Hurricane and named-storm damage
Direct damage to the home from hurricane-force winds, named tropical storms, and associated wind events, subject to the hurricane deductible.
Wind & Hurricane Insurance
Wind & Hurricane Insurance in Florida and Georgia
Wind and hurricane coverage built into your homeowners policy where available, and standalone wind-only policies (through Citizens or other carriers) where the private market won't include wind. We explain the hurricane deductible, wind mitigation credits, and when a separate wind policy is the right (or only) option.
Why this matters
Wind is usually part of homeowners. Sometimes it has to be its own policy.
Most Florida and Georgia homeowners policies include wind and hurricane coverage as part of standard protection, subject to a separate hurricane deductible. But in some Florida coastal areas, particularly closer to the water, private carriers exclude wind from the homeowners policy and the homeowner has to buy a separate wind-only policy (typically through Citizens Property Insurance) to cover that exposure. The two policies together cover the same property; they just split wind from everything else.
Whether you're insuring a coastal home where wind has to be split off, weighing a higher or lower hurricane deductible, scheduling a wind mitigation inspection before renewal, or just trying to understand what your existing homeowners actually covers when a hurricane is forming, we'll walk through the wind side specifically and explain where the hurricane deductible and mitigation credits will affect both pricing and the claim outcome.
What's covered
What wind and hurricane coverage includes.
Non-hurricane wind damage
Damage from severe thunderstorms, straight-line wind storms, tornadoes, and other non-hurricane wind events, typically subject to the standard all-perils deductible.
Roof and exterior damage
Damage to roof covering, siding, soffits, windows, and exterior structures from wind. The most common claim type under wind coverage, with claim handling tied to roof age and condition.
Wind-driven rain through openings
Rain entering the home through wind-created openings (a broken window, blown-off roof tiles, a damaged door) is generally covered as a consequence of the wind damage.
Other structures from wind
Detached garages, fences, sheds, awnings, screen rooms, and similar attached or detached structures damaged by wind, subject to the same deductible structure.
Fallen tree damage
Damage to the home from a tree falling during a wind event, plus tree removal costs up to a sublimit. Common during hurricanes and severe storms.
Gaps
What wind and hurricane coverage doesn't cover.
Flood and storm surge
Storm surge and flooding from a hurricane are flood damage, not wind damage, and are excluded from wind and hurricane coverage. Flood requires a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
Wind-driven rain through intact structures
Rain entering through pre-existing gaps, deferred maintenance, or an otherwise intact building (without a wind-created opening) is typically not covered.
Routine wear and aged roof damage
Damage attributable to wear, age, or deferred maintenance is not covered as wind damage. Aging roofs that fail during a storm can result in claim disputes about cause, which is why roof age matters in underwriting.
Mold beyond the policy sublimit
Mold from a covered wind loss is generally limited to a sublimit. Extensive mold remediation after a storm often exceeds the cap, and post-storm drying speed matters significantly to claim outcomes.
Damage during mandatory evacuation
Damage from theft or other non-wind causes during an evacuation is typically not part of wind coverage. The standard homeowners or wind policy still applies, but the deductible structure for a non-wind cause is different.
Loss beyond the policy limit
Hurricanes can cause damage exceeding the dwelling limit, especially on coastal properties. Increased Cost of Compliance (on flood) and similar add-ons exist for flood, but wind has no equivalent automatic increase. Dwelling coverage needs to reflect full replacement cost.
State knowledge
What to know about wind insurance in Florida and Georgia.
Florida
HVHZ in Miami-Dade + Broward
Mitigation credits required
Citizens wind-only common
Florida's wind insurance market is structured around hurricane exposure. The Florida Building Code defines a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) primarily covering Miami-Dade and Broward counties, where stricter construction standards apply. Beyond HVHZ, Florida has additional wind exposure categories that affect both pricing and which carriers will write the property. Florida law requires carriers to offer wind mitigation credits documented on a Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection form, which substantially reduces the wind portion of premium for qualifying homes. In coastal areas where private carriers exclude wind, Citizens Property Insurance writes wind-only policies to fill the gap.
Georgia
No mandatory hurricane deductible
Tornado and hail exposure
Wind usually included
Georgia's wind market is more straightforward. Wind is typically included in standard homeowners coverage statewide, without a separate hurricane deductible in most policies. Tornadoes, hail, and straight-line wind storms are more common claim mechanisms than hurricanes in northern Georgia, but coastal Georgia counties do face hurricane exposure. We write homeowners in both states from our offices in Saint Augustine and Saint Johns.
