accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Project/Storefront/Catalog/Files/Fire-Prevention-Week/2026/FPW26_Tip-Sheet.pdf
• NFPA, “Lithium-Ion Battery Safety” tip sheet, accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://content.nfpa.org/-/media/project/storefront/catalog/files/safety-tip-sheets/lithiumionbatterysafetytips.pdf
• UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute, “Take C.H.A.R.G.E. of Battery Safety,” accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://batteryfiresafety.org/
• U.S. Fire Administration, “Basement and Garage Fire Safety” (last reviewed April 1, 2023), accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prevent-fires/basement-and-garage/
• U.S. Fire Administration, “Heat Alarms” (last reviewed April 1, 2023), accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/heat-alarms/
• U.S. Fire Administration, “Choosing and Using Fire Extinguishers” (last reviewed April 1, 2023), accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/fire-extinguishers/
• UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute, “Close Before You Doze,” accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://closeyourdoor.org/
• U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Powered Industrial Trucks eTool: Power Sources – Electric,” accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://www.osha.gov/etools/powered-industrial-trucks/types-fundamentals/power-sources/electrical
• Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, “Golf Cart Safety,” accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://discover.pbc.gov/pbcfr/CRRD/Pages/Golf-Cart-Safety.aspx
• Florida Department of Financial Services, “Homeowners’ Insurance: A Toolkit for Consumers” (perils list p. 4; home inventory pp. 19–20), accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://www.myfloridacfo.com/docs-sf/consumer-services-libraries/consumerservices-documents/understanding-coverage/consumer-guides/english---homeowners-insurance-toolkit.pdf
• Florida Statutes s. 316.2122 (low-speed vehicles) and s. 320.01(22) and (41) (definitions), accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/316.2122 and https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/320.01
• Florida Statutes s. 316.20655 (electric bicycles), accessed Oct 22, 2026: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/316.20655

Short answer: After a hurricane or tropical storm, review your homeowners policy for claim deadlines, how your hurricane deductible works, whether your dwelling limit still fits the home and the roof and water terms. Remember that flood is separate. Fall is a practical time for that checkup in North Central and Northeast Florida.

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). Wind mitigation reports matter mainly for homes built in 2001 or earlier. If your newer home has impact rated windows and doors, ask us whether a report would help. The inspection may be at your own cost. McGriff-Williams Insurance doesn’t do wind mitigation inspections.

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. For homeowners coverage in the Gainesville area, see our Gainesville home insurance page. Call us at (352) 371-7977, stop by 3501 West University Ave. in Gainesville, or request a quote or policy review.

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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.

Gainesville has plenty of mid-century and 1970s and ’80s homes. If you own one, check how your policy handles water damage. Many Florida insurers now cap water damage on older homes, often at $10,000.

Why Older Homes Often Have Water Caps

Most water claims start inside the house: a failed supply line, water heater, or pipe in the wall. Plumbing wears out with age, so insurers look closely at it.

Depending on the company, homes around 40 years old and older are often written with a limited water damage endorsement. It pays for sudden leaks only up to a set amount, commonly $10,000, sometimes including tear-out to reach the leak. The age cutoff and how strict it is vary by company.

On many older homes, buying a higher limit isn’t always an option. If the original plumbing is still in place, some companies will only offer the capped coverage, whatever you’re willing to pay.

Plumbing Updates That Usually Matter

Updates can open up more choices. Insurers generally look at:

• A full re-pipe. Replacing older supply lines, especially galvanized or polybutylene pipe, is often the biggest single factor.
• A newer water heater. Age and location both get looked at.
• Updated supply lines to sinks, toilets, and appliances.

Results vary by insurance company. Some companies may remove the cap or offer higher limits after major plumbing work, and others may not. Keeping records of the work helps show the insurance company what was done.

Keep Your Paperwork

Insurers usually want proof. Keep:

• A 4-point inspection. Many older Florida homes need one. It reviews the roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Our post on what a Florida 4-point inspection checks explains what the inspector looks at.
• Plumber invoices showing what was replaced and when.
• Permits, where the work required one.

Updated your plumbing but still see a $10,000 limit? It may be worth a fresh review.

