Major life events can change both your insurance needs and your eligibility for discounts. Getting married may qualify you for multi-driver or multi-policy savings and could make combining coverage more affordable. After a divorce, you may need to separate policies, update property ownership, or adjust liability coverage. Having children often means reassessing your liability limits and updating auto insurance as teenage drivers come into the picture. Reviewing your policies during these transitions helps ensure you maintain the right level of coverage without gaps.
Insurance FAQs
Answers for Florida Policyholders
Find answers to the most common questions about homeowners, auto, flood, renters, and umbrella insurance in Florida. Bridges Insurance Agency is here to help you understand coverage, protect your property, and stay prepared for Florida risks.
Homeowners & Property
Yes. In the last 5 years, insured Florida properties have suffered over $15.1 billion of flood damage, with over 150,000 claims filed. Even homes outside high-risk flood zones can flood, with many flood losses occuring in “moderate” or “low” risk areas. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.
Usually yes — most standard policies include wind or hurricane coverage for structural and wind‑related damage. However, a hurricane deductible usually applies, calculated as a percentage of your home’s insured value.
Exclusions often include: flood damage, sinkhole or other ground‑movement damage, gradual wear and tear, mold/rot/pest damage, termite damage, long-term maintenance neglect, and sometimes high-value items (unless separately scheduled).
You might reduce premiums or improve coverage stability by installing wind mitigation features (impact‑resistant windows, storm shutters, reinforced roof, etc.), maintaining your home (roof condition, plumbing, electrical), and avoiding frequent claims.
You should contact Bridges Insurance Agency promptly to explore replacement coverage. Especially after storms or during “hard market” cycles, having an agent who knows the market is critical to avoid coverage gaps.
A “loss of use” claim, also known as Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage, reimburses you for the extra costs of living elsewhere if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss, such as storm or fire damage. This can include temporary housing, meals, and other necessary expenses beyond your normal living costs. In Florida, it typically applies after damage from hurricanes, windstorms, fire, or other covered perils that prevent you from safely living in your home.
Home renovations, additions, or major improvements are not automatically fully covered under your existing homeowners insurance policy. You should update your policy to reflect the increased value of your home and any new structures. Failing to do so could result in insufficient coverage if a loss occurs, leaving you responsible for the difference. Always notify your insurance agent after significant upgrades or expansions to ensure your coverage limits are adequate.
In Florida, your roof’s age, condition, and construction type have a significant impact on homeowners insurance rates and coverage. Older roofs, or those made with materials that are less wind- or impact-resistant, may lead to higher premiums or even coverage restrictions. Insurance companies may require inspections and could offer discounts for newer roofs or roofs with wind mitigation features such as reinforced shingles, metal roofs, or impact-resistant materials. Keeping your roof in good condition helps protect your home and may reduce costs.
You should review your homeowners insurance policy at least once a year or whenever your circumstances change. This includes buying a new home, completing major renovations or additions, purchasing high-value items, or experiencing changes in your household. Regular reviews ensure your coverage limits are adequate, your policy reflects your home’s current value, and you’re protected against gaps in coverage.
Insurance companies calculate your home’s value using factors like the size, age, construction type, location, roof condition, and local building costs. In Florida, coastal proximity, hurricane risk, and flood zones can also affect replacement cost estimates and premiums. Carriers may require professional appraisals or use replacement cost estimators to ensure your coverage is sufficient.
Auto & Vehicle
Florida law requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL). For broader protection, it’s wise to also carry Bodily Injury Liability (BI), Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM), and Comprehensive/Collision coverage, especially given Florida’s high number of uninsured drivers and risk of weather-related damage.
Florida law requires all auto insurance policies to include Personal Injury Protection (PIP) with a minimum of $10,000 per person. PIP covers medical expenses, lost wages, and certain other costs if you’re injured in a car accident, regardless of who caused it. This is part of Florida’s no-fault system, designed to provide faster medical payments without waiting for liability determinations.
Collision coverage pays for damage to your own vehicle resulting from a collision with another car or object, regardless of who is at fault. Comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, protects your car from non-collision events, such as theft, fire, flooding, hurricanes, falling objects, or vandalism.
Only if you have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive protects against non-collision events such as flood, windstorm, falling debris, theft, and other perils beyond crashes.
If your policy includes UM/UIM coverage, your insurer may cover your injuries and damages up to your policy limit. Given that a significant portion of Florida drivers are uninsured or underinsured, this coverage is strongly recommended.
