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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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Becky Helzer is an editor at Insurify. She loves helping writers express their ideas clearly and authentically. With a diverse background in editing everything from curriculum and books to magazine articles and blog posts, she’s worked on topics ranging from home finance, insurance, and cloud computing to the best tools for home improvement.
A proud graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in technical journalism, Becky lives in Fort Collins, CO, with her husband and their two spoiled rescue dogs.
Updated
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
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
Home insurance in Sarasota, Florida, costs an average of $6,826 per year for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
With its subtropical climate and location on the Gulf Coast, Sarasota faces a high risk of flooding and extreme winds.[1] [2] This leads to home insurance rates that are much higher than in other areas of the country. Sarasota homeowners may also need flood insurance, which can lead to even higher premiums.
Here’s what you should know about finding home insurance in Sarasota.
Homeowners pay slightly more for coverage if they select a lower deductible. A homeowners policy in Sarasota with $300,000 in dwelling coverage and a $500 deductible costs an average of $6,868 per month.
Security First, American Integrity, and Florida Peninsula offer the cheapest home insurance in Sarasota, on average.
The average annual cost of home insurance in Sarasota is significantly cheaper than the Florida state average of $5,640 per year.
Best home insurance companies in Sarasota
Sarasota homeowners have many quality home insurance companies to choose from. The best home insurance company for you will depend on numerous factors, including your budget, home size, and coverage needs.
Start your search below with five of the best insurers in Sarasota.
Nationwide: Best for discounts
| 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. | 8.4/10 |
|---|---|
| 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. | $566/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. | $877/mo |
Nationwide is one of the best home insurance companies for homeowners looking for discounts. The company offers several home insurance discounts, including those for renovating your home’s systems, installing protective devices, and maintaining a claims-free record.
Along with numerous available endorsements, including flood insurance, Nationwide also has strong financial strength ratings. It’s a good choice even if you’re not hunting for discounts.
Available flood insurance endorsement
AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent)
Above-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating
Quotes not available online for Florida homeowners
Low Trustpilot rating
Low Better Business Bureau (BBB) customer rating
State Farm: Best for customer service
| 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 |
State Farm is one of the best home insurance companies in Sarasota for homeowners who prioritize customer service. The company received an above-average customer satisfaction ranking from J.D. Power.
State Farm also has local agents across the country, including some in Sarasota, to provide customized service. Additionally, it offers a mobile app that makes filing insurance claims easier.
Available wind-mitigation discounts
AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior)
Highly rated mobile app for filing insurance claims
Quotes not available online for Sarasota residents
Fewer discounts than some competitors
Low BBB customer rating
Chubb: Best for flood insurance
| 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 |
Chubb is one of the best home insurance companies in Sarasota for homeowners who want a private flood insurance policy. The insurer offers flood policies with up to $15 million in property coverage, a significantly higher amount than policies offered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
The company also offers various discounts, including those for having storm shutters, a renovated house, and protective devices. For Sarasota homeowners with high-value homes in flood zones, Chubb is a solid choice.
Free home appraisals
Various discounts available
Excellent J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating
Quotes not available online
Not the most affordable insurer
Fewer customization options or add-ons available
Security First Insurance: Best for coverage add-ons
Security First Insurance is a Florida-based insurance company, so it has plenty of experience handling weather-related damage. It offers multiple homeowners insurance packages, such as the Premier policy for high-value homes.
You can also customize your policy with a longer-than-usual list of optional add-ons. These include identity theft protection, golf cart physical damage and liability protection, dog liability insurance, scheduled personal property coverage, and protection for your hurricane-screened enclosures and carports.
Multiple available add-ons
Among the cheapest rates in Sarasota
Homeowners can qualify for a disappearing deductible
Poor BBB reviews
No AM Best financial strength rating
Limited product availability, so few bundling options
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation: Best for people who don’t qualify for other coverage
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation provides insurance to Florida homeowners who can’t get coverage on the private market. If you live in an area of Sarasota that prevents you from qualifying for insurance through traditional insurers, Citizens can help.
The company offers several policy types. For policies that include wind coverage, Citizens requires that you also have flood insurance. Optional add-ons are limited, and the company has several deductible types for different perils.
Through the depopulation program, your policy may be transferred to a private insurer at renewal if it offers coverage with premiums less than 20% higher than your Citizens premium.
