Finding Homeowners Insurance in Tallahassee, Florida

Though Tallahassee is Florida's capital and home of Florida State University and Florida A&M University, it's possibly wholly known in the scientific neighborhood as the home of the world's most powerful electron microscope.

But you don't have to be a science buff to enjoy living in Tallahassee. With a vibrant urban neighborhood, parks and gardens, and outdoor projects, there's something for everyone.

Yet homeowners here face nearly 60 inches of rainfall every year, meaning flooding is a real danger. Those trying affordable Florida homeowner’s insurance can get it through Moran Insurance, where our average rate in Tallahassee is $974 a year.

Tallahassee Home Insurance Costs

The average homeowner's insurance rate in Florida for all carriers combined is $1,951, making Florida one of the most expensive states for homeowners’ insurance. Moran Insurance is considerably also affordable, with an average state-wide premium of $1,091 a year. In Tallahassee, homeowners can get a policy that covers both standard perils and hurricanes for as small as $875 yearly.

That declared, your policy's price depends on your home's age, size, construction, and exact location. Your property coverage and liability limits also impact the cost of your coverage.

Comparing the cost of homeowner's insurance in Tallahassee (part of Leon County), you see the prices vary widely between Moran Insurance and other insurance companies.

The rates also illustrate the savings policyholders' experience when purchasing a newly built home or fixing wind mitigation features.

A newer home may be considerably more affordable to insure because new homes are built to meet stricter building codes to withstand hurricanes better. As you can see, a new house twice the value is just $200 more a year to insure.

If your home has unique features – like a hurricane screen enclosure or swimming pool – talk to your Moran Insurance representative, and we can help you protect them.

Basics of Tallahassee Home Insurance

If you've ever seen your insurance policy's declarations page and wondered what it all means, you're not alone. Insurance has a reputation for being difficult, so let's keep it simple.

When buying homeowners insurance in Tallahassee, Florida, pay attention to the public on your declarations page:

• Other structures coverage

This helps you fix or rebuild other structures on your property, such as your garage, shed, etc.

• Replacement cost dwelling coverage

This is how much you have to restore your home to its pre-claim condition.

• Private property coverage

This is the total value of your personal belongings, such as clothing, machines, electronics vinyl collection, etc.

• Mainly, liability coverage

This is how much your provider will pay toward a claim that you damaged someone's property.

• Lack of use coverage

This can help you pay for extra living expenses, like staying in a hotel while your house is under repair for a covered claim.

• Medical fees coverage

This is how much your provider will cover for "favorable injuries" on your property – i.e., someone requires medical attention but isn't likely to sue you.

Of course, depending on your residence and your requirements, your policy may comprise additional coverages.

Covering Big Risks in Tallahassee, Florida

Tallahassee home insurance policies cover standard perils, such as theft, fire, and water destruction created by a pipe bursting. In Florida, we talk a lot about flooding and hurricanes, but crime in Tallahassee is high. Make sure you are included for natural disasters and that your personal property is sufficiently covered for theft.

Tallahassee Insurance Hurricane Coverage

While storms that move up the eastern coast can hit Tallahassee, its most prominent hazard is from storms like Hurricane Michael that move northeast from the Florida Panhandle. Though numerous winds that make landfall to the east or south generally die down before reaching Tallahassee, the region is still prone to storms.

Hurricane insurance pays for the damage created by the high winds of a hurricane. The winds can damage roofs or send tree branches and other debris through houses, causing thousands of dollars in losses. Moran Insurance policies cover hurricane insurance, and homeowners can prefer a hurricane deductible of $500 or 2 percent, 5 percent, or 10 percent of the home's replacement cost. This is separate from your standard home insurance deductible.

Tallahassee Flood Insurance

Four main waterways cause flooding in Tallahassee: The West Drainage Ditch, the East Drainage Ditch, the Central Drainage Ditch, and the Northeast Drainage Ditch. This doesn't mean other areas of the city are without flood risk, but these areas can be particularly risky during heavy rains.

Flooding in these areas is frequently just inches deep but can flood garages, basements, and street-level floors. Moran Insurance offers a flood endorsement to help homeowners deal with this kind of risk and save money on flood coverage.

Sinkhole Coverage in Tallahassee

Sinkholes can occur in any part of Florida due to the high concentration of limestone in the ground, but the middle of Tallahassee is unusually susceptible to sinkholes. The swamplands erode limestone in the field and lead to collapse.

Sinkholes aren't just in the remote part of the city; in 2014 and 2018, two sinkholes appeared in residents' yards sequentially. Luckily, no one was hurt. Kin's coverage for sinkholes assists protect residents in areas where ground collapse is more common

Resources and References:

• About Tallahassee, Florida
• Tallahassee Hurricane Risk