Why is home insurance so expensive in Florida, and how can I lower it?

Get quotes on the actual address before you make an offer; the policy can decide whether the house works. Three things lower it. First, a wind mitigation inspection: Florida law requires insurers' rates to include discounts for features that reduce windstorm loss, such as roof-to-wall connections, a stronger roof deck and roof covering, and protection over windows and doors, and an inspector documents them for the insurer. Second, the roof: an insurer may not refuse to write or renew a policy only because the roof is under 15 years old, and for an older roof you can have it inspected at your own cost; if the inspection finds at least five years of life left, age alone cannot be the reason to refuse. Third, My Safe Florida Home, run by the state's Department of Financial Services, offers free wind mitigation inspections and grants toward approved upgrades. Citizens Property Insurance, the state-created insurer, takes a new home only when every private offer for comparable coverage is at least 20 percent higher than its own. Flood is never part of the policy and is bought separately.

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