A separate deductible just for hurricanes
Every Florida homeowners policy that covers wind has two deductibles: an “all other perils” (AOP) deductible, often $500 to $2,500, for things like a kitchen fire or a burst pipe, and a hurricane deductible for damage caused by a hurricane. Florida law lets insurers offer hurricane deductibles as a flat amount ($500) or as a percentage of dwelling coverage — typically 2%, 5% or 10%.
When it applies
The hurricane deductible applies to losses from a storm the National Hurricane Center has declared a hurricane, from the time a hurricane watch or warning is issued for any part of Florida until 72 hours after the last watch or warning for the state ends. Damage from a tropical storm that never became a hurricane falls under the AOP deductible.
The calendar-year rule
Florida applies the hurricane deductible once per calendar year. If you pay part of it on a first hurricane and a second hurricane strikes the same year, you owe only the remaining balance, or your AOP deductible, whichever is greater. This mattered in Pensacola in 2020, when Sally and Zeta hit six weeks apart, and in 2004–05, when Ivan and Dennis came in separate years and each carried its own deductible.
A worked example
A Pensacola home insured for $320,000 with a 2% hurricane deductible: the deductible is $6,400. If wind damage is $22,000, the insurer owes about $15,600 (before depreciation and any policy limits). If damage is $5,000, the insurer owes nothing for that storm — but you should still report it, because it counts toward the calendar-year total. Try your numbers in the deductible calculator.
Flood deductibles are separate
NFIP and private flood policies have their own deductibles — often separate amounts for building and contents. A storm like Ivan or Sally can trigger both a hurricane deductible on your homeowners policy and flood deductibles on your flood policy.
How to lower the impact
- Wind mitigation discounts: hurricane straps, opening protection and a sealed roof deck can cut the wind premium, which may make a lower deductible affordable.
- Hurricane savings fund: set aside your deductible amount in a dedicated account before the season.
- Review every renewal: insurers sometimes raise percentage deductibles at renewal.