Back Home2026 Hurricane Preparedness Guide
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Insurance Claims
Understanding ‘Replacement Cost’ in Your Home Insurance Policy
With the recent “disasters” nationwide, it has become clear to me that very few homeowners understand that they need to ensure that their policies cover replacement cost for their homes. To ensure that you can rebuild your house at the current market costs and codes, you MUST have replacement cost valuations and insurance coverages.
Whether you are dealing with missing tiles on the roof or a collapsed ceiling, knowing how replacement cost works can mean the difference between making do with quick fixes or restoring your home to its original condition.
Replacement cost is an option you usually choose when purchasing or renewing your homeowner’s insurance policy. It’s one way of valuing the property being insured – so it will affect how much your insurance pays out for a covered claim. Depending on the insurer and the policy you are getting, you may be able to choose replacement cost when insuring your home and roof (the dwelling itself), unattached structures (such as a shed, fence, detached garage, and pool), and your personal property (furniture, electronics, clothing, etc.).
Let’s say a hurricane sweeps through your neighborhood and leaves you with a seriously damaged roof. If your roof is covered at replacement cost in your policy, it means just what those words imply: Your roof will be covered for the amount of money it takes to repair/replace the damaged roof – using new material, of a similar kind and quality as your existing roof, without subtracting any depreciation based on the age and condition of your roof prior to the hurricane. In other words, replacement cost is about getting you back to the way things were, as if no storm had ever happened.
Choosing replacement cost in your home insurance policy for your dwelling and personal property is all about giving you enough to actually replace what you lost, whether it’s your roof, furniture, or the entire home.
How Is ‘Replacement Cost’ Different From ‘Actual Cash Value’?
While replacement cost gives you enough to rebuild or replace your items as new, actual cash value factors in depreciation. This means you’ll get the current value of your items – after subtracting certain amounts based on the property’s age, condition, and how outdated or obsolete it is at the time of the loss. The actual cash value approach might save you some money up front, on insurance premiums – but when it comes time to file a claim, it can leave you filling in the gap to fund repair costs
What About ‘Stated Value’?
Another valuation method is stated value. This is when you and your insurer agree on a specific value for your home or certain parts of it – such as your roof or certain high-value items – before any damage occurs. Then, when you make a claim, you’ll be reimbursed for the already agreed-upon value of the property. It’s a straightforward valuation method and it eliminates any haggling over depreciation during the claims process.
Why Replacement Cost Matters
In South Florida, natural disasters are a part of life. Between hurricanes, tropical storms, and the occasional fire, having the right kind of insurance coverage can make or break your ability to rebuild after a disaster.
With replacement cost coverage, you know you’ll have the funds to get back to normal. The difference in payout could run in the thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. You need to evaluate your risk tolerance and financial ability to restore your property to determine which level of insurance coverage is best for you.
HB-1049:New Flood Insurance Disclosure Requirement
A new Florida law requires people who sell their home must disclose to buyers if they’ve ever filed a flood insurance claim or received federal assistance related to flood damage. It currently applies to homeowners and excludes landlords.
Before HB-1049, property owners and real estate agents selling homes in Florida did not have to tell buyers about a property’s risk for flooding.
It is no secret that Florida has a history of extreme weather and flooding. Nevertheless, sellers were not required to disclose the flood tendencies and risks associated with their homes prior to October 1, 2024. Enter HB 1049, which bridges this gap by requiring explicit flood disclosures in real property sales.
Sellers must inform buyers of the following:
- Flood insurance disclaimer. The form clarifies that homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood-related damage and encourages buyers to secure separate flood insurance.
- Flood claims and assistance. Sellers must disclose whether they have filed claims or received federal assistance for flood damage, including from FEMA or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
For the purposes of the disclosure, the bill defines “flooding” as the general or temporary overflow of inland or tidal waters, surface water accumulation, or sustained standing water from rain.
Property insurance and flood insurance are two separate policies. I have always advised my clients to purchase flood insurance regardless of whether or not their home is in a FEMA designated flood zone. Weather in Florida is unpredictable and with climate change, more areas that never were prone to flooding can now be in a situation where there is historical rain fall in a short period of time. Since we are at sea level, there is no place for the water to quickly disburse and will rise in the streets and lakes.
HB 1049 signals a change in the tides for the Florida real estate market, offering buyers a clearer view of potential flood risks and fostering much-needed transparency in residential property sales.
