Finding homeowners insurance in Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater, Florida is known for its sparkling water, white sandy beaches, and quaint restaurants and bars. It’s a laid-back city designed to feel intimate as a small town with the amenities of a big city.
But Clearwater and its surrounding cities are the fourth most likely to get hit by a major hurricane. The potential for a bad hurricane, flooding, and sinkhole risk make finding affordable homeowners insurance in Clearwater a challenge.
That said, Clearwater policyholders pay about $1,206 a year on average with Kin, well below the average premium for other carriers. If you’re interested in saving some money, get a quote today.
Clearwater home insurance costs
Homeowners insurance in Florida is known for being some of the most expensive in the nation. For all carriers, the state’s average homeowners insurance policy costs $1,951 a year, whereas Kin’s Florida policies average $1,354 a year. Clearwater home insurance costs an average of $1,206 with Kin, though prices vary depending on your home, its construction and age, and other factors.
To see how much prices vary based on carrier, take a look at the chart below. These rates are based on the value and construction of homes in Clearwater (part of Pinellas County).
| Home value |
Kin |
Security First |
Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company |
Tower Hill Preferred |
State Farm |
| $150k, Pre-2001 Construction, No Wind Mit |
$1,290 |
$2,107 |
$2,792 |
$2,738 |
$3,532 |
| $150k, Pre-2001 Construction w/ Wind Mit |
$970 |
$1,404 |
$1,237 |
$1,583 |
$2,332 |
| $300k New Construction |
$1,359 |
$2,433 |
$2,441 |
$2,731 |
$4,138 |
Pay special attention to the price difference between a small, older home with wind mitigation measures versus no wind mitigation measures. Wind mitigation can be the difference between a home weathering a hurricane and being completely destroyed, and the cost of your coverage reflects that.
Clearwater home insurance basics
Homeowners insurance can be confusing if you’ve never purchased it before, so let’s simplify it. These are the most important part of your policy:
- Replacement cost dwelling coverage: This is how much you have to rebuild or repair your home after a covered claim.
- Other structures coverage: This is protection for other structures on your property, including your garage, fence, shed, and more.
- Personal property insurance: Your belongings make your house a home, and this part of your policy protects them.
- Loss of use coverage: When your home is under repair for a covered claim, this helps you pay for expenses when you must temporarily live elsewhere.
- Personal liability coverage: If you’re sued over damage you accidentally cause to someone’s property, this helps pay for legal expenses.
- Medical payments coverage: When someone has a small injury on your property, this can help cover their medical bills.
Every home is different, so your policy may include coverages beyond these basics. Call 855-717-0022 to talk to a Kin representative for help tailoring your policy to your needs.
Covering specific risks in Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater home insurance policies cover the standard perils, such as fire, wind damage, vandalism, and theft. That a good thing considering Clearwater’s crime rate is 74 percent higher than average for Florida cities.
But it’s also important to understand how your insurance addresses major catastrophes. Let’s take a look.
Clearwater hurricane coverage
Clearwater sits along the central western shore of Florida. If a hurricane from the Gulf of Mexico doesn’t make landfall farther south, Clearwater could experience a direct hit. Its most recent brush with a major storm was Hurricane Irma in 2017. Fortunately, Irma was downgraded to a Category 1 storm before it hit Clearwater.
Hurricane insurance, included in all Kin policies, pays for damage from the high winds of the storm. During a hurricane, extreme winds can blow off roofs and completely destroy homes. When you make a hurricane claim, your hurricane deductible applies. This is usually a flat $500 or 2 percent, 5 percent, or 10 percent of your dwelling coverage.
Clearwater flood insurance
Most hurricanes bring severe storm surge with them. The barrier islands and coastal areas of Clearwater are most susceptible to flooding, though the entire region has risky flood zones. It’s important for homeowners to understand that neither homeowners nor hurricane insurance will cover floods.
Even one inch of water can lead to thousands of dollars in damage. That’s why Kin offers a low-cost flood endorsement to help you protect your home.
Sinkhole coverage in Clearwater
Clearwater’s low ocean level areas are prone to sinkholes. With the high concentration of limestone in the state and its history of flooding, the ground is susceptible to collapse.
Kin policies include coverage for catastrophic ground cover collapse to help address this risk. For more robust protection, we also offer sinkhole insurance.
Tips for lowering Clearwater home insurance rates
Don’t pay more for your coverage than you have to. The key to saving money long-term on your coverage is to avoid making claims when possible. If you can handle a small repair on your own, you’ll benefit over time.
Another way to save on your home insurance is to invest in risk management, such as:
- Installing protective devices.
- Reinforcing your roof.
- Installing hurricane shutters.
Wind mitigation credits can often help you save 20 to 25 percent on your premium each year.
We also offer discounts for:
- Living in a secured community.
- Having a home less than six years old.
- Signing up for an electronic policy.
Ready to see how we can help you? Get a quote online or call us at 855-717-0022with questions.
