How much notice will I get?
Florida law sets minimum notice periods for homeowners policies:
- Nonrenewal, cancellation or termination: at least 120 days’ written notice, including the reason.
- Nonpayment of premium: at least 10 days’ notice.
- Cancellation in a new policy’s first 60 days, for reasons other than nonpayment: at least 20 days’ notice.
- Renewal premium: you should get at least 45 days’ written notice of your renewal premium.
If the insurer doesn’t give the required notice, your coverage generally continues until new coverage takes effect or until a period equal to the required notice has passed, whichever comes first.
Why do insurers drop homeowners?
Common reasons include:
- The company is reducing how many homes it insures in an area, or leaving Florida altogether.
- The roof or home systems are older or in poor condition.
- Claims history on the home.
- Nonpayment of the premium.
The notice has to state the reason, so read it closely. It tells you what other insurers are likely to ask about.
What protections apply after a hurricane?
After a hurricane or wind loss in a declared emergency, an insurer generally can’t cancel or nonrenew your policy until 90 days after the home is repaired. There are exceptions, such as nonpayment, fraud, or unreasonable delays in making repairs. If a cancellation or nonrenewal would take effect while a hurricane is underway, it’s pushed back until the hurricane has passed.
What should I do now?
- Don’t wait. Start shopping as soon as you get the notice. If you have a mortgage, your lender requires your home to stay insured.
- Gather your documents: your current declarations page, the nonrenewal letter, and any wind mitigation or four point reports.
- Fix what you can. If the reason is the roof or an older system, repairs or a roof inspection may open up more options. Our guide to insuring an older Florida home explains the roof age rules.
- Compare several carriers through an independent agent instead of applying to companies one at a time.
- Make sure the new policy starts before the old one ends, so there’s no gap in coverage.
If no private insurer will cover the home, Citizens Property Insurance is the state backed option of last resort. See our guide to alternatives to Citizens.
How Marshall Insurance Group can help
Getting dropped is stressful, but it’s often fixable. As an independent agency, we can shop your home with multiple carriers at once and explain the trade offs in coverage and price, so you can make a choice well before your policy ends.
Common questions
How much notice does a Florida insurer have to give before dropping me?
Florida law generally requires at least 120 days' written notice, with the reason, before an insurer nonrenews, cancels or terminates a homeowners policy. Shorter periods apply for nonpayment of premium (10 days) and for cancellations in a new policy's first 60 days (20 days). You should also get at least 45 days' written notice of your renewal premium.
Can my insurer drop me after a hurricane claim?
Florida limits it. After a hurricane or wind loss in a declared emergency, an insurer generally can't cancel or nonrenew your policy until 90 days after the home is repaired. Exceptions include nonpayment, fraud, or unreasonable delays in making repairs. If a cancellation or nonrenewal would take effect while a hurricane is underway, it's pushed back until the storm has passed.
What if my insurer's notice arrives late?
If the insurer doesn't give the required notice, your coverage generally continues until new coverage takes effect or until a period equal to the required notice has passed, whichever comes first. Either way, start shopping right away so your new policy begins before the old one ends.
What should I do if my home insurance is not renewed?
Start shopping as soon as the notice arrives, especially if you have a mortgage. Gather your declarations page, the nonrenewal letter and any wind mitigation or four point reports, and fix the reason given if you can, such as a roof repair. Then compare several carriers through an independent agent, and make sure the new policy starts before the old one ends. If no private insurer will cover the home, Citizens is the option of last resort.