Tips to Reduce Home Insurance Costs in South Florida?
Are you a home buyer in Florida looking to save money on your insurance costs? Here are some expert tips to help you reduce your home and wind insurance expenses.
Shop Around: Don’t settle for the first insurance quote you receive. Take the time to compare prices from multiple insurers. By doing so, you can find the best coverage at the most competitive rates.
Increase Deductibles: Consider raising your deductibles to lower your premium. While this means you’ll pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim, it can significantly reduce your monthly insurance costs. Make sure you take on a deductible that won’t leave you financially overwhelmed when you need to make a major claim.
Improve Home Security: Installing security measures such as alarms, deadbolts, and smoke detectors can make your home safer and lower your insurance premiums. Insurers often offer discounts for homes with enhanced security features.
Bundle Policies: If you have multiple insurance needs, consider bundling your auto, umbrella, home and wind insurance with the same provider. This can lead to substantial savings on your premiums.
Maintain a Good Credit Score: Believe it or not, your credit score can affect your insurance rates. Pay your bills on time, keep your credit utilization low, and regularly check your credit report for errors to maintain a good credit score and potentially lower your insurance costs.
Consider Wind Mitigation Measures: Living in Florida means being prepared for hurricanes. By fortifying your home against wind damage with measures like impact-resistant windows and reinforced roof trusses, you can qualify for wind mitigation discounts.
Avoid Making Small Claims: While insurance is designed to protect you from significant financial losses, making multiple small claims can lead to higher premiums. Consider handling minor repairs out of pocket to avoid impacting your insurance rates.
Look for Discounts: t’s easy to miss a discount you’re eligible for. Homeowners often have the stress of the home-buying process in the background when they get coverage, meaning insurance could be one thing hurriedly checked off the list. You can qualify for discounts if you:
- Have a residence with no smokers
- Pay your premium upfront
- Pick paperless billing
- Sign up for automatic payments
Remember, every insurance policy is unique, so it’s essential to speak with a qualified insurance agent to find the best ways to lower your home and wind insurance costs in Florida. Don’t let high premiums take away from the joy of homeownership – take action today and start saving!
Hurricane Preparedness Before Your Vacation
As a Floridian, you already know the drill: hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 each year, and certain hurricane preparations are needed to protect your home when storms appear to be heading your way. But what happens if you are some distance away, or even out of state, when this occurs? You can still prepare ahead of time – and a few extra steps is all it takes to secure your home while you’re away.
Performing the following hurricane preparation before vacation will allow you to relax and enjoy family time, or the scenery wherever you’re vacationing.
Insurance Coverage. Every year, you should review your homeowners, flood, and wind insurance policies to make sure you will have the coverage you need should your home be in the path of the next major hurricane or storm surge. Ideally, this is done before hurricane season begins, but should absolutely be done before you leave on vacation.
Home Safety Measures. Whatever hurricane preparedness you might normally do if you were home when a storm was approaching, do before you leave on vacation. This includes closing/installing your hurricane shutters, trimming trees, and bringing in any outdoor furniture or other items subject to becoming projectiles during a hurricane. Doing all of this before a storm is even on the horizon might seem like overkill – but the peace of mind it provides should bad weather threaten while you’re away will be priceless. Especially since you won’t be able to do much from a distance.
Electronics, Water & Gas. Consider unplugging valuable electronics and appliances to avoid potential power surges as the result of a hurricane or tropical storm. Alternatively, you could opt to turn the power off at the breaker. To avoid potential leaks, you may also want to consider turning off the main water and gas valves to your home.
Inform a Trusted Neighbor or Friend. Let someone you trust know about your vacation plans, including when you’ll be away, how you might be contacted, and any relevant details about your home security or other systems. They may be able to keep an eye on your home in your absence should a hurricane develop.
Ready the Emergency Kit. Stock up on supplies you would rely on if you were home during a hurricane, such as flashlights, batteries, first-aid kits, nonperishable food, and an ample supply of bottled water. This hurricane preparedness will be helpful if you return home without power or access to supplies are limited. Store a small version of this kit in your car, and top off the tank.
Have a Backup Plan. Should you be unable to get to your home upon your return from vacation, or if your home is damaged by a hurricane or tropical storm, have a contingency plan of possible friends or nearby locations you may be able to shelter in until your home is safe to return to.