Limits
Coverage limits to consider.
The first question on wind is whether your homeowners carrier writes the wind portion at all. For most Florida properties, the answer is yes: wind and hurricane are included in the standard homeowners policy, with a separate hurricane deductible applied when a named storm causes the damage. For some coastal properties, the answer is no: private carriers exclude wind, and a separate wind-only policy (typically Citizens) is required to cover that exposure. The two-policy approach is more administrative work but produces equivalent coverage on the property.
The hurricane deductible is the most consequential decision on a Florida wind or homeowners policy. Common options are 2%, 5%, or 10% of Coverage A. A 2% deductible costs more in premium but means less out of pocket after a storm. A 5% or 10% deductible saves on premium but means a substantially larger payment if a hurricane causes damage. We walk through the math against the property's actual replacement cost during the coverage review.
Wind mitigation credits are not optional from the carrier's side: Florida law requires them to be offered for documented features. A current wind mitigation inspection (Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection form) is the only way to claim the credits. Credits stack across features (roof shape, roof deck attachment, secondary water resistance, opening protection, roof covering, roof-to-wall connections), and the difference between a property with no documented mitigation and one with full credits is often substantial.
Roof age affects wind coverage availability and how the claim is paid. Many carriers won't write or renew policies with asphalt shingle roofs over 15 years (sometimes 20) or tile/metal roofs over 25 years, and some pay actual cash value (depreciated) instead of replacement cost on older roofs. Roof replacement is often the most direct way to restore eligibility and produce mitigation credits.
Standard for most properties
Wind in homeowners
Wind and hurricane coverage included in the standard homeowners policy, with a separate hurricane deductible. The default for most Florida and Georgia properties outside coastal high-risk zones.
Coastal high-risk zones
Wind-only policy
A standalone wind-only policy (often through Citizens Property Insurance) paired with an "ex-wind" homeowners policy. Required where private carriers exclude wind from the homeowners coverage.
Common scenarios
Situations that change your wind coverage.
Buying a coastal home
In coastal high-risk zones, the standard homeowners market may exclude wind. We can quote the wind-only and ex-wind structure before closing so the combined cost is known up front.
Approaching hurricane season
Hurricane deductibles, wind mitigation credits, and roof condition all matter most before June 1. We review the wind side of your coverage and address any underwriting issues ahead of the season.
Replacing the roof
A new roof produces wind mitigation credits and often restores eligibility with carriers that wouldn't write the older roof. Update the policy and re-shop after replacement.
Adding hurricane shutters or impact windows
Opening protection is one of the largest wind mitigation credit categories. Adding it usually justifies a new wind mitigation inspection to update the credits on the policy.
Non-renewal from your current wind carrier
If your current carrier non-renews the wind portion, we shop the standard market first and route to Citizens wind-only if no private option is available. We don't let coverage lapse during the transition.
Re-pricing the hurricane deductible
Moving from a 10% to a 5% deductible (or vice versa) is one of the largest premium levers available. We model the premium difference against your ability to absorb the deductible after a storm.
Premium and discounts
What goes into your wind premium.
What affects your premium
Wind premiums in Florida depend heavily on the property's wind exposure: distance to the coast, the wind zone the property sits in, and whether the property is in HVHZ or another high-risk area. The dwelling value, construction type, year built, and roof characteristics (age, shape, material, attachment method) are the next major factors. A 1990s home with a 12-year-old asphalt shingle roof rates very differently from a 2020 home with a hip roof, hurricane straps, and impact windows even at the same dwelling value.
The hurricane deductible percentage you choose is one of the largest single premium levers. A 10% deductible can produce significant premium savings against a 2%, but means a much larger payment after a storm. Florida law also requires wind mitigation credits for documented construction features, which is why a current wind mitigation inspection matters so much for the wind portion of premium.
No two carriers weight these factors the same way. Some carriers are aggressive on coastal wind exposure; others avoid it. The market changes year to year as carriers adjust appetite, and the right carrier today is not always the right carrier next year. We re-shop at renewal when it makes sense.
Wind mitigation credits
Wind mitigation credits are the single biggest premium lever on a Florida wind policy. Florida law requires carriers to offer them for features documented on a current Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection form. The credits stack across features.
