2026 Hurricane Season: Prepare Your Home Insurance BEFORE June
Florida didn’t get hit by hurricanes in 2025. That was luck—not a trend.
The 2025 season produced 13 tropical storms, 5 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes, including 3 Category 5s. Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica with 185 mph winds and a record gust of 252 mph. They simply didn’t come toward Florida.
The year before, we weren’t so lucky: Hurricanes Helene ($78.7 billion in damages) and Milton ($34.3 billion) struck Florida in 2024. Between 2022-2024, Florida took direct hits from 6 hurricanes, including 4 Category 3 or stronger.
The 2026 season starts June 1. Early forecasts predict near-average activity: 14 tropical storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. But as 2025 proved, numbers don’t matter—it only takes ONE hurricane to change your life.
The question isn’t whether another hurricane will hit Florida. The question is: are you prepared when it does?
Your Action Calendar: February to May
Don’t wait until June. By then it may be too late—insurers restrict changes during hurricane season. Here’s your month-by-month plan:
FEBRUARY – MARCH: Review and Understand
| Action | Why | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Read your complete Declaration Page | Many homeowners don’t know what their policy covers | ⚡ High |
| Verify your hurricane deductible | Do you know how much you’ll pay out of pocket? | ⚡ High |
| Confirm you have active wind coverage | Some coastal policies EXCLUDE wind | ⚡ High |
| Check if Dwelling Coverage reflects current costs | Rebuilding costs rose 16% in 2025 | ⚡ High |
MARCH – APRIL: Improve and Document
| Action | Why | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule Wind Mitigation inspection | Discounts of $300-$1,500+/year on your premium | 🔥 Critical |
| Create or update home inventory | Photos and video of every room, with serials and receipts | 🔥 Critical |
| Request quotes from 3+ insurers | 17 new companies in FL = more options | Important |
| Research flood insurance if you don’t have it | Waiting period: 30 days from purchase | 🔥 Critical |
APRIL – MAY: Protect and Finalize
| Action | Why | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Buy flood insurance before May 1 | 30-day wait = active coverage by June 1 | 🔥 Critical |
| Install upgrades (shutters, impact windows) | Discounts + real protection | Important |
| Apply for My Safe Florida Home ($10,000 in grants) | Limited funds: $280 million | Important |
| Store insurance documents in the cloud | Access from anywhere if your home is damaged | Important |
| Save your hurricane deductible amount | Do you have $6,000-$30,000 available? | ⚡ High |
2026 Forecast: What We Know
Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) Prediction – December 2025
| Category | 2026 Forecast | 1991-2020 Average | 2025 Actual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical storms | 14 | 14.4 | 13 |
| Hurricanes | 7 | 7.2 | 5 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) | 3 | 3.2 | 4 |
| ACE Index | 125 | 122 | 133 |
Key Factors for 2026
| Factor | Status | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Sea surface temperatures | Warmer than average | Increases activity |
| La Niña → ENSO Neutral | Transitioning in spring | Uncertainty |
| Possible El Niño | May develop in summer | Could reduce activity |
| Trade winds | Slightly weaker | Favors storm formation |
What We Learned from 2025
- ✅ Florida was spared by “luck” according to the NWS—conditions favored storms curving away
- ❌ 3 Category 5 hurricanes in a single season—only second time in recorded history
- ⚠️ Hurricane Melissa: 185 mph, record 252 mph gust, 102 deaths in the Caribbean
- 📊 First time since 2015 that Florida had no direct impact
The lesson: 2025’s luck doesn’t repeat every year. From 2022 to 2024, Florida took 6 hurricanes in 3 years.
The Hurricane Deductible: The Surprise Nobody Wants
Only 32% of homeowners understand what a hurricane deductible is. If you’re in the other 68%, this matters:
It’s Not Your Regular Deductible
| Type | How It Works | Example ($300K home) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular deductible | Fixed amount | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Hurricane deductible | Percentage of insured value | 2% = $6,000 / 5% = $15,000 / 10% = $30,000 |
Your regular $1,000 deductible does NOT apply during a hurricane. The percentage deductible kicks in—which can be 6 to 30 times higher.
Real Impact Table
| Home Value | 2% | 5% | 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $4,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| $300,000 | $6,000 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| $400,000 | $8,000 | $20,000 | $40,000 |
| $500,000 | $10,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
Do You Have That Money Available?
If your home is worth $300,000 with a 5% deductible, you need $15,000 in cash before insurance pays a penny for hurricane damage. If you don’t have those funds, you have two options:
- Switch to a lower deductible (2%) – Your premium goes up, but out-of-pocket risk drops
- Start saving TODAY – Create an emergency fund specifically for your deductible
Do this NOW: Find your Declaration Page and locate the line that says “Hurricane Deductible.” That number is what you’ll pay out of pocket.
The Most Expensive Mistake: No Flood Insurance
The Statistics That Matter
After Hurricane Helene (2024):
- Only 2% of victims in the Carolinas and Georgia had flood insurance
- 53% of residential claims were DENIED after Helene
- 39% of claims were DENIED after Milton in Florida
Why Your Claim Gets Denied
Your home insurance covers wind damage. Flooding—whether from storm surge, excessive rain, or overflowing rivers—requires a separate policy. If water rises beneath your door, your homeowners insurance pays nothing.
The Waiting Period Problem
| If you buy flood insurance… | Your coverage starts… |
|---|---|
| Today (February) | March (30 days later) |
| In April | May |
| May 1 | June 1 (just in time) ✅ |
| In June | July (season already started!) ❌ |
| When a storm approaches | Too late ❌❌ |
Real deadline: Buy flood insurance before May 1, 2026 to have active coverage when the season starts June 1.
Are You in a Risk Zone?
