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Kat Tretina is a personal finance writer specializing in debt repayment and insurance.
Previously, she worked in public relations within the pharmaceutical industry before switching to non-profit work. After struggling to repay her own student loan debt and seeing firsthand how complex the financial aid and repayment system is, she began writing to share what she learned so other people could better manage their loans.
For the past seven years, she’s been freelancing for major financial publications, focusing her work on helping people understand their financial options. Kat double-majored in English and Communications at Elizabethtown College, and she went on to earn her master’s at West Chester University. She has also earned certifications in student loan counseling and financial education.
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15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
Table of contents
Known for its scenic beaches and waterways, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has faced major issues with storm surges, high winds, and inland flooding.[1] The city is prone to hurricanes; in 2017, Hurricane Irma caused tens of billions in damage.[2]
As a result, homeowners insurance in Fort Lauderdale tends to be quite expensive. On average, homeowners pay $17,112 per year — about 60% higher than the state average. Plus, homeowners will likely need to purchase separate flood insurance policies, too, as standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage.
Fort Lauderdale homeowners pay $1,426 per month for insurance, about seven times higher than the national average.
Insurance in Florida and Fort Lauderdale is expensive in part because several insurers have pulled out of the state, resulting in fewer options. The state also faces considerable severe weather risks.
Florida homeowners can buy flood insurance through private companies or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Best home insurance companies in Fort Lauderdale
Residents of Fort Lauderdale have several insurers to choose from. As you begin your search, consider these insurers that could be a top choice based on your unique needs.
Best for hurricane-prone properties: Citizens Property Insurance
Citizens Property Insurance
For homeowners who’ve been unable to get coverage on the private market, Citizens Property Insurance is a state-run, nonprofit insurer that may help. Through Citizens, homeowners can purchase policies that include protection for their structures, personal property, personal liability coverage, and medical payments insurance.
Insures homes that other companies won’t
Wind-only policies available
Optional add-on protections
Flood insurance not available
More expensive than other insurers
Surcharges may apply if Citizens has inadequate funds
Best for cheaper rates: State Farm
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.2/10 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor). | A++ |
| $300,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $300,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $383/mo |
| $500,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $500,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $533/mo |
Homeowners insurance in Fort Lauderdale is expensive, but State Farm offers lower-than-average rates. The insurer also has several discounts that homeowners can use to save money on insurance, such as wind-mitigation and home security discounts. You can also qualify for multi-policy discounts if you bundle your homeowners insurance policy with life insurance or condo insurance.
Multiple discounts available
Lower-than-average premiums
Large network of agents
Quotes not available online for Fort Lauderdale residents
No flood or stand-alone wind-mitigation policies
Policies only sold through captive agents
Best for high-value homes: Chubb
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.8/10 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor). | A++ |
| $300,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $300,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $749/mo |
| $500,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $500,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $1,223/mo |
Properties in Fort Lauderdale are often more expensive than properties in other parts of the state. The median value of owner-occupied units within the city was $455,600 as of 2023, about 40% higher than the state median, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.[3] With so many high-value homes in the city, Chubb can be a good option. It specializes in covering higher-value properties.
Top rated for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power[4]
Offers flood insurance
Replacement cost coverage available
Higher-than-average rates
Online quotes not available for most Florida homeowners
Fewer customization options
Our editorial team analyzed regional and national home insurance companies that sell policies in Fort Lauderdale to assess which offer the best rates, coverage options, customer service, and savings to homeowners. We prioritized competitive rates, 24/7 customer service, homeownership discounts or bundling options, and specialty or supplemental coverages.
Cheapest home insurance companies in Fort Lauderdale
Homeowners insurance policies vary in cost. In general, State Farm has the lowest rates in Fort Lauderdale. But the cheapest home insurance company for you will depend on your unique risk factors. That’s why it’s important to compare quotes from multiple insurers before choosing your next policy.
Here are the average rates available from several Fort Lauderdale-area insurers. All average rates are for $300,000 in dwelling coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $22,196 |
| American Integrity Insurance of Florida | $10,797 |
| Armed Forces Insurance Exchange | $6,710 |
| ASI | $9,306 |
| Bankers Insurance Group | $11,271 |
| Chubb | $29,480 |
| Citizens Property Insurance Corporation | $27,898 |
| Florida Farm Bureau Group | $54,980 |
| Florida Peninsula Insurance | $11,332 |
| HCI Group Incorporated | $12,653 |
| Heritage Insurance Holdings | $14,262 |
| Nationwide | $5,209 |
| People’s Trust Insurance Company | $22,255 |
| Security First Insurance | $5,552 |
| State Farm | $4,970 |
| Tower Hill Group | $15,991 |
| Universal P&C Insurance Company | $26,047 |
How much is home insurance in Fort Lauderdale?
On average, a homeowners insurance policy in Fort Lauderdale costs $17,112 per year for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible. Your premiums may vary based on the following factors:
Home price
Properties in Fort Lauderdale tend to cost more than the state average, and higher-value homes cost more to insure.
Age of house
Older properties are usually more expensive to insure. Newer homes that meet modern building standards are usually cheaper.
