Hurricane Season Isn't Over: Are You Prepared for Your Insurance Deductible?

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 05:13:34 GMT

Hurricane season is still underway, and while many Floridians prepare by stocking up on supplies and protecting their homes, there is another important step that can be easy to overlook: checking your homeowners' insurance deductible.

Knowing how much you may have to pay out of pocket after a hurricane can help you avoid an unexpected financial surprise.

Your Regular Deductible vs. Your Hurricane Deductible

A homeowner's policy typically has a regular deductible, often called an All-Other Perils (AOP) deductible; that applies to many covered losses.

A hurricane deductible is separate and applies when a covered loss falls within the policy definition of hurricane coverage.

Unlike an AOP deductible, which is often shown as a dollar amount, hurricane deductibles are commonly based on a percentage of your home dwelling coverage (Coverage A).

For example:

If your home has $400,000 in Coverage A and your policy has a 2% hurricane deductible, your hurricane deductible would be $8,000.

That means you could be responsible for $8,000 covered hurricane damage before your insurance coverage begins paying, subject to the terms and limits of your policy.

The hurricane deductible options available to you may vary depending on your insurance carrier, policy, and dwelling coverage amount.

When Does the Hurricane Deductible Apply?

Under Florida law, the hurricane period begins when the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for any part of Florida.

It ends 72 hours after the last hurricane watch or hurricane warning for any part of Florida has been terminated.

If your home experiences covered hurricane damage during this period, your hurricane deductible may apply.

Florida's Calendar-Year Hurricane Deductible

For personal residential property policies in Florida, hurricane deductibles generally apply on a calendar-year basis.

If you experience covered losses from more than one hurricane during the same calendar year, amounts already applied toward your hurricane deductible can matter when determining the deductible for a later hurricane claim. Depending on the circumstances, another deductible amount may still apply.

This is why it is important to keep documentation of hurricane-related losses and speak with your insurance carrier or agent about how your specific policy works.

Are You Prepared?

Before the next storm threatens Florida, take a few minutes to look at your homeowner's policy and ask yourself:

How much would that deductible be in actual dollars?
Could I comfortably cover that amount after a storm?
Is my current dwelling coverage sufficient to cover the estimated cost of rebuilding my home?
Do I understand what my policy covers and excludes?
Do I have separate flood coverage if I need it?

Remember, standard homeowners' insurance generally does not cover flood damage, so hurricane and flood protection should be considered separately.

Understanding Your Coverage Before the Storm

Insurance can be confusing, especially when different deductibles and types of coverage apply to different situations. The best time to understand your policy is before you need to file a claim.

If you have questions about your hurricane deductible or homeowners' coverage, Strohm Insurance Agency is here to help you understand what your policy says and what it means for you.

Stay safe this hurricane season,

The Team at Strohm Insurance Agency

Is Your Car Among Florida's Most Stolen Vehicles?

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 03:13:30 GMT

Is Your Car Among Florida's Most Stolen Vehicles?

When most people think of car theft, they picture expensive luxury vehicles. In reality, many of the vehicles most commonly stolen in Florida are everyday cars, trucks, and SUVs that millions of people drive.

These vehicles are often targeted because replacement parts are in high demand, making them easier to dismantle and sell. Some models have also become known for security vulnerabilities that make them easier to steal. While auto theft rates have declined over the past several years, thousands of vehicles are still stolen annually, making prevention more important than ever.

Some of the vehicles most frequently targeted by thieves include:

Hyundai Elantra
Honda Accord
Toyota Camry
Chevrolet Silverado
Honda Civic
Ford F-150
Nissan Altima
Toyota Corolla
Hyundai Sonata
Honda CR-V

While owning one of these vehicles doesn't mean it will be stolen, it does make it even more important to take simple precautions to protect your investment.

How to Help Protect Your Vehicle

Fortunately, there are several easy steps you can take to reduce your risk of vehicle theft:

Always lock your doors and close your windows—even when parked at home.
Never leave your keys or key fob inside your vehicle.
Park in well-lit, highly visible areas whenever possible.
Remove valuables from plain sight, including your dashboard, seats, and center console.
Consider using anti-theft devices such as steering wheel locks or GPS tracking systems.
If your vehicle has a push-button start or keyless entry, consider storing your key fob away from doors or windows and using a signal-blocking (Faraday) pouch to help reduce the risk of relay theft.

Does Your Auto Insurance Cover Theft?

One of the biggest misconceptions about auto insurance is that every policy covers vehicle theft. Unfortunately, that's not the case.If your vehicle is stolen, liability-only coverage does not pay to replace it.

Theft is generally covered under Comprehensive Coverage, which is an optional coverage available on most auto insurance policies.

If your vehicle is stolen and not recovered—or recovered with significant damage—comprehensive coverage may help cover your loss, subject to your deductible and policy terms.

Knowing what your policy covers before something happens can save you from unexpected financial hardship.

If you're unsure whether you have comprehensive coverage, our team would be happy to review your policy, explain your options, and help ensure you have the protection you need.

About Strohm Insurance Agency

At Strohm Insurance Agency, we're proud to help Florida families understand their insurance coverage and make confident decisions about protecting what matters most. Whether you're reviewing your current auto policy, adding a vehicle, making coverage changes, or simply have questions about your insurance, our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to help.

Contact us today—we're always happy to review your coverage and make sure you have the protection and peace of mind you deserve.

strohminsurance

Hurricane Season Isn't Over: Are You Prepared for Your Insurance Deductible?

Your Regular Deductible vs. Your Hurricane Deductible

When Does the Hurricane Deductible Apply?

Florida's Calendar-Year Hurricane Deductible

Are You Prepared?

Understanding Your Coverage Before the Storm

Is Your Car Among Florida's Most Stolen Vehicles?

Is Your Car Among Florida's Most Stolen Vehicles?

How to Help Protect Your Vehicle

Does Your Auto Insurance Cover Theft?

About Strohm Insurance Agency