Homeowners Insurance
Home Insurance in Melbourne, Rockledge & Brevard County, FL
Florida's homeowners insurance market is unlike anywhere else in the country. Carriers have pulled out of the state, rates have climbed, and homeowners who haven't reviewed their policy lately may be with a carrier — or at coverage limits — that no longer makes sense for them. If you've been non-renewed by Citizens or a private carrier in the last few years, you already know how disruptive this market can be.
We've been helping Melbourne,
Viera,
Rockledge, and
Palm Bay homeowners navigate this since 1978. As an independent agency, we compare rates and coverage across multiple Florida-admitted carriers — not just whatever auto-renews this year.
What Florida Homeowners Insurance Actually Covers — and What It Doesn't
A standard homeowners policy covers your dwelling, personal property, liability, and additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable after a covered loss. But in Florida, the gaps matter as much as what's included:
- Dwelling coverage: Pays to repair or rebuild the structure of your home after covered perils — fire, wind damage, theft, and most storm-related losses.
- Personal property: Covers furniture, electronics, clothing, and other belongings damaged or lost in a covered event.
- Liability: Covers you if someone is injured on your property and files a claim against you.
- Additional living expenses: Pays for temporary housing and related costs if your home is uninhabitable during repairs.
- Flood damage: Not covered by a standard homeowners policy. In Brevard County — where much of the area sits in or near designated flood zones — separate flood insurance is typically essential.
- Windstorm:
Covered under most standard policies, but
hurricane deductibles in Florida work differently than standard deductibles. Many homeowners don't realize how high their out-of-pocket exposure is until they file a claim.
When the Market Shifts, Your Coverage Shouldn't Be a Surprise
Picture this: your carrier sends a non-renewal notice three months before hurricane season. You've had the same policy for years, assumed it was fine, and now you're scrambling to find coverage in one of the tightest insurance markets in the country. It happens to Brevard County homeowners more often than most people expect.
That's the kind of situation our team works to prevent. Diane N. has been with Anthony Insurance Agency for years specifically because Christy and her team contact her proactively when market conditions shift — reviewing her policy, shopping alternatives, and making sure she's not caught off guard at renewal.
"There have been a lot of changes in the industry lately and they always keep me informed of my options and best coverage. Highest recommendation. 5 star service!" — Diane N.
We do the same for every client: annual reviews, proactive outreach when carriers change their appetite in Florida, and real conversations about what your coverage actually means.
Florida Homeowners Insurance Questions, Answered
What does homeowners insurance typically cover in Florida?
A standard policy covers your home's structure, personal belongings, liability, and additional living expenses after a covered loss. In Florida, most policies also cover wind damage — but flood and storm surge are excluded and require separate policies. We review each of these coverage areas when we compare options for you.
Is flood damage covered under homeowners insurance?
No. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. In Brevard County, many properties sit in or near FEMA-designated flood zones, and even homes outside high-risk zones can experience flooding from heavy rain or storm surge. We can help you evaluate whether a separate flood insurance policy makes sense for your property.
Do I need windstorm insurance separately in Brevard County?
Wind damage from named storms is typically included in Florida homeowners policies, but the deductible for hurricane damage is calculated differently — usually as a percentage of your home's insured value rather than a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 home, a 2% hurricane deductible means $8,000 out of pocket before your coverage kicks in. We make sure you understand your deductible structure before a storm makes it relevant.
Why is homeowners insurance so expensive in Florida?
Florida's combination of hurricane risk, high litigation rates, and reinsurance costs has pushed premiums higher than most states. Several major carriers have stopped writing new policies in Florida entirely, which reduces competition and puts upward pressure on rates. Working with an independent agency gives you access to multiple Florida-admitted carriers — rather than being locked into one company's pricing.
What's the difference between homeowners and flood insurance in Florida?
Homeowners insurance covers your home against most perils — fire, wind, theft, and certain water damage from internal sources like a burst pipe. It does not cover rising water from storms, overflowing waterways, or street flooding. Flood insurance is a separate policy, available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private flood carriers, and covers those excluded scenarios. Many Florida homeowners need both.
Is Citizens Property Insurance a good option?
Citizens is Florida's insurer of last resort — it was created to provide coverage when private market options aren't available. It can be a reasonable temporary solution, but Citizens policies come with limitations: coverage caps, possible assessments after major storm years, and the state's ongoing effort to depopulate the program by moving policyholders to private carriers. If you're currently with Citizens, it's worth checking whether comparable private market options are available for your property.
Can you help compare homeowners insurance carriers?
Yes — that's the core of what we do. As an independent agency, we're not tied to any one carrier, so we can compare coverage terms, deductibles, and pricing across multiple Florida-admitted companies to find what works for your home and budget.
A Second Set of Eyes on Your Policy — Every Year
The Florida homeowners market changes fast. Carriers adjust their appetites, rates shift, and coverage terms that made sense three years ago may not be right today. We review our clients' policies annually — not just at the moment they first sign up — and reach out when something changes that affects their coverage.
If you haven't had your policy reviewed recently, or if you're shopping for the first time as a new Florida homeowner, give us a call or get a quote online. Micah Williams and Christy Nail are here to walk you through it.
Serving Homeowners Across Brevard County
We write home insurance policies for homeowners throughout Brevard County — Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Palm Bay, Cocoa, and Merritt Island. If you're a new Florida resident or just overdue for a policy review, we'd be glad to take a look.
