Why Florida Homeowners Are Struggling to Stay Insured

Skyrocketing premiums. Sudden cancellations. Uninsurable homes. If you live in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, or Hillsborough County, you’ve likely felt the impact of Florida’s home insurance crisis.

The combination of severe storms, insurer pullouts, stricter inspections, and aging homes has left tens of thousands of Florida homeowners scrambling to keep coverage. And if you have an older roof or outdated windows, your risk of being dropped is even higher.

This isn’t just a trend — it’s a full-blown market collapse. But there are steps you can take to protect your home and your finances.

What’s Driving the Florida Home Insurance Crisis?

1. Insurance Companies Are Leaving Florida

Over 20 insurance carriers have pulled out, gone bankrupt, or stopped writing new policies in Florida since 2022. Companies like FedNat, Progressive, and Farmers have dropped tens of thousands of homeowners — many without warning.

Insurers cite excessive litigation, high hurricane risk, and soaring reinsurance costs as reasons. The result? Fewer options, higher prices, and growing dependence on Citizens, Florida’s insurer of last resort.

2. Older Homes Are Failing Insurance Inspections

Most homes in South Florida were built before today’s stricter codes. If your roof is over 15 years old, your plumbing is outdated, or your electrical system isn’t up to par, you may fail a required 4-point inspection.

Many insurers now deny renewals solely based on roof age — even if it’s not leaking. Progressive alone dropped over 56,000 homes due to roofs older than 15 years.

Even with a functional roof, a failed inspection could uncover:

Polybutylene or galvanized plumbing
Aluminum wiring or outdated electrical panels
HVAC systems over 20 years old

Any of these can result in a non-renewal or a notice requiring immediate repairs.

3. Premiums Are Becoming Unaffordable

Florida already had the highest average premiums in the U.S. — now some homeowners are seeing $5,000+ annual bills for basic coverage. Others are being forced to go uninsured altogether.

In places like Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, costs have surged even higher due to storm exposure and tighter underwriting rules. Some homeowners have seen their premiums double or triple in just a year.

In fact, recent reports suggest up to 20% of Florida homeowners have dropped insurance because they simply can’t afford it.

The Local Reality: South Florida and Hillsborough Hit Hard

South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach)

High hurricane exposure
Dense coastal development
Many older homes with outdated systems
Frequent inspection failures and roof-related non-renewals
High litigation rates and past fraudulent roofing claims

Hillsborough County (Tampa Area)

High-risk flood zones
Many properties with aging roofs and older construction
Vulnerable to premium spikes and insurer withdrawals
Considered one of the most at-risk regions for a major hurricane strike

Insurers are flagging these counties as too high-risk to insure affordably — or at all. For many homeowners, Citizens is now the only option.

Common Mistakes That Trigger Insurance Problems

Waiting too long to replace a roof: If it’s over 15 years, get an inspection now.
Ignoring 4-point inspection issues: Update wiring, plumbing, HVAC, and roofing.
Assuming Citizens will always be available: The state is trying to reduce Citizens’ policy count.
Not shopping or comparing quotes: Private options still exist for qualified homes.
Missing out on wind mitigation credits: These can reduce premiums significantly.

Florida Law: What You Should Know

Recent legislation has attempted to stabilize the market. Key laws include:

Roof Age Protections: Insurers can’t deny coverage solely due to roof age if the roof is under 15 years old. For older roofs, an inspection showing 5+ years of life must be accepted.
Litigation Reform: Florida eliminated one-way attorney fees and banned assignment of benefits (AOB), both major cost drivers.
Citizens Rules: If you get a private offer within 20% of your Citizens premium, you must take it.

How the Hurricane Safety Program Can Help

The Hurricane Safety Program (HSP) is built for homeowners in crisis. If your policy was dropped, your premium exploded, or your home failed inspection — we’re here to help you get back on track.

Here’s how HSP supports Florida homeowners:

Coordinates certified 4-point and wind mitigation inspections
Helps replace outdated roofs, windows, and doors with code-compliant materials
Assists with permits, documentation, and insurance paperwork
Connects you with financing or grant options when available

We handle everything — so you can get covered again, protect your home, and qualify for insurance discounts.

Even small upgrades — like reinforcing your roof deck or sealing openings — can earn discounts and make your home more attractive to insurers. Our team knows what insurers are looking for and how to help you meet those standards.

Real Homeowners. Real Solutions.

We’ve helped homeowners across South Florida and Tampa Bay who:

Were dropped because of a 17-year-old roof
Failed a 4-point inspection due to outdated plumbing
Couldn’t afford insurance after a $4,800 quote from Citizens
Needed help navigating grants or getting affordable estimates

Most didn’t know where to turn. With HSP, they didn’t just get a roof — they got guidance, inspection support, and help getting back in compliance.

A Realistic Path Forward for Florida Homeowners

Florida’s insurance market is recovering slowly. Lawsuits have dropped, and Citizens rates are beginning to stabilize. But for now, the burden falls on homeowners to:

Keep their homes insurable
Know their inspection triggers
Budget for storm-resistant upgrades

Programs like HSP are stepping in where insurers are stepping out. We help you avoid policy cancellations, pass inspections, and make your home more hurricane-ready.

If you’re in South Florida or Hillsborough County, don’t assume your policy is safe. Be proactive — especially if your home is over 15 years old.