Type of construction
Frame houses tend to be more costly to insure than brick homes.
Amount of coverage
How much coverage you choose — and whether you opt for replacement cost or actual cost replacement — affects your premiums.
Deductible amount
The higher the deductible, the lower your premium will be.
Fire safety access
Your home’s proximity to fire hydrants and local fire departments determines your home’s fire safety class.
Cost of home insurance by dwelling coverage in Florida
Along with Florida’s higher risk of storm damage, the median home price of properties in the Sunshine State is higher than the national median. With higher home values come higher rates for dwelling or structure coverage. As your coverage limit increases, so will your annual premiums.
Here, you can see how the dwelling coverage limit you choose affects your average annual premium in Florida.
Coverage Limit | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| $100,000 | $4,142 |
| $200,000 | $7,848 |
| $300,000 | $10,675 |
| $400,000 | $14,140 |
| $500,000 | $17,473 |
Cost of homeowners insurance by deductible amount
The homeowners insurance deductible is how much you have to pay for property damage or losses before your insurance company will provide coverage. A higher deductible means you’ll have a higher out-of-pocket cost if you have to file a claim, but your premiums will be lower, as you’re taking on more of the up-front risk yourself.
In Fort Lauderdale, raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 will reduce your premiums by about $100 per year, as you can see below.
Deductible Amount | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| $500 | $17,218 |
| $1,000 | $17,112 |
Average cost of home insurance in other cities in Florida
Homeowners insurance rates are partially based on your ZIP code, risk class, and home value. For example, properties near one of Fort Lauderdale’s waterways will usually be pricier to insure than properties further inland.
Other cities in Florida that are further from the coast or have lower property values will have lower average premiums.
Here, you can see average premiums for different cities in Florida.
City | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $8,961 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $17,112 |
| Hialeah | $18,365 |
| Hollywood | $14,464 |
| Jacksonville | $4,245 |
| Miami | $17,208 |
| Naples | $9,319 |
| Orlando | $5,960 |
| Pensacola | $5,577 |
| Port Saint Lucie | $13,157 |
| Tallahassee | $3,307 |
| Tampa | $6,440 |
| The Villages | $4,499 |
| West Palm Beach | $14,388 |
What to know about owning a home in Fort Lauderdale
If you live in Fort Lauderdale, getting a homeowners insurance policy can be a significant investment, but it’s a critical one. Although premiums tend to be high, properties within the city are at an increased risk of damage from storms and hurricanes, so having adequate coverage is crucial.
While homeowners insurance provides protection against hurricane-related damage, such as wrecked roofs or windows, standard homeowners insurance policies don’t include flood damage. As a result, you’ll likely need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer.
Fort Lauderdale home insurance FAQs
As you shop for home insurance coverage, the following information can help you decide what protection you need.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Fort Lauderdale is about $17,112 per year. Homeowners will also likely need flood insurance, which typically costs about $800 per year.
State Farm offers the lowest premiums in Fort Lauderdale, at an average rate of about $4,970 per year.
In Florida, the average cost of homeowners insurance is $10,675 for a $300,000 home with a $1,000 deductible, Insurify data shows. This is several times higher than the national average.
In recent years, Florida has experienced several major natural disasters, including hurricanes Milton and Helene in 2024. These disasters, along with the state’s higher median home values, have driven up insurance costs.
You can lower your homeowners insurance premiums by shopping around for competitive rates, taking advantage of discounts such as paid-in-full discounts or multi-policy discounts, and raising your deductible.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed rates from more than 180 home insurance companies sourced directly from Insurify’s partner companies and Quadrant Information Services. Rates span all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and quote averages represent the mean price for a given coverage level and geographic area. To ensure data reliability, only insurers meeting minimum quote thresholds were included in the analysis.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for homeowners with no prior claims and good credit with a home construction year of 1980. The default coverage assumptions include:
Default Coverage Assumptions
- Dwelling coverage: $300,000
- Deductible: $1,000
- Personal property limit: $25,000
- Liability limit: $300,000
Additional data points beyond these default values are sourced from Insurify’s proprietary database. Rates are updated monthly.
Sources
- City of Fort Lauderdale. "Hurricane Hazards."
- South Florida Business and Wealth. "The Cost of Hurricane Irma’s Destruction."
- U.S. Census Bureau. "QuickFacts Florida; Fort Lauderdale city, Florida."
- J.D. Power. "Rampant Home Insurance Increases Strain Customer Satisfaction—and Drive Policy Shopping, J.D. Power Finds."
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Kat Tretina is a personal finance writer specializing in debt repayment and insurance.
Previously, she worked in public relations within the pharmaceutical industry before switching to non-profit work. After struggling to repay her own student loan debt and seeing firsthand how complex the financial aid and repayment system is, she began writing to share what she learned so other people could better manage their loans.
For the past seven years, she’s been freelancing for major financial publications, focusing her work on helping people understand their financial options. Kat double-majored in English and Communications at Elizabethtown College, and she went on to earn her master’s at West Chester University. She has also earned certifications in student loan counseling and financial education.
)
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in
)