Many think “I’m not in a flood zone.” Fact: 25-30% of flood claims come from low-risk zones. In Florida, with its low terrain and intense rainfall, virtually every home has some risk.
Wind Mitigation: Your Best Investment (Do It BEFORE June)
What It Is
A certified inspection that documents your home’s hurricane wind-resistant features. Insurers are required by law(§627.0629, Florida Statutes) to offer discounts for each verified feature.
The 6 Features and Their Discounts
| # | Feature | What They Look For | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roof Covering | Material and roof age | Moderate |
| 2 | Roof Deck Attachment | How plywood connects to frame (ring-shank nails, spacing) | Significant |
| 3 | Roof-to-Wall Connection | Clips vs single wraps vs double wraps | Very significant |
| 4 | Roof Geometry | Hip roof (4 sides) vs gable roof (2 sides) | Moderate |
| 5 | Secondary Water Resistance | Sealant barrier under shingles | Significant |
| 6 | Opening Protection | Certified shutters or impact windows | Very significant |
The Numbers
| Detail | Data |
|---|---|
| Inspection cost | $75 – $200 |
| Annual savings potential | $300 – $1,500+ |
| ROI | Pays for itself in 1-2 months |
| Validity | 5 years |
| Official form | OIR-B1-1802 |
Action: Schedule your inspection NOW. In April-May, inspectors get overwhelmed with requests.
Your Home Inventory: The Documentation That Saves Claims
If a hurricane damages your home, you need to PROVE what you had. Without documentation, the insurer can deny or reduce your claim.
How to Create Your Inventory in 30 Minutes
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Walk through each room recording video |
| 2 | Photograph valuable items (electronics, furniture, appliances) |
| 3 | Capture serial numbers and models |
| 4 | Save receipts for major purchases |
| 5 | Take photos of exterior: roof, walls, windows, fence, garage |
| 6 | Upload everything to the cloud (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox) |
| 7 | Update after major purchases or renovations |
Pro tip: Email the video to yourself. It stays saved with date and time as proof.
5 Upgrades That Protect Your Home AND Lower Your Premium
| Upgrade | Approximate Cost | Premium Savings | Real Protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane shutters | $1,500 – $5,000 | 25-40% | Protects windows from debris |
| Impact windows | $5,000 – $15,000+ | Up to 45% | Eliminates need for shutters |
| New roof (hip) | $8,000 – $20,000+ | 15-40% | Better aerodynamics against wind |
| Roof-to-wall straps | $1,500 – $3,000 | 15-30% | Prevents roof from detaching |
| Reinforced garage door | $500 – $2,000 | 5-10% | #1 failure point in high winds |
My Safe Florida Home Program
You don’t have to pay for everything out of pocket:
- FREE inspection from the state
- Grants up to $10,000 (state matches your investment)
- 2025-26 Budget: $280 million
- Requirements: Single-family home, building permit before January 2008
- How to apply: MyFloridaCFO.com
Claims Deadlines: What You Must Know
If a hurricane damages your home, there are strict deadlines:
| Action | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Report initial claim | Within 1 year of date of loss |
| Supplemental claim | Within 18 months of date of loss |
| Lawsuit against insurer | Within 5 years of date of loss |
Current example: Supplemental claims from Hurricane Milton (October 2024) are due by April 2026. If you suffered Milton damage and haven’t completed your claim, act NOW.
Florida and Hurricanes: The Numbers That Matter
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Billion-dollar disasters in Florida (1980-2024) | 94 events |
| Billion-dollar tropical cyclones in Florida | 36 events |
| Annual disaster average (2020-2024) | 6.8 events |
| Hurricane Ian cost (2022) | $109.5 billion |
| Hurricane Helene cost (2024) | $78.7 billion |
| Hurricane Milton cost (2024) | $34.3 billion |
| U.S. homes at hurricane risk | 32.7 million |
| Potential reconstruction cost | $10.8 trillion |
Your 2026 Pre-Hurricane Season Checklist
Insurance (February – March)
- Read your complete Declaration Page
- Verify hurricane deductible (how much will you pay out of pocket?)
- Confirm you have active wind coverage
- Verify Dwelling Coverage reflects current rebuilding costs
- Check for Law & Ordinance coverage (to rebuild to current code)
- Confirm Loss of Use coverage (temporary living expenses)
Inspections and Upgrades (March – April)
- Schedule Wind Mitigation inspection (form OIR-B1-1802)
- Submit results to your insurer to apply discounts
- Evaluate eligible upgrades (shutters, windows, roof)
- Apply for My Safe Florida Home Program
Flood Insurance (Before May 1)
- Check your flood zone on FEMA Flood Map
- Buy flood insurance (NFIP or private) before May 1
- Remember: 30-day waiting period before coverage is effective
Documentation (April – May)
- Create home inventory with photos and video
- Save receipts for valuable items
- Upload all documentation to the cloud
- Save insurer claims phone number in your phone
- Keep digital copy of your policy accessible from anywhere
Financial (Before June)
- Save funds equal to your hurricane deductible
- Consider adjusting deductible if you can’t save that amount
- Compare quotes from at least 3 insurers
Don’t Wait for the First Storm Cone
Every year, thousands of Floridians rush to buy insurance, make improvements, and search for answers when they see a hurricane approaching on radar. By then, many options are no longer available.
You have 4 months before June 1. That’s your window of opportunity to review your coverage, make improvements, save for your deductible, and make sure your family and home are protected.
💡 Don’t know where to start?
We can help you:
- Review your current policy and find coverage gaps
- Compare options from multiple insurers
- Understand exactly how much you’d pay out of pocket in a hurricane
- Coordinate wind mitigation inspection
- Evaluate whether you need flood insurance
📞 Call us for a FREE pre-season home insurance review.
