TL;DR đź“ť
Most Florida homeowners are underinsured without realizing it. To avoid financial disaster:
- Calculate Coverage A (your main structure) using current rebuild costs.
- Increase Coverage B for fences, garages, sheds, and pools.
- Don’t underestimate contents coverage—replacement costs add up fast.
- Get at least one year of rent covered under Loss of Use.
- Beware of bundling discounts that don’t really save you money.
- Avoid force-placed insurance at all costs—it protects your bank, not you.
👉 Hire a public adjuster like Panther Public Adjusting to ensure your policy and claim payouts protect you, not the insurance company.
When it comes to protecting your Florida home, the most important decision you’ll make is how much insurance coverage to carry. 🏡 Unfortunately, too many homeowners find out the hard way that their policies fall short.
Insurance agents often rely on automated programs that spit out numbers, leaving homeowners underinsured when disaster strikes. This is why working with a public adjuster like Panther Public Adjusting from the start is so critical. We don’t work for the insurance company—we work for you, ensuring your policy and your payouts actually match the real value of your home and belongings.
In this article, we’ll break down the different types of coverage, how to calculate what you really need, and why a public adjuster is your best defense against being left without enough protection.
Coverage A: Your Primary Structure
Coverage A represents your home’s main structure. To calculate the right amount:
- Talk to a construction professional and ask: “What’s the current cost per square foot to rebuild a home like mine?”
- Multiply that cost by your total square footage.
- Don’t forget to add upgrades like pools, saunas, or custom finishes.
For example, if the cost is $200 per square foot and your home is 2,000 sq. ft., you’ll need at least $400,000 in Coverage A. With construction costs rising yearly, it’s essential to update this calculation every time your policy renews.
💡 Many Florida homeowners in Englewood are surprised when they learn their homes would cost far more to rebuild today than when they bought them. That’s why working with Englewood’s trusted public adjusters is a smart choice.
Coverage B: Other Structures
Coverage B protects detached structures such as:
- Fences (often $10,000+)
- Sheds (around $5,000)
- Detached garages
- Detached pools
Most insurance companies only allocate 2%–10% of Coverage A for other structures. That means if your main coverage is $300,000, you might only have $6,000–$30,000 for everything else on your property.
This is rarely enough. Homeowners in Palmetto and other Florida cities often learn after a hurricane or storm that their detached garage alone can exceed their Coverage B limit. That’s where Palmetto’s leading public adjusters step in to fight for the proper payout.
Coverage C: Personal Contents
Contents coverage reimburses you for your personal belongings. Many homeowners underestimate this category.
Consider this example:
👕 A shirt may sell for $1 at a garage sale, but if it cost $35 new, that’s what your insurance must cover. Multiply that by every item in your home, and you’ll quickly realize $50,000 in coverage isn’t enough.
👉 We recommend a minimum of $100,000 in contents coverage.
⚠️ Be aware: Most policies cap certain categories like jewelry, guns, art, and cash at $2,500. If you own high-value items in these groups, request a rider or separate policy to avoid losing out.
If you’re unsure whether your current policy properly protects your belongings, email us your policy for review at Claims@PantherPA.com. Our experts will check it for free.
Coverage D: Loss of Use
Loss of Use covers your living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable.
- Look up the average rent in your neighborhood.
- Multiply that number by 12 months.
- That’s your minimum coverage requirement.
Example: If a similar home rents for $3,000 per month, you’ll need at least $36,000 in Loss of Use coverage. For extra protection, plan for two years.
Homeowners in Sarasota, where rental prices are rising, often find that the standard Loss of Use included in their policy falls short. That’s why turning to Sarasota’s premier public adjusters is the smartest move.
Should You Bundle Home and Auto Insurance?
It’s tempting to get your home insurance with the same company that handles your auto policy, especially with the promise of a “multi-policy discount.” But bundling isn’t always the best deal.
Here’s why:
- The discount may not outweigh cheaper home policy options elsewhere.
- Some companies—like State Farm—are known for fighting claims instead of paying them.
No small discount is worth years of battling an insurance company in court. A public adjuster can help you compare policies and identify which company actually protects homeowners when disaster strikes.
What Happens If You Can’t Pay for Insurance?
Life happens—premiums rise, and some homeowners consider dropping their coverage. But if you stop paying, your mortgage company will place a force-placed insurance policy on your home.
⚠️ Force-placed insurance is a trap:
- It costs more than a normal policy.
- It protects the bank, not you.
This means you’ll pay higher premiums for less protection. A public adjuster can help you avoid this nightmare by reviewing your options before you ever reach that point.
Why You Need a Public Adjuster in Florida
Florida’s insurance landscape is one of the toughest in the country. Hurricanes, fires, and floods create billions in damage each year. Insurance companies have armies of adjusters on their side—you deserve an expert fighting for you.
At Panther Public Adjusting, we:
- Review your policy for free 📧 Claims@PantherPA.com
- Fight denied, delayed, or underpaid claims đź’Ş
- Maximize settlements so you can rebuild faster đźŹ
- Provide guidance before, during, and after disaster strikes
If you’re in Tampa, Tampa’s #1 public adjusters are ready to fight for you.
Resources & Related Reading
To better understand your coverage, check out these guides:
- What does my insurance policy mean and what coverages do I have?
- What you must do if a tree falls on your house
- Are insurance carriers committing fraud in the handling of Hurricane Ian claims?
Connect With Us
đź“ş Visit our YouTube channel, My Insurance Claim Expert, for more homeowner tips and real claim stories.
đź‘Ą Join our Facebook community, Anything About Property Insurance Claims 101, to learn from other Florida homeowners.
Call to Action
👉 Ready to make sure your home and family are protected? Contact Panther Public Adjusting today:
đź“ž Call us at 833-726-8437
📧 Email your policy for a free review: Claims@PantherPA.com
đź’» Submit your details at pantherpa.com/#contact
Don’t wait until it’s too late—get the coverage and support you deserve.
FAQ âť“
1. How do I know if I’m underinsured in Florida?
If your coverage doesn’t reflect current rebuild costs, detached structures, or replacement value of belongings, you’re likely underinsured. A public adjuster can review your policy and compare it to real market conditions.
2. Is force-placed insurance ever a good option?
No. Force-placed insurance is more expensive and mainly protects your lender. It leaves homeowners with limited rights and reduced coverage. Always secure your own policy.
3. Why should I hire a public adjuster instead of handling a claim myself?
Insurance companies employ adjusters to minimize payouts. A licensed Florida public adjuster, like Panther Public Adjusting, levels the playing field by fighting for the maximum settlement you deserve.