Hurricane and Windstorm Insurance in Sunrise, FL: How Your Deductible Works

In Sunrise, FL, most homeowners policies include windstorm and hurricane coverage, but hurricane damage is subject to a separate hurricane deductible, usually a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. Knowing that number before a storm, and how to lower the wind portion of your premium, is one of the most important parts of owning a home in Broward County.

Is Windstorm Coverage Included in a Sunrise Homeowners Policy?

In most cases, yes. Most Florida homeowners policies cover wind, including hurricane wind. Some homes, particularly ones that are harder to insure, may end up with a policy that excludes wind, which then requires a separate wind-only policy. It is worth checking your declarations page for a wind exclusion, especially if you recently switched carriers to save money.

How Does a Hurricane Deductible Work in Florida?

Florida hurricane deductibles are commonly offered as a flat amount or as a percentage of your dwelling coverage, often 2%, 5%, or 10%. On a home insured for $400,000, a 2% hurricane deductible means you pay the first $8,000 of a hurricane claim, while a 5% deductible means $20,000. In Florida, the hurricane deductible generally applies once per calendar year, so a second hurricane in the same year may not require a second full deductible. Your regular all-other-perils deductible still applies to non-hurricane claims like a kitchen fire or a burst pipe.

• Lower hurricane deductible: higher premium, less out of pocket after a storm.
• Higher hurricane deductible: lower premium, but you need savings set aside to cover it.

What Does Hurricane Coverage Not Include?

Flood is the big one. Damage from storm surge or rising water is excluded from homeowners policies and requires a separate flood policy. Western Broward has many canals and lakes, and heavy rain can flood streets and homes even outside a high-risk flood zone. See flood insurance vs homeowners insurance in Florida.

How Can You Lower the Wind Portion of Your Premium?

Wind is often the largest piece of a South Florida homeowners premium, and it is also where you have the most control. Florida carriers are required to offer credits for qualifying wind mitigation features, documented in a wind mitigation inspection.

• Roof shape: hip roofs generally earn better credits than gable roofs.
• Roof-to-wall connections: clips or double wraps rate better than toe nails.
• Roof deck attachment and secondary water resistance.
• Opening protection: impact windows, impact doors, and approved shutters.
• A newer roof built to current Florida Building Code standards.

If you have not had a wind mitigation inspection since you bought your home or replaced your roof, it may pay for itself quickly. See insurance after a roof replacement.

When Can You Buy or Change Hurricane Coverage?

Carriers usually stop writing new policies or changing coverage when a named storm threatens Florida, often called a binding moratorium. That means you cannot wait until a storm is in the forecast to fix a coverage gap. Review your hurricane deductible, wind coverage, and flood coverage well before peak season.

What Should You Do After Hurricane Damage?

• Take photos and video of all damage before cleaning up.
• Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage, such as tarping the roof, and keep receipts.
• Report the claim to your carrier promptly.
• Keep a list of damaged personal property.
• Be cautious with unsolicited contractors who show up after a storm.

Should Sunrise Homeowners Consider an Umbrella Policy?

An umbrella policy does not cover hurricane damage to your home, but storm season often brings other liability risks, like a tree from your yard falling on a neighbor’s car or a guest being injured during cleanup. An umbrella adds liability limits above your homeowners and auto policies at a relatively low cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does homeowners insurance in Sunrise cover hurricanes?

Most Florida homeowners policies cover hurricane wind damage, subject to a separate hurricane deductible. Flood damage requires a separate flood policy.

How is a hurricane deductible calculated in Florida?

It is commonly a percentage of your dwelling coverage, such as 2%, 5%, or 10%. A 2% deductible on a $400,000 dwelling limit is $8,000.

Can I lower my windstorm premium?

Often, yes. A wind mitigation inspection can document features like impact windows, roof straps, and a hip roof that qualify for premium credits.

Related Reading

• Homeowners Insurance in Sunrise, FL: What Affects Your Premium
• Homeowners Insurance and Roof Age in Florida
• Flood Insurance vs Homeowners Insurance in Florida