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How Much Is Home Insurance in Florida Per Month?

If you live in Florida or are planning to buy a home anywhere from Miami to Tampa, Orlando to Jacksonville, you’ve probably already heard this warning: home insurance in Florida is expensive. While that’s true, the real question most homeowners want answered is how much they’ll actually pay per month and why the cost varies so much from one area to another. The truth is, Florida’s unique storm risks, flooding concerns, and rising rebuilding costs make insurance pricing very different from most other states.

Home Insurance in Florida

 

How much does home insurance in Florida actually cost per month?

The honest answer is: it depends on where your home is, what it’s made of, how old it is, and how close you live to the water.

In this guide, I’ll break it all down clearly—real monthly costs, Florida-specific risks, what impacts your premium the most, and what you can do right now to lower your bill without risking underinsurance.

The Real Average Monthly Cost of Home Insurance in Florida

On a statewide level, most Florida homeowners today are paying between:

  • $3,000 to $5,000 per year

  • Which equals about $250 to $420 per month

But Florida is not a “one-price-fits-all” insurance market. Your ZIP code alone can double your premium.

Here’s what I see in real-world Florida policies:

Area Monthly Average
Orlando / Central Florida $180 – $320
Tampa Bay Area $220 – $380
Jacksonville $160 – $290
Fort Lauderdale / Miami $350 – $650+
Coastal Pinellas & Sarasota $300 – $550+

If you’re within a few miles of the Gulf or Atlantic, wind and flood exposure alone can push your insurance cost far above the state average.

Why Florida Home Insurance Is So Expensive Compared to Other States

Why Florida Home Insurance Is So Expensive Compared to Other States

Florida is one of the most expensive states for homeowners’ insurance—and it’s not because insurers are greedy. It’s because Florida is one of the riskiest places in the U.S. to insure homes.

Here’s why:

  1. Hurricanes and Windstorms
    Florida gets hit with more named storms than any other state. Wind claims alone drive massive losses.

  2. Flood Risk Is Everywhere
    Even homes far from the beach can flood during heavy storms and storm surge.

  3. High Rebuild Costs
    Construction costs in Florida have surged, especially for concrete, steel, roofing, and labor.

  4. Insurance Company Failures
    Over the past few years, many insurers have left Florida or gone bankrupt, resulting in reduced competition and higher prices.

  5. Litigation and Roof Claims
    Florida historically had some of the highest roofing-related lawsuits in the country, which drove premiums up.

What Impacts Your Monthly Home Insurance Cost the Most in Florida?

From my experience reviewing Florida policies daily, these are the biggest price drivers:

1. Distance From the Coast

The closer you are to saltwater, the higher your wind and storm surge risk. A home five miles inland can cost thousands less per year than one on the barrier islands.

2. Age of the Home

  • Homes built before 2002 (before modern hurricane codes) cost significantly more to insure.

  • Newer construction with impact-resistant materials receives significant discounts.

3. Roof Type & Age

  • Older shingle roofs = higher premium

  • New metal or architectural shingle roofs = major savings

4. Wind Mitigation Features

Homes with:

  • Impact windows

  • Hurricane shutters

  • Roof tie-downs

  • Reinforced garage doors

…can save 15% to 40% on insurance.

5. Coverage Amount

Florida homes often insure for $300,000 to $600,000+ in rebuild coverage. The higher your dwelling coverage, the higher your monthly premium.

Monthly Cost Examples Based on Real Florida Scenarios

Let’s look at realistic examples I see often:

New Construction in Orlando

  • Home value: $380,000

  • Built: 2021

  • Impact windows: Yes

  • Monthly premium: $190 – $260

1990s Home in Tampa Suburbs

  • Home value: $420,000

  • Roof: 12 years old

  • Shutters: Partial

  • Monthly premium: $280 – $360

Coastal Home in Clearwater / Miami Area

  • Home value: $550,000

  • High wind exposure

  • Flood zone

  • Monthly premium: $480 – $750+

What About Flood Insurance? Is It Included?

What About Flood Insurance Is It Included

This part surprises many homeowners:

Standard Florida home insurance does NOT include flood insurance.
Flood coverage is always separate.

Typical Florida flood insurance costs:

  • $40 – $120 per month in moderate zones

  • $150 – $400+ per month in high-risk coastal zones

If your lender requires flood insurance, that cost gets added on top of your regular home insurance.

How Florida’s Insurance Crisis Affected Monthly Premiums

Between 2020 and 2024, many Florida homeowners saw:

  • 30%

  • 50%

  • Even 100%+ increases at renewal

This wasn’t random. It happened because:

  • Reinsurance costs skyrocketed

  • Multiple insurers collapsed

  • Storm losses exceeded billions

  • Roof fraud claims dominated losses

The good news? In late 2024 and early 2025, the market started stabilising slightly—but Florida is still the most expensive state for home insurance.

How To Lower Your Monthly Home Insurance in Florida (Expert Tips)

You do have real control over your costs. Here’s what works:

1. Get a Wind Mitigation Inspection

This one inspection often saves hundreds to thousands per year.

2. Replace Older Roofs Proactively

Insurance companies punish old roofs. A new roof often pays for itself through lower premiums.

3. Increase Your Deductible (Carefully)

Raising your wind deductible can drop your monthly bill significantly—but make sure you can afford the out-of-pocket cost.

4. Avoid underinsuring

Underinsuring to “save money” often backfires during claims.

5. Bundle Home + Auto

Florida insurers still reward bundling with noticeable discounts.

Is Florida Home Insurance Worth It at These Prices?

I’m direct with homeowners:
Yes—it’s expensive. But going without coverage is financially deadly in Florida.

One hurricane can cause:

  • $80,000 roof replacements

  • $150,000 flood repairs

  • Total structural losses

Home insurance is not optional protection here—it’s survival protection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the cheapest home insurance in Florida per month?

In low-risk inland areas with newer homes, some homeowners pay $150–$200 per month, but this is rare.

Q2: Why did my Florida home insurance double?

Most increases happen due to:

  • Roof age

  • Claim history

  • Reinsurance hikes

  • Market exits by insurers

Q3: Can I cancel home insurance in Florida?

If you have a mortgage, your lender requires active coverage.

Q4: Does Florida offer government insurance?

Yes, Citizens Property Insurance is the state-backed insurer of last resort for homeowners who can’t find private coverage.

Final Expert Summary

So, how much is home insurance in Florida per month?

For most homeowners today, the realistic range is:

  • $250 to $420 per month for inland standard homes

  • $400 to $700+ per month for coastal or older properties

Your final cost depends heavily on location, roof age, storm protection, flood zone, and rebuild value.

The smartest move you can make in Florida is not just finding coverage—but finding the right coverage before a storm finds you.

About Del Malam

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Del Malam

Experience

Del Malam co-founded Florida Steel Homes after personally losing his home to hurricane flooding. His firsthand experience navigating the rebuilding process, dealing with government red tape, and collaborating with Florida contractors has shaped his mission to help others build hurricane-resilient homes. His family-run company has over 20 years of construction experience, with a strong focus on storm-resistant building methods.

Expertise

Del Malam – Facebook
Co-founder of Florida Steel Homes – Specializing in steel-frame construction, hurricane-proof home design, and residential project management. Del & his team have 20+ years working with licensed Florida contractors and builders.

Authoritativeness

Featured in Florida community publications for hurricane recovery support.
Speaker at local home safety events and hurricane-preparedness expos. Recognized for leadership in resilient homebuilding practices across coastal Florida communities.

Trustworthiness

About Us
Family-owned.  Extensive experience working Licensed Florida Builders who have transparent practices.