Roof shape (hip vs gable)
Hip roofs (all sides slope inward) shed wind better than gable roofs and produce a significant credit. The credit is structural and doesn't require any modification to existing hip roofs.
Roof deck attachment and roof-to-wall
How the roof is attached to the building (toe-nail, clips, single wraps, double wraps) and how the deck is fastened both carry credits. Verified by inspection.
Opening protection
Impact-rated windows, accordion shutters, panel shutters, or other wind-rated opening protection produce one of the largest individual credits. Partial opening protection produces partial credit.
Roof covering and secondary water resistance
Roof coverings meeting current Florida Building Code standards, plus secondary water resistance (a sealed roof deck), each carry separate credits documented on the inspection.
Standard discounts (multi-policy bundling, paid-in-full, autopay) also apply on the wind side. A current wind mitigation inspection is the most direct path to reducing wind premium, and the inspection cost is usually recovered in the first renewal.
Decisions
When you actually need each coverage.
Do I need a separate wind-only policy?
Most properties don't. Wind is included in the standard homeowners policy across most of Florida and Georgia. In coastal high-risk areas where private carriers exclude wind, a separate wind-only policy (typically Citizens Property Insurance) plus an "ex-wind" homeowners policy covers the same exposure as two policies. We check which carriers will or won't include wind on your specific property before recommending a structure.
What hurricane deductible should I choose?
The hurricane deductible is one of the most impactful decisions on a Florida policy. A 2% deductible costs more in premium but means less out of pocket after a storm. A 5% or 10% deductible saves on premium but means a substantially larger payment if a named storm causes damage. Pick a deductible you could comfortably absorb after a storm caused a covered loss. For most Florida homeowners, this is a personal-finance decision more than an insurance one.
Is a wind mitigation inspection worth doing?
For most Florida homes, yes. Florida law requires carriers to offer credits for documented wind-resistant features, and the credits often pay for the inspection in the first renewal. Even homes that don't qualify for many credits benefit from having the documentation on file. We coordinate the inspection and submit the form to your carrier as part of the coverage review.
Citizens wind-only, or private?
In coastal areas where the private market won't include wind, Citizens is often the only available option for the wind portion. Where private wind is available, the private carrier is usually preferred (better claim service, more competitive pricing). We shop the private market first and route to Citizens when private coverage isn't available or isn't competitive.
Carriers
Carriers we work with for wind coverage.
We write wind and hurricane coverage through multiple Florida-domiciled carriers and through Citizens Property Insurance for properties where the private market won't include wind. The right fit depends on the property's wind exposure, roof age and condition, wind mitigation features, and whether wind is being written together with or separately from the homeowners policy.
Each carrier has a different appetite. Some specialize in inland properties, some in coastal exposure, some in newer construction with full mitigation features. The Florida wind market changes regularly, and the right carrier for your specific property today is not always the right carrier next year. We re-shop at renewal when it makes sense.
Citizens
Tower Hill
American Integrity
Slide
Carrier appointments vary by line and state. Available carriers depend on the property's wind exposure, roof age, mitigation features, and underwriting eligibility. The Florida wind market changes frequently and not every carrier is open to new wind business at all times.
Questions
Wind and hurricane insurance questions we hear a lot.
Is wind already included in my homeowners policy?
Usually yes, for most properties in Florida and Georgia. Most homeowners policies include wind and hurricane damage as part of standard coverage, subject to a separate hurricane deductible. However, in certain Florida coastal areas, carriers exclude wind from the homeowners policy, requiring the owner to buy a separate wind-only policy (often through Citizens Property Insurance) to cover that exposure. We confirm exactly what your existing policy includes before recommending.
When do I need a separate wind-only policy?
When the standard homeowners market won't write wind coverage on your property, which happens primarily in coastal high-risk zones and parts of the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). In those areas, you carry an "ex-wind" homeowners policy that covers everything except wind, plus a separate wind-only policy (typically through Citizens Property Insurance) for the wind portion. We structure the two policies together so coverage is continuous.
What's a hurricane deductible and how is it calculated?
Florida homeowners and wind policies typically include a separate hurricane deductible that applies only when a named storm causes damage. It's expressed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage (commonly 2%, 5%, or 10%), not a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 dwelling, a 2% hurricane deductible is $8,000 and a 5% deductible is $20,000. The hurricane deductible is separate from the all-other-perils deductible and applies once per calendar year, regardless of how many named storms occur.
