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Insurance
Home insurance is finally easing in Florida. Here's how buyers can make the most of it
Several insurers cut rates for 2026 and Citizens filed its first decrease since 2015. Smart buyers still shop insurance early in the deal.
For the last few years, home insurance has been one of the biggest surprises for Central Florida buyers. The good news is that the market has started to calm down.
What changed for 2026
- State Farm filed for a 10% statewide reduction, Florida Peninsula proposed an average 8.4% cut, and Patriot Select proposed 11.3%.
- Heritage was approved for a 9.6% cut in Seminole County and 7% in Osceola County.
- Citizens, the state-backed insurer, proposed an average 2.6% statewide decrease, its first rate cut since 2015.
- More companies are writing new policies, and hundreds of thousands of Citizens policies have moved to private insurers.
Rates still vary a lot by ZIP code, the age of the roof and the insurer, so some homeowners may still see increases.
What I recommend to every buyer
- Get insurance quotes during your inspection period, not the week before closing. If a house can't be insured at a reasonable price, you want to know while you can still negotiate or walk away.
- Ask the seller for their wind mitigation and 4-point reports. If they don't have them, order them with your inspection. Wind mitigation features like roof straps, impact windows and shutters can earn meaningful premium credits.
- Know the roof age. Many insurers price heavily on roof age and type. A newer roof can be worth more to you than a newer kitchen.
- Use an independent agent who can quote several companies at once.
- Build insurance into your budget from day one. I include an insurance estimate when we talk about your monthly payment, so there are no surprises.
Want a list of independent insurance agents my clients have had good experiences with? Just ask.