Insures properties ineligible for private coverage
Available wind-only policies
Several optional add-ons
Many complaints reported to the BBB
Premiums likely to be substantially higher
Surcharges may apply if Citizens doesn’t have adequate funding
Our editorial team analyzed regional and national home insurance companies that sell policies in Sarasota 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.
How much is home insurance in Sarasota?
The average cost of home insurance in Sarasota is $6,826 per year for a $300,000 dwelling policy with a $1,000 deductible. This is much higher than the national average of $2,532 per year for the same coverage and the Florida state average of $5,640.
Sarasota policies with a $500 deductible and $300,000 in coverage average $6,868 per year. Sarasota’s high insurance costs are directly related to the area’s risk of high winds and flooding. Flood damage can be extremely costly, so insurers have to account for this increased risk in the form of higher premiums.
Cheapest home insurance companies in Sarasota
The cheapest home insurance companies in Sarasota vary based on your ZIP code, your home’s value and construction, the coverage you choose, and your deductible.[3]
The table below shows the companies with the lowest average rates, based on Insurify data.
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium: With $300,000 in Dwelling Coverage |
|---|---|
| Security First Insurance | $2,214 |
| American Integrity Insurance of Florida | $2,426 |
| Florida Peninsula Insurance | $3,219 |
| ASI | $3,450 |
| People’s Trust | $4,025 |
| Armed Forces Insurance Exchange | $4,221 |
| Bankers Insurance Group | $4,364 |
| Heritage Insurance Holdings | $4,519 |
| Chubb | $4,960 |
| HCI Group | $5,539 |
| State Farm | $5,470 |
| Nationwide | $5,594 |
| Tower Hill Group | $5,844 |
| Allstate | $8,136 |
| Universal P&C | $13,473 |
| Florida Farm Bureau Group | $15,450 |
| Citizens Property | $23,140 |
The state of home insurance in Florida
The homeowners insurance industry in Florida is in turmoil. Over the past five years, the state has experienced multiple hurricanes, including Helene and Milton in 2024.[4] These storms caused billions of dollars in damage. As a result, several major insurers left the state, while others refused to renew policies in certain areas.
For many Floridians, homeowners insurance may be more readily available through small, local insurers, such as Security First Insurance, rather than national brands. For people living in high-risk coastal areas, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state-run insurance company, may be their only option.
Florida has the highest homeowners insurance rates in the nation. Insurify projects that average annual coverage costs will reach $15,460 by the end of 2025. Between the frequency of severe storms and rising construction costs, homeowners are unlikely to see relief in insurance costs anytime soon.
How much homeowners insurance do you need in Sarasota?
A standard Sarasota homeowners insurance policy includes the following components:[5]
Hurricane coverage
In Florida, a home insurance policy includes coverage for hurricanes. A separate deductible for hurricane-related losses applies, typically ranging between 1% and 15% of a home’s insured value.
Dwelling coverage
Dwelling insurance covers the cost to rebuild your home if a covered peril damages or destroys it. One way to estimate how much coverage you need is to multiply your home’s square footage by the average per-square-foot building cost for your area.
Personal property coverage
Personal property insurance pays to replace your belongings if a covered peril damages or destroys them. For example, if a severe windstorm blows the roof off your house and damages your furniture, personal property coverage helps repair or replace it.
Additional living expenses
Loss of use coverage pays for temporary housing and meals during repairs if your home is uninhabitable after a covered loss.
Liability coverage
Personal liability insurance covers medical bills and legal expenses if someone is injured on your property or you cause damage to someone’s property.
Many Sarasota residents also need a separate flood insurance policy to cover damage caused by storm surges or rising water.
What to know about home insurance in Sarasota, FL
Whether you’ve recently relocated to Sarasota or have lived there for years, keep in mind the following key aspects before shopping for coverage:
Floods: Sarasota homeowners need to consider the risk of flooding, as the city sits right on the coast. About 71% of the buildings in the city are at risk of flooding, according to ClimateCheck.
Hurricanes: Sarasota is also at high risk of hurricanes and smaller tropical storms. These storms often have extremely high winds, hail, and rain, all of which can cause major damage to a home. Sarasota County has a high natural disaster score of 55%, having experienced 33 disasters over the past 20 years, according to Augurisk.[6]
To offset these risks, Sarasota homeowners should strongly consider purchasing higher coverage limits as well as flood insurance. In some cases, mortgage lenders may require flood insurance. While you can buy coverage through the NFIP, some home insurance companies offer private flood insurance, which may be more affordable.