After a car accident, safety should always be the first priority. Ensure everyone involved is safe and call 911 if needed. Document the scene thoroughly with photographs and gather information from witnesses and other drivers. Exchange insurance information and contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to report the claim. Prompt reporting and thorough documentation can help expedite the claims process and ensure you receive the coverage you need.
Auto insurance premiums in Florida are determined by a combination of factors, including your driving history, age, gender, the type of vehicle you drive, your coverage limits, and the chosen deductibles. Other considerations include your location, claims history, and whether your home or vehicles are located in areas prone to flooding or hurricane damage. Insurers use this information to evaluate your risk level, which directly influences your premium. Maintaining a clean driving record and making safety improvements can help lower your rates over time.
If you drive someone else’s car with their permission, your liability coverage may extend to cover injuries or damage you cause to others. However, physical damage coverage for the vehicle may rely on the owner’s insurance policy, and limits may differ from your own coverage. It is important to check with your insurer before driving a non-owned vehicle to understand what protection applies and whether additional coverage is needed.
Standard auto insurance may provide limited or no coverage for custom parts or aftermarket modifications. If you have added specialty equipment, performance enhancements, or custom interiors, you may need to add an endorsement or separate coverage to protect those items. Discussing modifications with your insurance agent ensures you have proper protection and prevents surprises in the event of a claim.
You can lower your premiums by maintaining a clean driving record, taking advantage of multi-car or bundle discounts, installing safety features on your vehicle, completing defensive driving courses, and shopping around for competitive quotes. These strategies help reduce risk for insurers while keeping your coverage comprehensive, ensuring you don’t sacrifice protection for affordability.
Yes. Classic, vintage, or collectible cars are often insured with agreed value policies rather than standard auto coverage. These policies pay the agreed-upon value if the car is totaled, instead of actual cash value. Usage limits, storage requirements, and appraisals are typically part of the coverage. This is important in Florida due to high risk from storms, accidents, and theft.
General & Miscellaneous
Replacement cost coverage pays to repair or rebuild your home or replace personal property at today’s market price without deducting for depreciation. Actual cash value (ACV) coverage, on the other hand, factors in depreciation, meaning you may receive less than the cost to replace damaged items or property. Florida homeowners often prefer replacement cost coverage due to high rebuilding costs after hurricanes and storms.
Umbrella insurance is ideal for anyone seeking extra liability protection beyond their standard homeowners, renters, or auto policies. It provides additional coverage for lawsuits, legal fees, or large claims that exceed your policy limits. Families with teen drivers, landlords, and homeowners with significant assets often find umbrella coverage particularly valuable.
Most insurers require you to have a primary liability policy on a home, renters, or auto policy before adding umbrella coverage. In Florida, this ensures that your primary insurance handles standard claims first, while the umbrella policy provides additional protection for larger or more complex liability situations.
Renters insurance protects your personal belongings and provides liability coverage if someone is injured in your rental unit. Even in a low-risk area, Florida residents face risks from theft, fire, or wind damage, making renters insurance an affordable way to avoid significant out-of-pocket losses.
High-value items such as jewelry, watches, and art often exceed standard policy limits. Florida residents can add endorsements or separate policies to ensure adequate protection for theft, loss, or damage. This is especially relevant for items frequently taken off-premises or in areas with higher theft rates.
Standard homeowners or auto policies rarely cover watercraft, motorcycles, or other recreational vehicles. Florida residents should consider specialized marine or recreational vehicle insurance to protect against theft, collisions, or storm damage, especially if financed or docked in a marina.
Life changes such as home renovations, acquiring valuable property, adding drivers, or changing living arrangements can impact coverage needs. Florida residents should review policies annually or after significant events and contact their agent to ensure limits and protections remain appropriate.
Hurricane season in Florida, which runs from June 1 to November 30, can impact both your insurance coverage and the claims process. During active storms, some insurers may temporarily stop writing new policies or limit coverage until conditions stabilize, so it’s important to secure or review your coverage well before a hurricane threat arises. Additionally, the high volume of claims following a storm can slow the claims process. Preparing in advance—documenting your property, understanding your deductibles, and confirming coverage—helps ensure you can file claims efficiently and receive timely assistance if damage occurs.
Yes. In Florida, insurance rates change frequently, and carriers shift in and out of being competitive based on market conditions, reinsurance costs, hurricane exposure, and underwriting appetite. This means one company may offer the best price this year, while another may be far more competitive at your next renewal. Shopping your insurance—especially at renewal or after major rate changes—can sometimes help you find lower premiums with the same or even better coverage.
Have More Questions?
Contact us for answers to all of your Florida insurance questions.