Stay Informed. Even with all the right hurricane preparedness before you leave on vacation, you’ll want to monitor weather conditions from afar, especially once a hurricane or tropical storm has been identified. You’ll be able to make the best decisions when they are informed by as much information – and preparation – as possible.
Beware of Polybutylene Pines in Older Homes
Think twice about purchasing a home with Polybutylene (PB) pipes. Polybutylene (PB) pipes were widely used in Florida residential construction from 1978 to 1995. Billed as a less expensive alternative to traditional copper pipes, up to 10 million homes across the United States were outfitted with PB piping during this period. Polybutylene pipes tend to degrade over time, creating small fractures and pinhole leaks. Any single fracture could eventually result in sudden failure, which generally ends up causing extensive damage to the home. A class-action lawsuit in 1995 resulted in nearly $1 billion being awarded to affected homeowners but the class action is no longer an option for compensation by current homeowners.
Many experts will tell you that PB pipe failure is not a matter of if, but when, and if you currently have polybutylene pipes in your home they have been there for many years. Polybutylene pipes take about 10-15 years to deteriorate, and sometimes you may not know you have a leak, especially if the pipes are behind sheetrock.
These leaks are a serious risk because they can create:
- Mold
- Water damage
- Or even flooding
Ways to tell if you have PB pipes:
- PB pipes used for interior applications are generally gray in color but may also be black. PB pipes used outside may be gray, blue or black.
- PB pipe is flexible, not rigid.
- PBpipes may be stamped with the code: PB2110.
The easiest places to see polybutylene pipes in your home are…
- Near the water heater
- Connecting to sinks and toilets
- At the main shut-off valve or water meter
A home inspection and/or 4-point inspection will determine if there existsPB piping, but only if it is visible. No home inspection, for the purpose of purchasing a home, will open walls to determine the existence of polybutylene piping. I advise my clients to assume that it exists if the home was built between 1978-1995.
If PB pipes exist in a home, you basically have 2 options:
1. Replace the pipes with PEX (a more reliable type of plastic pipe)
2. Wait until they rupture and pay for expensive water repair AND then re-pipe the home.
To replace polybutylene pipes or copper pipes, you’ll have to remove them and re-pipe your home’s entire plumbing system. This will likely involve opening walls and even floors. Re-piping generally requires takes 1 – 2 days, dependent on the size of the home, followed by 2 – 4 days of drywall repair and floor repair and painting to return the home to its original appearance.
I advise my clients to think twice about purchasing a home with polybutylene piping unless you plan on doing extensive renovations. The home may be uninsurable in today’s insurance environment until this work is completed and as a result excludes buyers needing financing to purchase the home.
Pros and Cons of Self-Insuring For Wind Coverage
On average, the cost of homeowners insurance in Florida has gone up by 32.5% since 2016. This is more than three times higher than the average rate change than the rest of the country experienced during this time (10.9%).
More and more of my clients are analyzing the pros and cons of self-insuring instead of carrying a wind insurance policy. Self-insurance entails setting aside money for a potential loss in lieu of purchasing a third-party insurance policy. Depending on the losses your home faces, this could either save or cost more money than conventional insurance coverage.
The logic behind self-insurance is that providers calculate premiums based on forecasted risk. These figures are designed to profit the insurance company by bringing in more money than they are likely to pay out. Under this reasoning, a homeowner should theoretically be able to set aside funds in case an incident occurs, thereby protecting themselves without an insurance company taking a cut. Even with wind coverage a homeowner has a minimum deductible of 2% that they will have to pay out-of-pocket before insurance covers any damages.
All forms of insurance are essentially risk transfer strategies. When you purchase an insurance policy, you are paying a third-party to shoulder some of the risk. If you self-insure, however, you are choosing to retain the risk yourself.
Pros:
Interest: The funds you earmark for self-insurance can accumulate interest until you need them, growing substantially if you don’t have infrequent losses.
More Control: With self-insurance, you’re not bound to insurance policy fine print that contains specific exclusions and stipulations. You can spend the designated funds to cover virtually any wind incident.
Cons:
Potential for Significant Loss: Some types of claims can be extraordinarily expensive. That’s a very risky proposition for most people.
Self-insuring is normally only an option if there is no bank mortgage on your home. When you have a mortgage held by a financial institution, they want to make sure their investment is protected. The mortgage holder will insist on seeing proof of insurance coverage, so dropping your coverage is not typically an option.