Home insurance coverage for hurricanes and flooding
A standard home insurance policy in Florida covers hurricane-related damage. But it’s important to know your policy’s limitations and be aware of other forms of coverage you may need to protect your home.
For example, a hurricane deductible applies when the National Hurricane Center of the National Weather Service names a storm. If a named storm damages your home, you’ll pay your hurricane deductible before your coverage kicks in, which can range from 1% to 15% of your home’s insured value.
Besides your homeowners insurance, you may need additional coverage:
Windstorm endorsements: By law, insurers must cover windstorm damage. In some cases, you may need to purchase stand-alone windstorm coverage or add a windstorm endorsement to your homeowners insurance policy. This is often the case if you live in an area with a high risk of wind damage.
Flood insurance: Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover damage from rising water, flooding, or storm surges. For coverage to apply, you’ll need a separate policy. Flood insurance is available through private insurers and the NFIP, a government-run program.
How to get home insurance in Sarasota
Follow these steps to buy home insurance in Sarasota:
Pay attention to the calendar. In Florida, hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. When a storm is expected, insurers will pause issuing new coverage, so it’s critical to purchase coverage ahead of time.
Consider property risk. Think about the potential risks your home may face. For example, if your home is near the coast or a river, it may be vulnerable to storm surges or flooding and may need additional coverage.
Ask an insurance agent about the FAIR Plan. The Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan is state-mandated insurance coverage for homeowners who don’t qualify for insurance on the private market. In Florida, the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation fills this role.
Shop around. Rates, coverage options, and available discounts vary by insurance company. If your home qualifies for private coverage, request quotes from several companies.
Average cost of home insurance in other cities in Florida
The cost of your home insurance policy depends primarily on where you live. Homeowners pay different rates for the same coverage, depending on state, city, and ZIP code.
Prices also vary by location due to different weather risks, flood likelihood, vandalism and crime rates, and more.
The table below shows average annual premiums in several Florida cities.
City | Average Annual Premium: With $300,000 in Dwelling Coverage |
|---|---|
| Tallahassee | $3,156 |
| Gainesville | $3,180 |
| Jacksonville | $3,600 |
| Orlando | $4,608 |
| Tampa | $5,460 |
| Palm Bay | $6,276 |
| Cape Coral | $7,716 |
| Port Saint Lucie | $11,880 |
| Miami | $13,740 |
Sarasota home insurance FAQs
If you’re shopping for home insurance in Sarasota, the following information can help answer your remaining questions about getting coverage.
The average annual cost of home insurance in Sarasota is $6,826 for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible. For a policy with a $500 deductible, the average cost of coverage is a bit higher, at $6,868 annually. In many parts of Sarasota, you’ll likely need to carry flood insurance, too, which will increase your costs.
Security First Insurance has the cheapest homeowners insurance in Sarasota, with an average annual premium of $2,214 for a $300,000 dwelling policy. American Integrity Insurance of Florida and Florida Peninsula Insurance are two other affordable insurers in Sarasota.
There’s no single “best” home insurance company for everyone. But Nationwide, State Farm, Chubb, Security First Insurance, and Citizens Property Insurance Corporation are among the top picks. These companies stand out for their competitive rates, customer service, and coverage options.
The 80% rule in homeowners insurance states that your home insurance should cover at least 80% of your home’s replacement cost. This helps ensure your home has adequate coverage and prevents unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
Homeowners insurance in Florida for a policy with $500,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible costs $749 per month, on average.
Universal Insurance Holdings insures the most homes in Florida, according to the Insurance Information Institute.[7]
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
- Sarasota County. "Flood Protection."
- First Street. "Does Sarasota have Wind Risk?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "12 Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs."
- Florida State University. "Hurricanes."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What is covered by standard homeowners insurance?."
- Augurisk. "Sarasota County, Florida."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Top 10 Writers of Homeowners Insurance in Florida*."
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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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Becky Helzer is an editor at Insurify. She loves helping writers express their ideas clearly and authentically. With a diverse background in editing everything from curriculum and books to magazine articles and blog posts, she’s worked on topics ranging from home finance, insurance, and cloud computing to the best tools for home improvement.
A proud graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in technical journalism, Becky lives in Fort Collins, CO, with her husband and their two spoiled rescue dogs.
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