What are wind mitigation credits?
Florida law requires insurance carriers to offer premium credits for documented wind-resistant construction features. A wind mitigation inspection (documented on a Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection form) evaluates roof shape, roof-to-wall connections, roof deck attachment, opening protection (impact windows or shutters), and roof covering. Credits stack across features and can substantially reduce the wind portion of your premium. For most Florida homes, the inspection pays for itself in the first renewal.
What's the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ)?
The High-Velocity Hurricane Zone is defined by the Florida Building Code and primarily includes Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Buildings in HVHZ must meet stricter construction standards designed for the highest wind exposure in the state. Carrier appetite for wind coverage in HVHZ is more limited than elsewhere, and Citizens Property Insurance writes a significant share of wind coverage there. Saint Johns County is not in HVHZ, but other Florida wind-exposure categories still apply.
What is Citizens wind-only insurance?
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation writes a wind-only policy for Florida properties in certain coastal high-risk zones, where the private homeowners market won't include wind. The Citizens wind-only policy covers windstorm and hurricane damage, and the homeowner carries a separate "ex-wind" policy for everything else (fire, theft, liability, etc.). We coordinate the two policies so coverage is continuous and the hurricane deductible structure makes sense.
What's the difference between wind and flood damage?
Wind damage is from the wind itself, including hurricane-force wind, named storms, and severe thunderstorms. Flood damage is from rising surface water (storm surge, river overflow, heavy-rain flooding). The two are covered by different policies and are common claim disputes after a hurricane, when both wind and water often cause damage. A separate flood policy (NFIP or private) is required to cover flood, and we explain the line between wind and flood claims when both are involved.
Does wind insurance cover wind-driven rain?
Generally yes when wind first creates an opening (a broken window, blown-off roof tiles, damaged door), and the rain enters through that opening as a direct consequence. Wind-driven rain that enters through pre-existing gaps, deferred maintenance issues, or an otherwise intact building is typically not covered. Documentation of the wind opening is often critical at claim time.
What about damage from a fallen tree?
Damage from a tree falling on the home during a windstorm or hurricane is typically covered under wind or homeowners coverage, depending on the cause. The cost of removing the tree from the property is often subject to a sublimit. If your own tree falls on a neighbor's property due to wind, the neighbor's insurance typically handles their damage; you would not generally be liable unless the tree was already in clearly poor condition.
Does wind insurance cover roof damage?
Yes, roof damage from wind, hurricanes, and tropical storms is the most common claim type under wind coverage. However, roof age and condition affect both eligibility and how the claim is paid. Carriers may pay actual cash value (depreciated) instead of replacement cost on older roofs, and policies sometimes restrict coverage on roofs over certain ages. Wind mitigation features documented on inspection produce credits and can also restore eligibility.
How does the hurricane deductible work in practice?
The hurricane deductible triggers only when a named storm causes the damage and a hurricane warning has been issued or sustained hurricane-force winds have been recorded in the area. Until the deductible is met, the homeowner pays out of pocket. A 5% hurricane deductible on a $400,000 dwelling means the first $20,000 of any covered hurricane loss is your responsibility, then the policy responds for the rest. The deductible applies once per calendar year regardless of how many named storms occur.
Can I bundle wind insurance with my home policy?
When the same carrier writes both, yes; wind is simply part of the homeowners coverage. When wind has to be split off (Citizens wind-only plus a private ex-wind homeowners), the two are technically separate policies but we manage them together so renewals and claims are coordinated.
What can I do to lower my wind premium?
The biggest lever is a wind mitigation inspection that documents wind-resistant construction features (hip roof, hurricane straps, opening protection, newer roof cover). Florida law requires carriers to honor those credits. Beyond mitigation, a higher hurricane deductible reduces premium meaningfully, and roof replacement on an aging roof often produces immediate credits and broader carrier eligibility.
How fast can I get a wind insurance quote?
Most wind quotes can be started the same day. Carriers ask for the property address, year built, construction type, roof age and material, wind mitigation inspection details if available, prior claims, and whether wind is being written together with or separately from the homeowners policy. Inspections (4-point and wind mitigation) may be required before binding on older homes.
Related
Coverage that pairs with wind and hurricane.
Ready to compare your wind coverage?
Send us your current declarations page, give us a call, or request a free quote. We'll review the wind side specifically and walk you through the options.