Destin Homeowners Insurance

Set on the beach in Okaloosa County and also in the midst of one of the most hurricane-prone areas of Florida, Destin shares the unique distinction as a snowbird haven, vacation destination and, for the lucky year-rounders, the ultimate home.

The Florida Panhandle has long been known as the premier vacation destination for people across the Midwest and beyond. But, as its residents may know all too well, it’s also known as one of the most expensive places for homeowners insurance in Florida — and the rest of the country.

The vast increase in home insurance in Destin is largely attributed to its location on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s Panhandle region. Warm waters from the Gulf mix with cool air during the Atlantic Hurricane season for nearly six months, creating the perfect concoction of weather to produce mind-bending, extremely devastating hurricanes.

More hurricanes that hit Destin equates to more home insurance claims, which then increases premiums for everyone in the city. So let’s take a look at the average cost of homeowners insurance in Destin, Florida, as well as dive deeper into some topics surrounding the matter.

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Destin, Florida, is $3,793 per year for a $150,000 house, making it one of the pricier spots for home insurance in Florida compared to the state’s average of $3,325 per year for a similar home.

But you may not even be able to find a house in Destin for $150,000. For a house worth $300,000, you can expect to pay $6,884 per year and $9,871 per year for a $450,000 house.

Florida is one of the most costly states for homeowners insurance in the nation. However, if you put Destin’s numbers beside the South Florida cities of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach (three of the most expensive cities for homeowners insurance in the United States), Destin’s rates seem a little better.

Also, just because the average cost is $3,793 to $9,871 per year, that doesn’t mean you’ll always have to pay quite that much. Many factors go into the pricing of premiums, including which company you choose. So, let’s take a look at the breakdown of premiums based on Destin’s top insurers.

Just as the company you choose affects the price of your Destin homeowners insurance premiums, so does the age and construction of your home. The former is the biggest determinant of pricing in Destin — and all of Florida — due to the exorbitant number of hurricanes that make landfall in the state.

In 2001, lawmakers sought to curb the destruction of these hurricanes by requiring builders to meet more strict building codes. So every home built in Florida from 2001 to the present day must meet those standards or they can’t be sold to the general public.

The stricter building codes made way for hip roofs, which curtail heavy winds a bit better, and impact-resistant windows and doors, which help stop projectiles dead in their tracks. These measures are called wind mitigation — and insurers offer hefty discounts on home insurance premiums to those homeowners who meet these standards.

The premiums displayed in this article were obtained by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. They represent the most recent rate filings from the state’s largest insurers and can be utilized as an average of what Floridians can expect to pay for homeowners insurance each year. The example premiums are based on a policy for a Florida masonry home with a $500 non-hurricane deductible, a 2% hurricane deductible and no claims in the past three years.

Let’s take a deep dive into Destin home insurance rates on $150,000 houses.

As you can see by the numbers above, those homeowners with proper wind mitigation measures in effect can save thousands of dollars per year in premiums. 

But the difficult conundrum may not be getting the most affordable rates. It may be finding a house that only needs $150,000 of coverage. So we’ve broken down the numbers for homeowners insurance premiums in Destin for $300,000 and $450,000 houses so you can get a better sense of what you may pay.

Destin homeowners insurance covers your property and personal belongings from a variety of perils like hurricanes, water damage, tornadoes, fires and burglary. Plus it protects your finances against unexpected events like dog bites and an injury on your property that may or may not be your fault.

While your premiums may be based on your claims history, coverage amounts and your home’s location and crime in the area, you’ll always get the following coverages with your policy.

Hurricanes produce storm surge, which causes flooding. So do torrential rains, overflowing bodies and water and many other things. Unfortunately, flooding isn’t covered under homeowners insurance policies. And just 1 inch of floodwaters can cause up to $25,000 in damage.

The good thing is that flood insurance is just a fraction of the cost of homeowners insurance, tipping the scale as low as $300 for $300,000 worth of coverage in some instances. At Clovered, we can help pair you with the perfect flood insurance policy that fits your needs and your budget.

All you need to do is fill out our flood insurance form with a few details about your home. That will be sent directly to our team of licensed, in-house agents, who will get back to you with your options ASAP. We partner with FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, as well as many other private insurers.

You can check your flood zone with Destin’s new online portal to understand your risk. Homeowners in certain high-risk flood zones are typically required to purchase flood coverage by their lenders.

Getting the most affordable home insurance in Destin is easier than ever when using our online quoting tool. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your property, we’ll analyze the data in the background and then we’ll pair you with a policy that fits your needs — and your budget.

But if you find comfort in talking to real people — after all, home insurance is a big purchase — you can also count on us. We have a team of licensed, in-house agents and service team members who are ready and waiting for you! Simply reach them from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 833-255-4117 or email them anytime at [email protected].