Florida Hurricane Deductibles Explained: When They Apply and How Much You’ll Pay

Originally published July 12, 2022; updated November 3, 2026.

In Florida, your hurricane deductible applies to windstorm damage that happens from the moment the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for any part of Florida until 72 hours after the last hurricane watch or warning for Florida ends. It applies once per calendar year, not once per storm. It is usually a percentage (commonly 2%, 5%, or 10%) of your policy’s dwelling coverage limit, and your insurer must show the dollar amount on your declarations page.

What is a hurricane deductible?

A hurricane deductible is the amount you pay toward a covered hurricane wind loss before your homeowners, condo, renters, or dwelling policy pays. Most Florida residential policies have two deductibles:

• an all other perils (AOP) deductible, for losses like fire, theft, or non-hurricane wind, and
• a separate hurricane deductible, for windstorm losses during a hurricane.

Florida law requires any policy with a separate hurricane deductible to say so on its face, in bold type: “This policy contains a separate deductible for hurricane losses, which may result in high out-of-pocket expenses to you.” (Fla. Stat. 627.701(4)(a))

When does the hurricane deductible apply in Florida?

Florida law defines the hurricane period. For the hurricane deductible to apply, the storm must have been declared a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center, and your loss must happen within this window:

1. Starts: when a hurricane warning is issued for any part of Florida.
2. Ends: 72 hours after the last hurricane watch or warning for any part of Florida ends.

(Fla. Stat. 627.4025(2)(c))

What this means for you:

• No category or local wind-speed test. The law does not ask whether your home saw hurricane-force winds or whether the storm was a Category 1 when it reached you. If the loss falls inside the window, the hurricane deductible generally applies.
• Statewide trigger. A warning for another part of Florida can start the window, even if your county never had a warning.
• Wind and wind-driven rain. Hurricane coverage includes damage from wind, and from rain that enters through an opening the wind first created. (Fla. Stat. 627.4025(2)(a))

How much will I pay?

Before issuing a homeowners-type policy, Florida insurers must offer hurricane deductible options of $500, 2%, 5%, and 10% of the policy dwelling limit. There are exceptions based on the dwelling amount; for example, insurers don’t have to offer the $500 option when dwelling coverage is $250,000 or more. (Fla. Stat. 627.701(3))

The percentage applies to your dwelling coverage limit (Coverage A), not to what your home would sell for.

Example (illustrative only):

Dwelling coverage (Coverage A)	Hurricane deductible	You pay first
$300,000	2%	$6,000
$300,000	5%	$15,000
$300,000	10%	$30,000

Florida requires insurers to print the actual dollar amount of your hurricane deductible on the declarations page at issue and at renewal. Check yours now, before a storm. (Fla. Stat. 627.701(4)(b))

Deductibles above 10%: on homes valued under $500,000, a hurricane deductible above 10% is allowed only if you hand-write and sign a specific statement accepting it (and your lender approves if you have a mortgage). (Fla. Stat. 627.701(4)(d))

One deductible per year, not per storm

For personal residential policies, Florida applies the hurricane deductible on a calendar-year basis to all covered hurricane losses with the same insurer or insurer group. (Fla. Stat. 627.701(5)(a)1.)

If a second hurricane hits in the same year, the insurer may apply the greater of (a) whatever is left of your hurricane deductible, or (b) your regular all-other-perils deductible. (Fla. Stat. 627.701(5)(a)3.)

Tip: your insurer may ask you to report hurricane losses that are smaller than your deductible, or to keep receipts, so they count toward a later hurricane claim that same year. Keep records of every storm repair.

Can I change my hurricane deductible?

Usually at renewal, not mid-term. Two rules to know:

• For deductibles over 10%, changes to the percentage take effect only at renewal. (Fla. Stat. 627.701(4)(d)2.)
• If you had a hurricane loss and then get a lower hurricane deductible on a new or renewal policy, the lower deductible doesn’t apply until January 1 of the next year, and your insurer must tell you that in writing. (Fla. Stat. 627.701(5)(a)4.)

In general, a higher deductible lowers your premium and a lower deductible raises it. The right choice depends on how much cash you could cover after a storm.

What a hurricane deductible does NOT cover: flood

Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood, including storm surge. Flood coverage must be bought separately, either as a flood policy or an endorsement. (Florida OIR, Hurricane Season Resources)

Before hurricane season: a 5-minute checklist

• Find the dollar amount of your hurricane deductible on your declarations page.
• Confirm your dwelling limit (Coverage A) reflects today’s rebuilding cost.
• Set aside savings, or plan for how you’d cover that amount.
• Check whether you have flood coverage.
• Make a home inventory (photos or video, room by room).

Questions about your deductible?

Wellcovered Insurance is an independent agency at 301 N Volusia Ave, Orange City, FL 32763. We can walk through your declarations page, explain your current hurricane deductible, and compare options from the insurance companies we represent. Contact us or request a coverage review online.

This article is general information about Florida law as of November 2026. It is not legal advice and does not change your policy. Your policy’s terms and declarations page control your coverage.

Sources

• Florida Statutes § 627.4025, Residential coverage and hurricane coverage defined
• Florida Statutes § 627.701, Liability of insureds; coinsurance; deductibles
• Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Hurricane Season Resources