Last reviewed: October 2026.
If your home is insured with Citizens Property Insurance Corporation and your policy includes wind coverage, Citizens will require flood insurance on all remaining policies with wind coverage starting January 1, 2027, whatever your flood zone. Here’s what’s changing and how to plan ahead. This page is general information, so check the details for your own policy.
What is the requirement?
The requirement is in Florida law, §627.351(6)(aa), Florida Statutes. Citizens personal residential policyholders must carry flood insurance from a company other than Citizens. A separate law, §627.715, bars Citizens from selling flood insurance and sets the standards for private flood policies. Citizens’ own flood page cites §627.715. Both apply.
You can meet the requirement with a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy or a qualifying private flood policy.
When does it apply? (The timeline)
| Effective date | Who it applies to |
|---|---|
| Apr. 1, 2023 (new policies) / Jul. 1, 2023 (renewals) | Homes in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (high-risk zone) |
| Jan. 1, 2024 | Homes outside high-risk zones with a dwelling value (Coverage A) of $600,000 or more |
| Jan. 1, 2025 | $500,000 or more |
| Jan. 1, 2026 | $400,000 or more |
| Jan. 1, 2027 | All remaining Citizens policies with wind coverage |
Could the 2027 deadline go away? Not at this point. In 2026, Senate Bill 1024 would have exempted some Zone X and elevated homes. It died in committee on March 13, 2026, so the January 1, 2027 deadline stands.
Who’s exempt?
You do not need to add flood coverage for Citizens if your policy is one of these:
- Condo unit-owner policies (HO-6, HW-6, DP-1C, DP-3C)
- Tenant (renter’s) contents policies. Citizens’ flood page lists these as exempt. The law itself names only condo unit-owner and wind-excluded policies, and Citizens extends the exemption to renters.
- Policies that exclude wind (windstorm or hail)
How much flood coverage is needed?
The requirement covers the dwelling (the structure) only, not your contents. A 2024 change to the law narrowed it to dwelling coverage.
Citizens says your flood dwelling coverage should be equal to or greater than your Citizens Coverage A (dwelling) limit. If your Coverage A is higher than the NFIP allows, Citizens accepts the NFIP maximum you’re eligible for: $250,000 under the NFIP regular program, or $35,000 in an emergency-program community. Private flood policies can offer higher limits.
Contents coverage isn’t required, but it’s worth considering.
What proof does Citizens ask for?
- A signed Form CIT FW01 (Policyholder Affirmation Regarding Flood Insurance), and
- One of these: – your flood policy declarations page; – a pending flood application with proof of payment; or – for wind-only policies, a qualifying flood endorsement on your underlying multiperil policy.
Under the law, a home that doesn’t meet the requirement isn’t eligible for Citizens coverage, and Citizens may deny coverage.
Timing: plan ahead of the 30-day wait
NFIP flood policies generally have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins, with a few exceptions, such as coverage bought in connection with a mortgage closing. To have an NFIP policy active by January 1, 2027, you’d generally need to buy it by about the first days of December. Private flood waiting periods vary by company. Check your Citizens renewal date now and work backward from it.
NFIP or private flood?
- NFIP: up to $250,000 building and $100,000 contents for a single-family home. Contents are paid at actual cash value. There’s no coverage for additional living expenses. 30-day wait, with limited exceptions.
- Private flood: limits, waiting periods and features vary by company and policy. Not every private policy meets Citizens’ standard. Florida law accepts private flood policies at least as broad as the NFIP (the “standard,” “preferred” or “customized” types in §627.715), and some limited “flexible” policies may not qualify.
Two cautions before switching: – If you already have an NFIP policy with a discounted rate, moving to private flood ends your NFIP continuous coverage, and you may pay full-risk rates if you return. Florida law requires your agent to give you a written notice to sign before that move. – Citizens makes the final decision on whether your proof meets its requirement.
More: NFIP vs. private flood insurance.
Should you look at leaving Citizens?
It may be worth comparing. Citizens plus a separate flood policy means two policies, two bills and two deductibles. Some private home insurers offer flood as an endorsement on the home policy. The only way to know what fits is to compare total cost and coverage side by side.
FAQ
Does the Citizens flood requirement apply in Zone X? Yes. Starting January 1, 2027, it applies to all remaining Citizens policies with wind coverage, regardless of flood zone. The 2026 bill that would have exempted some Zone X homes (SB 1024) died on March 13, 2026.
Do I have to buy flood coverage for my belongings? No. The requirement is for the dwelling only. Contents coverage is optional.
I own a condo. Am I affected? Citizens condo unit-owner policies are exempt.
Can I use private flood instead of the NFIP? Yes, if the policy meets the legal standard: a private policy at least as broad as the NFIP. Some limited “flexible” policies may not qualify. We can review the policy type with you.
Talk with us
McGriff-Williams is an independent Gainesville agency, in business since 1983, and we write flood insurance every day. We’ll walk through whether the requirement appears to apply to your policy, compare NFIP and private options with you, and help you gather your CIT FW01 and declarations page for Citizens. Call (352) 371-7977 or contact us.
Sources
- Fla. Stat. §627.351(6)(aa) (2026): https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/627.351
- Fla. Stat. §627.715 (2026): https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/627.715
- HB 1503 (2024) staff analysis: https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/1503/Analyses/h1503a.COM.PDF
- Citizens, Flood Insurance Requirements: https://www.citizensfla.com/flood
- Citizens FAQ (updated 3/16/2026): https://securesupport.citizensfla.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4543/kw/exemption
- Florida Senate, SB 1024 (2026): https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1024
- FEMA FloodSmart, buy a policy: https://www.floodsmart.gov/get-insured/buy-a-policy
- FEMA FloodSmart, policy terms: https://www.floodsmart.gov/policy-terms
- Florida DFS, flood insurance: https://myfloridacfo.com/division/ica/fullcoverage/flood
General information, not legal or coverage advice. Coverage depends on the policy issued, its terms and underwriting. Requirements current as of October 2026; confirm with your agent, insurer or Citizens. McGriff-Williams Insurance is an independent insurance agency licensed in Florida. We are not affiliated with FEMA, the NFIP or Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Citizens makes the final determination on its requirements.
