Florida’s homeowners insurance market has faced some turbulence in recent years. Many homeowners are finding it increasingly difficult to get coverage for their homes, let alone at an affordable rate. Fortunately, Tampa residents still have options.
State Farm, Travelers, and Nationwide are the cheapest home insurance companies in the city. These companies offer home insurance at a significantly lower rate than the average cost of home insurance in Tampa, which is $2,400 per year for a $300,000 policy with a $1,000 deductible.
It’s important to compare all your options, so keep reading to learn more about the best companies for homeowners insurance in Tampa, Florida.
Tampa faces several weather risks, like hurricanes and the high likelihood of flooding, so you may need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy.
On average, home insurance in Tampa costs $2,640 per year for a $300,000 policy with a $500 deductible.
A high population density and Florida’s unstable insurance market contribute to Tampa’s high home insurance costs.
Best home insurance companies in Tampa
Although some home insurance companies no longer provide new policies in Florida, many quality insurers still serve homeowners in Tampa. The right policy for you won’t be the same as your neighbor’s, so it’s important to evaluate your situation to find the best home insurance company for you.
The table below shows the best companies for home insurance in Tampa and their premiums with a $300,000 policy.
Travelers: Best for cheap rates
Nationwide: Best for flood insurance
Security First Insurance: Best for senior homeowners
Security First Insurance, based in Florida, offers unique policy discounts. People 65 years and older account for 13% of Tampa residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.[?] If you’re 55 or older, you can snag a senior discount on your Security First Insurance policy.
Coverage offerings catered to Florida residents
Many available discounts
Coverage limits of up to $5 million
No home and auto bundling discount
No AM Best financial strength rating
Low Better Business Bureau rating
Armed Forces Insurance Exchange: Best for military personnel
MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa Bay employs more than 15,000 military and civilian personnel.[?] If you’re an active-duty military member, veteran, or family member of one, look into home insurance by Armed Forces Insurance Exchange for coverage that aligns with your unique needs.
Flood and earthquake insurance add-ons available
Hurricane and flood-mitigation discounts
Exclusive member benefits
Requires military affiliation
AM Best withdrew its financial strength rating
No mobile app
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation: Best for people who don’t qualify for other coverage
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is a good option for Tampa homeowners who aren’t able to successfully enroll in other coverage. You can qualify for coverage from Citizens only if you’re first unable to find a policy from a private insurer or your quoted premiums are more than 20% higher than what Citizens quotes you.[?]
The not-for-profit company has a depopulation program aimed at shifting homeowners back into the private insurance market. Through this program, you have to switch to a new insurance company if an approved private insurer offers you a comparable policy with a premium that’s not more than 20% higher than your existing Citizens coverage.
It’s important to note that if you buy a Citizens home insurance policy, you also need to purchase flood insurance.[?]
Coverage for homeowners who otherwise wouldn’t qualify
Matches policyholders with private insurers
Offers stand-alone wind coverage
Required to buy flood insurance
Low BBB rating
May need to pay additional surcharges
Our editorial team analyzed regional and national home insurance companies that sell policies in Tampa 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 Tampa?
The average annual cost of a standard homeowners insurance policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible is $2,400 per year in Tampa, compared to the statewide annual average of $2,479, Insurify data shows.
But the cost of your policy depends on your home’s age, value, and location. For example, an older home with a higher replacement cost in a high-risk area will likely have increased home insurance premiums.
Cheapest home insurance companies in Tampa
The cheapest home insurance company in Tampa is State Farm, with an average monthly rate of $388 for a $300,000 dwelling policy with a $1,000 deductible.
Below, you can compare average quotes from some other cheap insurers in Tampa for different dwelling coverage amounts.
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $3,600 |
| Nationwide | $4,536 |
| Allstate | $4,872 |
| Chubb | $6,408 |
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $6,480 |
| Allstate | $9,804 |
| Nationwide | $9,960 |
| Chubb | $15,324 |
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $8,736 |
| Allstate | $14,004 |
| Nationwide | $14,136 |
| Chubb | $21,648 |
The state of home insurance in Florida
Florida is the most expensive state for home insurance. The average annual cost for a policy in the Sunshine State was $14,140 in 2024, and Insurify data estimates it will increase to $15,460 by the end of 2025.
The state is in the path of hurricanes every year, and Floridians filed nearly 458,000 hurricane claims just last year. Hurricanes Helene and Milton combined to cause more than $100 billion in damages last year, and since 2020, climate disasters have cost Florida roughly $237 billion, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).[?]
These payouts put an enormous strain on insurance companies, and many have withdrawn from offering coverage in the state altogether. In fact, 16 insurers have left the state, and another 16 have gone insolvent since 2017.
If you’re a new homeowner in Florida, you should know that finding home insurance is challenging and that you’ll likely pay expensive premiums for your home insurance policy.
How much homeowners insurance do you need in Tampa?
You should buy enough home insurance to fully rebuild your home and replace your personal belongings in Tampa. Florida experiences frequent flooding, high winds, and hurricanes, which increase the risk of damage to homes.
