Know your number
Hurricane deductible calculator
See your hurricane deductible in dollars and roughly what a covered loss would pay after it. Use the dollar limit and deductible from your declarations page.
Your numbers
Your declarations page lists the hurricane deductible in dollars; Florida law requires insurers to show it there.
$400,000 × 2% = $8,000 deductible. $60,000 − $8,000 = about $52,000 before other limits.
Illustration only. Every policy and loss is different; depreciation, limits, other deductibles, and prior payments aren't included. Not a settlement prediction.
Hurricane deductible FAQ (Florida)
What is a hurricane deductible?
It is the deductible that applies to loss caused by a hurricane. Florida law requires a policy with a separate hurricane deductible to say so on its face, and for personal residential policies the insurer must show the hurricane deductible's actual dollar value on the declarations page (Fla. Stat. 627.701(4)). It is often a percentage of the dwelling (Coverage A) limit, such as 2%, 5% or 10%. Before issuing a personal residential policy, insurers must offer hurricane deductibles of $500, 2%, 5% and 10% of the dwelling limit, with exceptions for some higher-value homes (627.701(3)).
Is it a bill I pay the insurer?
No. The deductible is subtracted from the covered loss when the claim is paid. Illustration only: a $400,000 dwelling limit with a 2% hurricane deductible is $8,000, so a $60,000 covered loss would pay about $52,000 before depreciation, other limits or prior payments. Every policy and loss is different.
How often does it apply? Once per hurricane?
For personal residential policies issued or renewed on or after May 1, 2005, Florida applies the hurricane deductible on an annual basis to all covered hurricane losses in the same calendar year with the same insurer or insurer group (627.701(5)(a)). If you already had a hurricane loss that year, the insurer may apply the greater of the remaining hurricane deductible or your other-perils deductible to a later hurricane. Insurers may ask you to report hurricane losses below the deductible, or keep receipts, so they can count toward later claims. Note that this is per calendar year, not per hurricane season. Don't assume a loss is below your deductible just because someone says so. Hurricane damage is often bigger than it looks: hidden roof, interior water and contents damage add up fast. Get it documented and reviewed before you decide. Get a free policy and claim review from American Financial Claims.
When does the hurricane deductible apply instead of my regular deductible?
Under Florida law, a hurricane is a storm system the National Hurricane Center has declared a hurricane. The hurricane period in Florida starts when NHC issues a hurricane warning for any part of Florida and ends 72 hours after the last hurricane watch or warning for any part of Florida ends (627.4025(2)(c)). Hurricane coverage includes wind damage during a hurricane and interior rain damage that comes through an opening the wind created first (627.4025(2)(a)).
Does it apply to non-hurricane wind, like a tropical storm or thunderstorm?
The statutory definition is tied to a declared hurricane and the warning-based time window above. Wind damage outside that window, for example from a tropical storm that never becomes a hurricane, is generally handled under the policy's other-perils (all other perils) deductible, but your policy wording controls. Some policies use a broader windstorm or named-storm deductible, so check your declarations page and endorsements.
Does the hurricane deductible apply to flood?
Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood. Flood is usually a separate policy with its own deductible. Check both policies.
Sources: Florida Statutes 627.701 and 627.4025 (2025). General information, not legal advice; your policy wording controls. See also the before-the-storm photo checklist.