How high could repair costs go?
Even for the people with no mortgage, self-insuring is a risky strategy and requires you to have liquid assets set aside for repairs. It’s hard to plan for the financial impact of hurricane damage. In South Florida, we can go several seasons without getting a wind event; but when a major storm hits, like Andrew (1992), Wilma (2005) or Irma (2017), it’s impossible to predict in advance how much damage will be left in the storm’s wake.
You may have heard how construction costs are already sky-high due to material shortages. Just imagine how high those costs will climb if a major storm hits our area. Replacing a tile roof in South Florida is one of the most expensive repairs a homeowner can face. That cost could easily double after a storm. Without insurance, will you have enough cash or liquid resources on hand to pay for that, let alone cover months of temporary housing in this ultra-competitive rental market while you make repairs?
Other Options:
Talk to your homeowner’s insurance agent to explore other options like raising your hurricane deductible (typically 2% in Florida to 5%). Also, consider wind mitigation measures like impact glass windows and doors and installing a whole home generator, which can help protect your home and reduce premiums. If your home is located east on or near the water, hefty insurance costs may simply be a fact of life. The only way to reduce costs may be to relocate to a less hurricane-prone area ( which is not South Florida).
And one final thought – don’t forget the importance of flood insurance. Without flood insurance, you are not protected from rising water. In past years, 25% of actual flood claims have been on properties classified as low flood risk. A small investment in insurance can protect you from major expenses.
Pocketing extra money instead of paying a premium to an insurer sounds like a great idea in theory, but it doesn’t always work out in the long run. The cost of your monthly premiums over the years could end up being less than what you’ll pay for rebuilding your home on your own.
Consulting a qualified insurance professional can help you decide whether self-insurance is a viable option in your situation.
What Is Not Covered Under Standard Homeowners Insurance?
Until it happens, most homeowners think of disasters as something that won’t happen to them. Disasters can be as minor as a tree branch falling and breaking a few windows, or as concentrated as a pinhole roof leak slowly dripping water into a residence—causing mold or other ripple effects. Sadly, too many people who experience disaster on a large or small scale may find the trauma continues when it’s time to file an insurance claim.
You need to be knowledgeable about what your Homeowner’s Insurance does and does not cover. These common held assumptions about insurance are items that are NOT covered and may require additional insurance or riders.
Wear and Tear Is Covered-Myth
Fact: Coverage typically includes damage from fire, weather and theft, not damage due to general wear and tear or neglect. As a policyholder it’s up to you to maintain your home, including making routine repairs and protecting your home from pests. If you neglect to take care of your property ( a leaky roof) you may not be covered.
You’re Insured in Case of Flood Damage, Earthquakes, Tornadoes and Hurricanes-Myth
Fact: Although some weather-related damage is generally covered, such as from hail, other storm related damage from wind or water may not be.
Floods require specific flood insurance from the Federal Government. Earthquakes might be covered, but sometimes they require additional insurance. Hurricane and tornado damage requires a separate windstorm policy. Sinkholes, mudslides and other earth movement (except in CA) requires a separate endorsement.
All Personal Belongings Are Fully Covered-Myth
Fact: Homeowners insurance typically covers furniture, clothing and other personal items, but more valuable items like jewelry and artwork may require an add-on policy. Homeowners should routinely inventory belongings to determine if policy limits meet their coverage needs.
You Have Protection Against Any Injuries That Happen at Home
-Myth
Fact: Your policy’s liability coverage protects you if a guest is hurt in your home, but if a family member is injured at home, it’s normally covered by health insurance.
Home Businesses Are Part of the Package
-Myth
Fact: A home business requires business insurance to cover property damage and liability; homeowners should consult with their insurance carrier or agent to be sure they’re fully covered from disasters large or small
You Can Rebuild For The Amount Of The Insurance Coverage-Myth
Fact: Unless you insured for “replacement value” you may be under insured to rebuild your home. “Ordinance of Law” exclusions may not cover to the changes to building codes and the additional costs of bringing the property up to code if damaged.
Overflows of back-ups from your sump pump, sewer or drain are covered-Myth
Fact: A standard policy does not include coverage for these issues and require a separate endorsement.
It may not seem like particularly interesting reading material, but it’s better to take the time to thoroughly understand what your insurance policy covers than to be stuck in a situation where you’re not sure when you really need it.
Kim N. Bregman