When is hurricane season in Florida?

Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 each year, with activity typically peaking from mid-August through October. Florida homeowners should have their insurance reviewed and documents ready before June.

Can I buy or change insurance when a hurricane is coming?

Usually not. Most carriers put binding restrictions in place once a named storm threatens Florida, which pauses new policies and coverage changes until it passes. Flood insurance is even earlier: most NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period. Get covered well before a storm forms.

Does home insurance cover flood damage?

No: standard home insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Flood coverage is a separate policy, through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood carrier. Storm surge from a hurricane is generally treated as flood damage, which is why many Florida homeowners carry both.

What is a hurricane deductible?

Florida policies typically carry a separate hurricane deductible, often a percentage of your dwelling coverage (commonly 2%, 5%, or 10%) rather than a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 home, a 2% hurricane deductible is $8,000. Check your declarations page, or call us and we’ll find it for you.

What should I do right after my home is damaged in a storm?

Once everyone is safe: document the damage with photos and video, make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent further damage and keep the receipts, then call your agent to start the claim. Florida Best Quote clients can call (727) 584-9999 and we’ll handle it with your carrier.

Someone knocked on my door offering to handle my claim. Should I sign?

Be cautious. After storms, Florida sees waves of unsolicited contractors and offers to take over claims. Before signing anything, especially anything assigning your claim benefits, talk to your agent or carrier, and verify any contractor’s license at the Florida DBPR.

Florida hurricane resource hub

Everything in one place for storm season: getting your insurance ready before a hurricane, staying safe during one, and starting a claim after. Bookmark this page, and when in doubt, call us at (727) 584-9999.

Last updated: August 31, 2026 · Hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30

Before the storm

Get storm-ready before a hurricane is on the map

Review your policies now, not when a storm is named

Check your hurricane deductible, confirm whether you have flood coverage (it’s a separate policy from home insurance), and make sure your coverage limits still match your home. Not sure what you have? Call us and we’ll walk through it with you.

Remember the flood insurance waiting period

Most NFIP flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage starts, and many carriers pause new policies and coverage changes once a storm is named and approaching Florida. The time to get covered is before anything is on the map.

Document your home and belongings

Walk through your home with your phone and take video of every room, plus your roof, fences, and anything of value. Store it in the cloud. It makes any future claim faster and easier.

Keep your policy documents where you can reach them

Save digital copies of your policies and ID cards. If you’re a Florida Best Quote client, your policies are available anytime through our client portal, and you can always call us for a copy.

Know your evacuation zone and make a plan

Look up your zone at the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Know Your Zone tool, plan where you’d go, and build a basic supply kit: water, medications, batteries, cash, and chargers.

Not sure where you stand?

A licensed Florida agent will review your hurricane deductible, wind and flood coverage with you: free, no obligation.

Request a coverage review

During the storm

When a storm is here, stay safe, the paperwork can wait

Follow evacuation orders and official updates from the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the National Hurricane Center.
Don’t attempt repairs or go on the roof while conditions are dangerous.
Keep your phone charged and your policy documents and inventory video accessible.
Our office may be riding out the same storm you are, if you can’t reach us immediately, your carrier’s 24/7 claims line is on your policy documents, and we’ll follow up as soon as we’re able.

After the storm

How to start a hurricane claim in Florida

Make sure everyone is safe first. Don’t re-enter a damaged home until authorities say it’s safe, and watch for downed lines and standing water.
Document the damage before you touch anything, photos and video of every affected area, inside and out.
Make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent further damage (like tarping a roof) and keep every receipt, they’re often part of your claim.
Call us at (727) 584-9999. We’ll help you start the claim and connect you directly with your carrier’s claims team, that’s the point of having a local agent.
Be careful with unsolicited contractors and anyone asking you to sign over your claim benefits. Talk to us or your carrier before signing anything.

Need to start a claim? Call (727) 584-9999, a real local agent, not a call center.

Official resources

Trusted hurricane resources for Floridians

National Hurricane Center
Official storm tracks, watches, and warnings from NOAA.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
State emergency updates, shelters, and preparedness guides.
Know Your Zone: evacuation lookup
Find your evacuation zone by address.
FloodSmart: the National Flood Insurance Program
How NFIP flood coverage works, including waiting periods.
FEMA disaster assistance
Federal help after a declared disaster.
Florida CFO: insurance consumer help
The state’s insurance consumer helpline and storm resources.

FAQ

Hurricane insurance questions

Have questions about getting insured? We’ve got answers. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, give us a call at (727) 584-9999.

When is hurricane season in Florida?

Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 each year, with activity typically peaking from mid-August through October. Florida homeowners should have their insurance reviewed and documents ready before June.
Can I buy or change insurance when a hurricane is coming?

Usually not. Most carriers put binding restrictions in place once a named storm threatens Florida, which pauses new policies and coverage changes until it passes. Flood insurance is even earlier: most NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period. Get covered well before a storm forms.
Does home insurance cover flood damage?

No: standard home insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Flood coverage is a separate policy, through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood carrier. Storm surge from a hurricane is generally treated as flood damage, which is why many Florida homeowners carry both.
What is a hurricane deductible?

Florida policies typically carry a separate hurricane deductible, often a percentage of your dwelling coverage (commonly 2%, 5%, or 10%) rather than a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 home, a 2% hurricane deductible is $8,000. Check your declarations page, or call us and we’ll find it for you.
What should I do right after my home is damaged in a storm?

Once everyone is safe: document the damage with photos and video, make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent further damage and keep the receipts, then call your agent to start the claim. Florida Best Quote clients can call (727) 584-9999 and we’ll handle it with your carrier.
Someone knocked on my door offering to handle my claim. Should I sign?

Be cautious. After storms, Florida sees waves of unsolicited contractors and offers to take over claims. Before signing anything, especially anything assigning your claim benefits, talk to your agent or carrier, and verify any contractor’s license at the Florida DBPR.

No obligation · no spam · no call center

Find out what you should actually be paying.

Five minutes now could save you hundreds a year, and put a real Florida agent in your corner at renewal and claim time.

Get my quote (727) 584-9999