Insurance Agency in Cocoa & Merritt Island, FL
Flood, Boat, and Home Insurance for Brevard County's Coastal Communities
Merritt Island is surrounded by water on every side — the Indian River to the west, the Banana River to the east, and Atlantic Ocean access through the barrier island just across the causeway. It's one of the most flood-exposed and boat-friendly communities in all of Brevard County, which means insurance here isn't a one-size-fits-all conversation.
Anthony Insurance Agency has been covering Brevard County homeowners, boaters, and drivers since 1978. We're an independent agency based in Viera, and we work with clients in Cocoa and Merritt Island regularly — waterfront homeowners who need flood and windstorm coverage sorted out, boat owners who want marine coverage that actually fits how they use their vessel, and families who want one local agency handling the whole picture.
Insurance Coverage for Cocoa and Merritt Island Residents
We cover the full range of personal insurance for Cocoa and Merritt Island homeowners, boaters, and drivers. As an independent agency, we compare across multiple top-rated carriers — so you see real options rather than a single company's offer.
A significant portion of Merritt Island properties fall in FEMA-designated flood zones. Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover rising water. We quote both NFIP and private flood options and will look up your property's flood zone designation before you commit to anything.
With the Indian River Lagoon, Banana River, and Atlantic access all within reach, boat ownership here is common. We cover fishing boats, pontoons, and larger vessels — including hurricane haul-out provisions and agreed value coverage for total losses.
Coastal and near-coastal properties in this area face real wind and water exposure. We compare carriers for waterfront and near-waterfront homes, and make sure windstorm deductibles and hurricane provisions are clearly explained before you sign.
We compare auto rates across multiple carriers for Cocoa and Merritt Island drivers, including Florida's required PIP coverage and uninsured motorist protection.
Waterfront Properties Need a Different Conversation
A standard insurance review isn't enough for a waterfront or near-waterfront home on Merritt Island. There are several coverage layers that matter here and interact with each other:
Homeowners insurance covers your dwelling and personal property against most perils — but excludes rising water and has a separate hurricane deductible that applies differently than a standard deductible.
Flood insurance covers the rising water your homeowners policy excludes — storm surge, overflowing waterways, and heavy rain flooding. For properties near the Indian River or Banana River, this isn't optional coverage for most lenders, and shouldn't be optional for most owners.
Windstorm coverage is included in most Florida homeowners policies but the deductible for named storms is percentage-based, not a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 home, a 2% hurricane deductible means $8,000 out of pocket before your coverage applies.
Boat insurance covers your vessel separately from all of the above. Your homeowners policy provides minimal or no coverage for a boat of any real value.
We sort out all four — in plain language — so you know exactly what you have and what you don't.
What Our Clients Say About Coastal Coverage
Gregory K. is a Brevard County client who covers his home, flood, and travel insurance through Anthony Insurance Agency — all under one roof, all handled by the same team.
"Thanks for making it all so easy and affordable. Handled my homeowner's, flood and when I travel my travel insurance." — Gregory K.
That's the experience we aim to give every coastal client: complete coverage, no gaps, and one agency that knows your whole picture.
Frequently Asked Questions — Insurance in Cocoa & Merritt Island, FL
Is Merritt Island in a flood zone?
Much of Merritt Island falls within FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas, and most properties with a mortgage in those zones are required to carry flood insurance. Even properties outside designated high-risk zones face meaningful flood exposure given the island's geography. We can look up your specific property's flood zone designation and walk you through your options.
Do I need flood insurance if my lender doesn't require it?
Your lender's requirement is based on your flood zone designation, but flood risk exists beyond those boundaries. On Merritt Island especially, where water surrounds the community on all sides, flood damage can come from storm surge, heavy rain, or waterway overflow — none of which your homeowners policy covers. We'd recommend at minimum getting a quote so you know what coverage costs for your property.
What insurance do I need for a waterfront home in Florida?
At minimum: a homeowners policy, a separate flood insurance policy, and a clear understanding of your windstorm deductible structure. If you own a boat, add a marine policy. If you're near saltwater, some carriers have specific terms around saltwater exposure for structures and contents. We review all of these together rather than treating each policy in isolation.
Is boat insurance different for saltwater vs. freshwater use?
Yes, in some respects. Saltwater use — ocean access, inlets, offshore runs — is considered higher risk than freshwater or protected inland waterway use. Navigational territory designations in marine policies reflect this, and some carriers price saltwater exposure separately. If you're running offshore out of Port Canaveral or fishing the Atlantic, your policy needs to specify that coverage territory explicitly.
What is the 30-day waiting period for flood insurance and why does it matter on Merritt Island?
NFIP flood insurance policies typically have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. If you're closing on a new property and your lender requires flood insurance, that waiting period is waived at closing — but for existing homeowners who don't yet have flood coverage, waiting until a storm is named or approaching means you can't get coverage in time. Private flood insurance often has shorter waiting periods. Given Merritt Island's flood exposure, this timing matters.
Can I bundle home, flood, and boat insurance through one agency?
Yes. As an independent agency, we can manage home, flood, boat, and auto coverage — sometimes through different carriers, but all coordinated through one agency and one point of contact. That means no coverage gaps between policies and one phone call when something comes up.
Serving Cocoa, Merritt Island, and All of Brevard County
We serve clients throughout Brevard County from our Viera office. If you're in Cocoa or Merritt Island and want a local agent who understands coastal coverage, we'd be glad to help.
