canadafloridaThe reference manual

Chapter 02 · Topic 02.3 · Insurance

Calculating the Florida hurricane deductible: 2%, 3%, 5%, 10%

Deductible = % of Coverage A. Table $300K-$1.5M × 2/3/5/10%. AOP distinction. USD liquidity critical. 80% coinsurance required for full settlement.

Published 2026-04-28Last reviewed 2026-04-29Reading time ≈ 8 minAuthor CanadaFlorida Editorial Team

Direct answer · 60-second summary

The 60-second version

The Florida hurricane deductible is calculated as a percentage of Coverage A (insured replacement cost of the building), not of the loss. Typical choices: 2%, 3%, 5%, 10% per F.S. §627.701. A higher deductible reduces annual premium 15–30%, but exposes you to a larger out-of-pocket after a hurricane. Annual aggregate: the deductible applies once per season (June-November). Calculation: (Coverage A) × (deductible %). Example: Coverage A $600,000, 5% = $30,000. This deductible must be paid by the insured before the insurer steps in. For Canadians: pick a reasonable deductible per your liquidity and budget that amount in quickly-available USD.

REFERENCE · ACRONYMS USED IN THIS GUIDE

Acronyms used in this guide

Calculation table

Coverage A2%3%5%10%
$300,000$6,000$9,000$15,000$30,000
$500,000$10,000$15,000$25,000$50,000
$700,000$14,000$21,000$35,000$70,000
$1,000,000$20,000$30,000$50,000$100,000
$1,500,000$30,000$45,000$75,000$150,000

How to choose

  • 2%: max premium, min exposure. Recommended if low liquidity or advanced age.
  • 3%: classic compromise. Most policies default to 3%.
  • 5%: moderate premium savings (~15-20%), mid-range exposure. For owners with solid savings.
  • 10%: large savings (~25-30%), maximum exposure. Only if you have $100K+ liquid in USD.
  • Also consider: building value (Coverage A), annual rate (more cyclones = better lower deductible), distance to coast.

Hurricane vs AOP deductible

  • Hurricane deductible: only damage from a declared hurricane (watch/warning + 72 hrs after).
  • All Other Perils (AOP) deductible: fire, theft, plumbing leak, etc. Typically $1,000–$2,500.
  • For tornado outside the hurricane window: AOP applies (usually lower).
  • If unclear which deductible applies, insurer decides based on documented cause.

Payment and liquidity

  • The deductible is never paid to the insurer. The insurer simply deducts it from any settlement.
  • The insured pays the first repair invoices up to the deductible, then the insurer takes over.
  • Major hurricane (total loss): $600,000 settlement minus $30,000 deductible = $570,000 paid to insured.
  • The insured therefore needs $30,000 USD quickly accessible to pay contractors before the final settlement arrives (60-180 days).
  • For Canadians: do not rely solely on a Canadian line of credit (conversion fees, delay). Keep a US account with sufficient liquidity.

Total loss and coverage limit

  • If the home is 100% destroyed, max settlement = Coverage A − deductible.
  • Coverage A must be updated annually to actual replacement cost (with construction inflation). Otherwise, underinsurance = reduced settlement (coinsurance clause, F.S. §627.701).
  • If Coverage A < 80% of replacement cost, the insurer can proportionally reduce the settlement.
  • Ask your broker yearly to review Coverage A. FL construction: typical +5-8%/yr inflation 2022-2025.

Formulaires officiels et pages de référence

Responsabilité du lecteur

Toujours utiliser la dernière version disponible sur le site officiel cité ci-dessous. Les seuils, taux et délais évoluent. CanadaFlorida ne se substitue pas à un professionnel licencié.

Editorial team

CanadaFlorida Editorial Team

Research drawn from primary public sources cited at the bottom of every guide: U.S. and Florida statutes, U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, official Florida county and state authorities, and Canadian provincial bodies where applicable.

Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.

Sources and references

Public sources verified as of the last review date (Florida Statutes, Florida Department of Revenue, Citizens, FEMA, DBPR).

  1. F.S. §627.701 — Hurricane deductible and coinsurance. leg.state.fl.us/§627.701
  2. F.S. §627.4025 — Hurricane definition. §627.4025
  3. Florida OIR — Consumer Resources. floir.com

Disclaimer

This guide is for educational purpose only. Figures, rates, thresholds, timelines and rules are drawn from public sources at the date shown and may change.

For any concrete decision, consult a Florida-licensed attorney, a cross-border tax attorney, or a Florida-licensed insurance broker.