Home insurance in Brandon, FL
Homeowners insurance pays to repair or rebuild your home, replace your belongings, cover living costs while repairs are done, and defend you if someone is hurt on your property. In Florida the details matter more than the price: the hurricane deductible, the roof, and whether the policy is with a private insurer or Citizens.
What it covers
What home insurance includes.
Your home
The structure itself and attached features such as a garage, up to the rebuild cost you choose.
Other structures
Fences, sheds and detached garages, usually set as a share of the home limit.
Belongings
Furniture, clothing and electronics. Replacement cost coverage pays for new items without deducting for age.
Living expenses
Hotel and extra costs if a covered loss leaves your home unfit to live in.
Personal liability
Legal defense and damages if you are responsible for an injury or damage to someone else's property.
Condo, renters and landlord policies
Unit owners, tenants and owners of rental or seasonal homes each need a different policy form. We place all three.
Florida specifics
What Florida homeowners need to know
Last reviewed October 9, 2026.
- Hurricane damage has its own deductible, usually 2%, 5% or 10% of your home's insured value. On a home insured for $350,000, a 2% deductible means you pay the first $7,000.
- The hurricane deductible applies once per calendar year, as long as you stay with the same insurer.
- A wind mitigation inspection can lower your premium. Insurers must give credits for features such as roof-to-wall straps and shutters, and the report is valid for five years.
- An insurer cannot refuse your home only because the roof is less than 15 years old. For older roofs you can have an inspection done before a replacement is required.
- Citizens Property Insurance is for homes that cannot get a comparable private policy, or where private offers cost more than 20% above Citizens. The same 20% test applies at every renewal.
- From January 1, 2027, every Citizens policy that includes wind coverage must also carry flood insurance, whatever the home's value.
- Citizens stops writing new policies whenever a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning covers any part of Florida. Do not wait for a storm to buy coverage.
- A claim must be reported within one year of the date of loss.
- Every Florida home policy covers catastrophic ground cover collapse. Broader sinkhole coverage is optional and worth discussing in Hillsborough County.
How we help
What you get from a local independent agency.
- We check which insurers will accept your home's age, roof and claims history before you apply.
- We read your wind mitigation report and make sure every credit you qualify for is applied.
- We explain Citizens takeout letters and the 20% rule so you know whether you can stay.
- We pair your home and flood policies so the Citizens flood requirement is met.
- We review your policy at renewal and re-shop it when the price or your home changes.
Common questions
Home insurance questions.
What is a hurricane deductible?
It is a separate deductible that applies only to damage from a declared hurricane. It is normally a percentage of your home's insured value, not a flat amount, and it applies once per calendar year if you stay with the same insurer.
Will an older roof stop me getting insured?
Not on age alone if the roof is under 15 years old. For a roof of 15 years or more, you have the right to an inspection, and if it shows at least five years of useful life the insurer cannot refuse solely because of age. Individual insurers still set their own rules on condition.
Do I need a four-point inspection?
Often, for homes more than about 20 years old. It covers the roof, electrical, plumbing and air conditioning. Citizens requires it for homes over 20 years old, and private insurers set their own thresholds.
Am I eligible for Citizens?
Only if no private insurer authorized in Florida offers you coverage, or if comparable private coverage costs more than 20% above the Citizens premium. We check the private market for you first.
I received a takeout letter from Citizens. What should I do?
Compare the offer with your Citizens renewal. If the private offer is within 20% of the Citizens premium, the policy is no longer eligible to stay with Citizens. Bring us the letter and we will go through it with you.
Does home insurance cover flood?
No. Flood is excluded from homeowners policies and needs a separate flood policy.
How long do I have to file a claim?
You must give notice of a claim within one year of the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months.
Can I buy a policy when a storm is approaching?
Usually not. Citizens and most private insurers suspend new policies and changes once a watch or warning is issued for any part of Florida.
Other insurance we arrange
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