Legal hurricane definition
F.S. §627.4025(2)(c) defines "hurricane occurrence" as:
- Period starting at the official announcement of a hurricane watch or warning by the National Hurricane Center.
- Continues throughout the watch/warning.
- Ends 72 hours after the last watch/warning ends.
So even tornado-related damage during this window can fall under the hurricane deductible if associated.
Hurricane deductible: 2%, 3%, 5%, 10%
- Percentage of Coverage A (insured building value), not of the loss.
- Example: Coverage A $500K, 5% deductible = $25,000 paid before insurer steps in.
- Higher deductible = lower annual premium (15-30% savings between 2% and 10%).
- "All Other Perils" (AOP) deductible = standard for other perils (theft, fire, plumbing). Typically $1,000–$2,500.
- Insured pays the higher of the two per loss.
Annual aggregate (FL only)
F.S. §627.701(3)(b) imposes annual aggregate calculation:
- If multiple hurricanes hit in the same season, the insured pays the full deductible once.
- For subsequent hurricane losses the same season, remaining deductible = max(standard, AOP).
- Typical: Ian (September) then Nicole (November) 2022 — hurricane deductible paid once for Ian, AOP only for Nicole.
Wind-only and coastal zones
- In very exposed zones (Keys, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Miami Beach oceanfront), many private carriers exclude windstorm.
- The insured then buys two policies: private HO-3 (no wind) + Wind-only from Citizens (HRA — High Risk Account zone).
- Wind-only covers only wind and hail; other perils require base HO-3.
- Check HRA zones on Citizens website.
For Canadians: caution
- Choosing a high (5-10%) hurricane deductible only if you have the savings to pay cash. With $600K Coverage A, 10% = $60,000 out of pocket before insurer.
- Plan the CAD↔USD FX needed — savings in CAD may suffer slippage if urgent conversion.
- Document the home before each season (detailed photos, video) to aid claims.
- Keep copy of the policy, inspection reports (4-point, wind mitigation, roof) — speeds claims.
- Major hurricanes: Andrew 1992, Charley 2004, Wilma 2005, Irma 2017, Michael 2018, Ian 2022, Idalia 2023, Helene/Milton 2024.
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.
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).
- F.S. §627.701 — Liability of insured; coinsurance; deductibles. leg.state.fl.us/§627.701
- F.S. §627.4025 — Hurricane definition. §627.4025
- Florida OIR — Hurricane Insurance. floir.com
- National Hurricane Center (NHC). nhc.noaa.gov