Newer Homes: Usually No Water Limit, Unless You Choose One

On newer homes, there’s typically no separate water damage limit. Covered water damage is insured up to your full dwelling limit (Coverage A). A cap usually only shows up if you choose one. Some companies offer a lower water limit, such as $10,000, in exchange for a premium credit. That trade can make sense for some owners, but understand it first. One bad leak can cost more than several years of the premium credit.

The 14-Day Hidden Leak Rule

Many Florida policies also exclude damage from water that leaked or seeped over a long period, often 14 days or more. A slow leak behind a wall is treated as maintenance, not a sudden accident. Wording varies. Check under sinks and around the water heater now and then.

Florida law gives you one year from the date of loss to give your insurer notice of a new claim (s. 627.70132, F.S.). Still, report water damage promptly.

Preventing Water Damage With a Leak Detection Device

A leak detection device can stop a small problem from becoming a big claim. There are two main types:

1. Alarm or sensor-only units. Small sensors near the water heater, washer, or sinks sound an alarm or send an alert to your phone when they detect water. Someone still has to act.
2. Automatic whole-home shut-off valves. Installed on your main water line, these shut off the water when they detect a leak or unusual flow.

A shut-off valve is the stronger protection, because it stops the water even when nobody’s home. That matters when you’re traveling or own a second home. Systems range from simple DIY sensors to professionally installed valves.

Some companies offer premium credits for these devices, sometimes with a larger credit for automatic shut-off. Requirements, such as professional installation, vary. On an older home, a shut-off valve can help show lower risk. It won’t necessarily remove a water cap.

Water Damage, Water Backup, and Flood Are Different

1. Water damage means sudden leaks from plumbing, appliances, or AC. This is what may be capped on older homes, or by choice on newer ones.
2. Water backup and sump overflow means water coming up through drains or sewer lines. It’s usually excluded unless you add an endorsement, often with a $5,000 default limit.
3. Flood means rising surface water. It needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy. Florida law requires a flood warning on declarations pages for policies that exclude it (s. 627.7011, F.S.), and Citizens is phasing in a flood requirement (Florida CFO).

How to Check Your Declarations Page

On the summary page at the front of your policy, look for:

• An endorsement with “limited water,” “water damage,” or “tear-out” in the title, and its dollar amount
• A “water backup” or “sump overflow” line and its limit
• Your all other perils (AOP) deductible, which usually applies to water claims

The Florida Department of Financial Services’ Homeowners’ Insurance Toolkit includes a sample declarations page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just pay more to raise my water limit?
It depends on the company and your home’s plumbing. On many older homes with original plumbing, higher limits may not be available until major updates are made.

Does my homeowners policy cover flooding?
No. Flood needs a separate policy, and water backup usually needs its own endorsement.

Can a leak detection device lower my premium?
Some companies offer credits, especially for automatic shut-off valves. Ask when you review your policy.

Let’s Look at Your Policy Together

At McGriff-Williams Insurance, we’ve helped Gainesville-area families with their coverage since 1983. As an independent agency, we can compare your current policy side by side with options from multiple carriers. Each company handles older homes and plumbing updates in its own way, so the options can differ more than you’d expect.

Call us at (352) 371-7977 or stop by 3501 W University Ave, Gainesville. Bring your declarations page, plumbing invoices or inspection reports, and details on any leak detection device, and we’ll go through them with you.

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Sources

• Florida Statutes s. 627.70132, Notice of property insurance claim: https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.70132.html
• Florida Statutes s. 627.7011, Homeowners’ policies (including the flood notice requirement): https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.7011.html
• Florida CFO, Insurance Consumer Advocate, Property Insurance Changes (including the Citizens flood requirement): https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/ica/propertyinsurancechanges
• Florida Department of Financial Services, Homeowners’ Insurance: A Toolkit for Consumers: Homeowners’ Insurance Toolkit (PDF)
• Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Consumer Resources: https://floir.gov/consumers
• FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (FloodSmart): https://www.floodsmart.gov/

This article is general information, not a statement of coverage. Your policy’s terms, conditions, and endorsements control. Coverage options vary by company and are subject to underwriting.