Homeowners Insurance in Valrico, Florida

Valrico’s green grass and sunny skies, along with its proximity to Tampa, make it an attractive option for Hillsborough County residents. 

If you don’t have homeowners insurance in Valrico, you’d be responsible for paying for all property damage your house could suffer out of pocket.

Home insurance offers valuable protection and peace of mind. Keep reading for all the details you need to know about finding the best homeowners insurance in Valrico.

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Valrico is $3,610 annually on a $150,000 home, $6,541 on a $300,000 home, and $9,379 on a $450,000 home.

Florida sports some of the highest home insurance rates in the country due to climbing property values and the consistent threat of hurricanes, among other factors.

While exact premiums vary due to many factors, rates in Valrico tend to be above the state average, as they have risen in recent years. The table below lists average home insurance rates in Valrico from some popular insurance companies for houses at three different price points.

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.

Home value matters in home insurance because larger, more expensive homes need more insurance coverage. And, the more coverage you get, the higher your insurance premiums will be.

Carriers typically determine home value by your home’s replacement cost, which is the cost of materials and labor needed to rebuild your house from scratch. This differs from your home’s selling price or market value, so don’t expect the two to match when you’re getting a quote and setting your policy limits.

Two more critical factors of insurance rates include home age and wind mitigation. Carriers are concerned about home age because older houses are more prone to damage. Their systems, from pipes to roofs to siding, accumulate wear and tear that can exacerbate property damage. As a result, older houses often have higher rates.

Since hurricanes are a major issue in Florida, wind mitigation can lower your rates. Insurance companies reward homeowners who take measures to limit storm damage by fitting their houses with features that help their dwellings withstand strong winds.

Let’s take a look at how insurers use home age and wind mitigation when determining premiums.

In the table below, we further break down Valrico homeowners insurance rates on $150,000 homes. Observe the effects of house age and wind mitigation on average premiums.

As you can see, wind mitigation greatly reduces premiums on older homes. It cut average rates from some carriers, such as American Platinum, by over 50%. Newer houses had the lowest average rates of the three categories. Take a look at premiums from home insurance companies in Valrico for $300,000 homes.

The final table lists rates for $450,000 homes, which can exceed $10,000 annually without wind mitigation.

In many cases, State Farm offered the cheapest homeowners insurance in Valrico. However, there is no cheapest carrier by default, as rates vary by company and policyholder.

Everyone wants to save money on home insurance and pay as little as possible. But, the cheapest option isn’t always the best option. Don’t skimp on coverage. You should strike the right balance between affordability and quality protection, which is why shopping around for insurance is essential.

When you shop around, you can compare rates, customer service, and coverage options to see which company can serve you best.

The most common type of homeowners insurance is the HO3 policy form, which contains property and liability protections. These coverage areas are typically divided into six sections as follows:

Dwelling coverage in home insurance financially protects your home and its structural components from damage caused by a covered peril. From the roof, walls, and flooring to the pipes, wiring, and water heater, dwelling coverage, or Coverage A as it’s sometimes called, has you covered. 

Other structures coverage accounts for components on your property not attached to your main house, and protects them should they incur damage from a covered peril. Other structures coverage, sometimes called Coverage B, may cover things such as fences, sheds, and detached garages.

Personal property coverage covers your belongings if they’re damaged by a covered peril or stolen. Personal property coverage, or Coverage C, may protect things like furniture, clothing, televisions, computers, bicycles, tools, jewelry, and more.

Loss of use coverage may help you cover living expenses you incur if you must move out of your house after it suffers damage from a covered loss, such as a fire or hurricane. This coverage, also known as Coverage D, may help you pay for necessities like food, lodging, or gasoline.

Liability coverage can help you pay for medical bills and legal fees if you’re found liable in court for someone’s injury at your property or damage to someone else’s property. It’s also called Coverage E. 

Medical payments coverage is designed to cover minor injuries someone may suffer on or around your property, regardless of fault. It may appear on some policies as Coverage F. 

The best homeowners insurance in Valrico will cover your property and finances at a price you can afford. You must know your coverage needs, and you’ll likely need to shop around to find the right policy.

You set your policy limits when you get quotes for a policy. You can follow a few steps to ensure you’re setting appropriate limits while not overpaying or underinsuring yourself. 

Make a home inventory to determine your personal property coverage limits. A home inventory documents all your personal belongings and their estimated values, serving as a detailed record for you and your insurance company. 

By cataloging your belongings, you can assess the total value of your assets and purchase the exact value of personal property coverage you need to replace them. And, it’s a helpful resource if you ever need to file an insurance claim.

Insurer recommendations for dwelling, other structures, and loss of use coverage are typically acceptable. But, think about raising your liability limits beyond the minimum amount suggested.

Liability limits are relatively cheap to increase. In the unlikely instance that someone sues you for an injury, you don’t want to be caught short. Medical bills and legal costs can rack up very quickly, and you don’t want to personally be on the hook if your liability coverage runs out.

As mentioned earlier, shopping around to find the right coverage is essential. Compare rates, endorsements, available discounts, and customer service when shopping around. It’s wise to consider well-known national carriers like Liberty Mutual and smaller, regional carriers in Florida for different market exposures.

Although it is inland compared to other places in the county, Valrico is still susceptible to flooding, especially during hurricane season. Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage.

Storm surges, mudslides, coastal erosion, and flash flooding from heavy rains can cause flood damage. These occur more commonly than you think, and they’re very costly. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that just one inch of floodwaters can cause over $20,000 in damage.

Know that home insurance won’t help you in case of a flood, and you should consider flood insurance in Valrico for complete protection. Recently, local officials have urged the importance of flood insurance in the Tampa Bay area.

Insurance companies use a variety of elements to calculate home insurance premiums, and while the specific criteria may vary among providers, the following are some of the most critical factors that insurers typically consider in Valrico:

Your home’s location can increase the likelihood of damage. For instance, homes near the ocean in Florida tend to have higher premiums due to increased chances of flood and hurricane damage. Homes near fire stations receive discounts.

Certain characteristics of your house can also raise rates. Having pools or trampolines, known as attractive nuisances, increases the likelihood of liability claims and raises insurance costs. Owning certain aggressive dog breeds can also raise premiums.

Your policy details also influence rates. The higher your policy limits, the higher your premiums. Also, opting for endorsements to supplement coverage will increase costs. And, raising or lowering your deductible will change your premiums.

While no law requires homeowners insurance in Valrico, mortgage lenders can. Lenders mandate insurance policies as part of home loans to protect their investments.

If you bought a house with a mortgage, your lender put money down with you to make the purchase. If your house gets destroyed, your lender can recoup their investment through the insurance policy. 

If you don’t maintain your own coverage while you have a mortgage, your lender will force place insurance on you. Force-placed insurance is more expensive and less comprehensive than standard coverage, so be sure to stay on top of your insurance payments and effective dates.

We’ve emphasized the importance of shopping around for home insurance quotes in Valrico. Make it easy with the help of Clovered, an independent insurance agency based in South Florida.

Clovered was founded with one purpose: simplify the process of getting insurance. In Florida, where market challenges are great, we have two straightforward ways for you to quote.

Compare rates online with our online quote tool. As an independent agency, we partner with several of the top home insurance companies in Valrico, Florida. You can see your options in minutes.

Or, call us at 833-255-4117 during business hours to speak with a licensed and get a quote. We’re happy to help you find the coverage you need at the price you want. You can also email us at agent@clovered.com.