Florida Hurricane Coverage Checklist for Pasco Homeowners

Why check now, not when a storm is in the cone

Most of us in Pasco County have a hurricane plan for the car and the pantry. Fewer of us have read the part of the homeowners policy that explains how wind damage is actually handled. Once a storm is a few days out, agents and inspectors get busy and some policy changes may not be possible. A quiet afternoon is a better time.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs June 1 through November 30, according to NOAA, and activity tends to peak from late summer into early fall. If you are reading this mid-season, the list below still applies.

Find your hurricane deductible

Many Florida homeowners policies have a separate deductible for hurricane losses. It is often written as a percentage of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A) instead of a flat dollar amount, which means it can be much larger than the deductible you pay on a kitchen fire or a stolen bike.

Florida law requires the actual dollar amount of a separate hurricane deductible to be shown on your declarations page, so you do not have to do the math yourself. Pull out your dec page and look for it. Then ask yourself a plain question: if a hurricane damaged my home tomorrow, could I cover that amount out of pocket?

A few other details worth knowing:

• Hurricane deductibles are generally applied on an annual basis, so a second storm in the same calendar year may not start you over at zero.
• Your deductible options depend on the carrier and the policy, and a change in deductible can also change your premium. How much depends on your home and your carrier.

Look at how your roof is covered

The roof takes a lot of the force in a wind event, so it is worth a closer look. Two questions to ask your agent:

• Is the roof covered at replacement cost or actual cash value? Some policies, especially on older roofs, pay out based on age and depreciation.
• Does the policy have any special terms for roof age, roof surfaces or roof-specific deductibles?

Also check the basics of the home itself. How old is the roof, and when was it last inspected? Are there loose shingles, exposed flashing or tree limbs hanging over it?

Ask about a wind mitigation inspection

Florida has a standard form for documenting the features of your home that resist wind, called the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802). A qualified inspector fills it out, and your insurer may use it to apply premium discounts or deductible reductions for features such as roof shape, roof deck attachment, roof-to-wall connections and opening protection like shutters or impact windows.

According to the Florida Department of Financial Services, a completed form is valid for up to five years as long as nothing material changes on the structure, and an updated version of the form has been required for inspections since April 1, 2026. Admitted insurers must accept a valid, properly completed form.

Whether you qualify for any credit depends on what the inspector finds and on your carrier's rules. If you had an inspection a few years ago, check the date. If you have added shutters or replaced the roof since then, a new inspection may be worth asking about.

Do not assume flood is included

This is the one that catches people off guard. Standard homeowners policies typically do not cover flood damage. FEMA notes that flood insurance is a separate policy, and that a new National Flood Insurance Program policy typically has a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect, with some exceptions such as certain mortgage-related purchases.

That waiting period is why the time to ask is before a storm shows up on the forecast. Heavy rain and storm surge can cause damage that wind coverage does not address, and you do not need to live in a mapped high-risk zone to have water come into a home. Ask your agent how wind-driven rain, storm surge and rising water are treated under your policy, and whether a separate flood policy makes sense for your address.

Keep your home inventory and paperwork ready

If you ever file a claim, clear records make the process easier. Before the season gets busy:

• Walk through each room with your phone and record video of your belongings, closets and garage. Save it somewhere off the house, such as cloud storage.
• Keep a copy of your declarations page, your policy number and your carrier's claim phone number in a place you can reach without power or internet.
• Note any major upgrades, such as a new roof, new windows or shutters, with receipts and dates.
• Ask about additional living expense coverage, which may help with costs like a hotel if the home cannot be lived in after a covered loss. The limits and conditions vary by policy.
• Ask how to report damage and what time limits apply to your policy.

Talk it through with a local agent

None of this replaces reading your own policy, and what is covered always depends on the policy and the carrier. If something on your dec page does not make sense, or you are not sure your dwelling limit, deductible or flood situation fits your home, we are glad to walk through it with you. You can also look at how home insurance works in general on our site.

If you would like to go over your coverage, you can request a quote or call Luna Family Insurance at 813-953-4760. We are here in Land O' Lakes and work with families across Pasco and Hillsborough counties.