Your Tampa home insurance policy should include dwelling, personal property, liability, and loss of use coverage.
Dwelling coverage: To start, your dwelling coverage should equal the replacement cost of your home, not its market value.
Personal property coverage: Your personal property coverage should equal about 50%–70% of your dwelling coverage amount. Take a home inventory of your belongings to make sure you buy enough personal property coverage.
Liability coverage: The minimum amount of liability insurance you can typically get is $100,000, but many homeowners carry up to $300,000 or more.
Additional living expenses coverage: Loss of use coverage is also critical in Tampa, as it provides temporary housing if a covered peril renders your home uninhabitable. Home insurance policies typically include loss of use coverage equal to 20% of your insurance policy.[?]
While not included in standard home insurance, flood, hurricane, and windstorm insurance are also crucial protections for Tampa homeowners. You’ll need to buy separate policies for these, but the extra cost is often worth the added protection. Not every insurer offers flood insurance, so you may need to go through the NFIP for coverage.
What to know about home insurance in Tampa, FL
You should keep a few things at the top of your mind when buying a home insurance policy in Tampa. Florida is prone to numerous climate and weather risks, and you’ll want to make sure you have sufficient insurance for your home.
Home insurance coverage for hurricanes and flooding
Standard home insurance policies often don’t sufficiently cover your home’s risks, especially in places like Tampa. While standard policies cover some wind damage, insurers often exclude it in high-risk areas like Tampa. Some insurers offer hurricane and windstorm insurance that you can purchase as add-ons or separate policies.
Florida home insurance policies also include hurricane deductibles, which are typically much higher than standard deductibles. These deductibles are typically 2%, 5%, or 10% of your dwelling policy amount. Hurricane deductibles apply starting at the time the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning and end 72 hours after the last hurricane watch.[?]
Tampa homeowners can get flood insurance coverage through private insurance companies, but it’s often very expensive, and not every insurer offers it. If you can’t afford or get flood insurance through a private insurer, you can go through the NFIP for coverage.
How to get home insurance in Tampa
Follow these steps to get the right home insurance coverage for your Tampa home:
Assess your coverage needs. Consider the cost of rebuilding your home and replacing your belongings when deciding on your limits. Think about your home’s value, location, and risk factors.
Compare home insurance quotes. Shop around and compare policies and quotes from multiple insurance companies. Consider coverages, reviews, and other factors beyond just the price.
Explore add-on coverages. Consider what additional coverages each insurer offers, such as flood, hurricane, and windstorm insurance. Standard policies don’t typically include these coverages, but they’re important for Florida homeowners.
Consider Florida’s FAIR Plan. If you’re having trouble finding coverage through the private market, take a look at Florida’s FAIR Plan offered by Citizens Property Insurance.
Review and buy your policy. Take a final, thorough look at your policy. Make sure you understand your coverages, exclusions, limits, and deductibles. Once you feel comfortable with your coverage, buy your policy.
Average cost of home insurance in other cities in Florida
Different cities and ZIP codes within a state have varying home insurance quotes. Natural disasters, a high population density, and increased insurance fraud activity make homes in Tampa particularly risky to insure.[?] As a result, homeowners in this area will likely pay higher insurance costs.
Take a look at the table below for the average annual premium of a $300,000 policy in various cities in Florida.
City | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Tampa homeowners insurance FAQs
Buying home insurance in Tampa can be difficult and expensive. Here’s some additional information to help guide your search.
Home insurance in Tampa costs an average of $2,400 annually for a policy with a $1,000 deductible, according to Insurify data. With a $500 deductible, homeowners pay an average of $2,640 annually for coverage.
Tampa homes are particularly vulnerable to flooding, with 40.3% of homes at risk. Standard home insurance doesn’t include flood insurance, so homeowners in these areas should consider purchasing a separate flood insurance policy.
State Farm offers the cheapest rates for home insurance in Tampa. Homeowners with State Farm pay a monthly average of $388 for a $300,000 policy with a $1,000 deductible.
The best home insurance company in Tampa looks different for each homeowner, but a few insurers stand out above the rest. For example, Travelers is one of the best for affordable rates, Nationwide is one of the best for flood insurance, and Security First is best for senior homeowners. It’s a good idea to compare quotes from multiple companies before buying a policy.
No. Homeowners insurance isn’t a legal requirement in Tampa. But your mortgage company or lender will probably require you to have it.
Home insurance can be a valuable protection even if you’ve paid off your loan because your home may be your largest asset. It can protect you from financial ruin in the event of a natural disaster, protect your valuables, and help you repair your home after a covered event.
Florida has the highest home insurance rates in the country for a few reasons. One is that many insurers are pulling out of the state or sending non-renewal notices because of financial risks and rampant fraudulent practices.
Another reason is that much of the state is vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, like hurricanes. Insurance companies have to offset the financial risk by charging higher premiums. Lastly, much of the state is at a high risk of flooding. Florida saw two-thirds of all NFIP claims in 2023.
These factors make Florida homes very risky to insure, so homeowners face high premiums.
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