Home insurance in Fort Myers

Florida homeowners pay an average of $9,462 per year^* for home insurance on a property with a replacement cost value of $350,000. However, Fort Myers residents may pay more due to higher reconstruction costs and proximity to the coast, making homes more susceptible to hurricane and wind damage. 

^{*Based on data from the Consumer Federation of America}

Fort Myers insurers evaluate a variety of home-specific, policyholder, and regional characteristics when setting rates:

• Seasonal risk of windstorms, tropical storms, and hail

• Age, material, and wind-impact rating of your roof

• Age and construction of the home

• Access to emergency services, including proximity to fire stations and hydrants

• Local crime trends, particularly theft or vandalism-related risk

• Credit-based insurance scoring used by insurers in Florida

• Prior claims history for your home or surrounding area

• Dwelling coverage. Must match the full cost to rebuild your home with current local labor and materials.

• Other structures coverage. Typically set at around 10% of your dwelling limit, consider increasing coverage if you have external buildings, such as a detached garage, workshop, or gazebo, that exceed this amount.

• Personal property coverage. Generally, at least 50–70% of your dwelling limit to insure belongings like electronics, furniture, and clothing. Keeping a detailed home inventory ensures accurate coverage.

• Liability insurance. Opt for limits sufficient to protect your financial assets—including property equity, investments, and savings—against lawsuits or injury claims.

• Loss of use coverage. Usually set to 20% of your dwelling limit and can help cover the cost of hotel stays, meals, and other essential services if you are displaced after a covered loss. 

• Medical payments coverage. Offers $1,000 to $5,000 to cover minor injuries to guests on your property, regardless of fault.

A standard home insurance policy in Fort Myers offers broad protection against several types of losses, but it typically won't cover the following: 

• Animal and pest infestations

• Flooding

• Earthquakes, sinkholes, and other earth movements or shifts

• Most instances of mold or rot

• Normal wear and tear or maintenance issues

• Business activities

• Intentional damage

• Government action, war, and nuclear hazards

Given the risks of high rebuilding costs, flooding, and hurricanes in Fort Myers, homeowners should consider:

• Extended replacement cost coverage. Increases your dwelling coverage limit to compensate for higher rebuilding construction costs after a covered loss

• Ordinance or law coverage. Ideal for older homes that may need to be brought up to current building standards after a covered loss

• Water backup coverage. Protects against sewer and drain backups, especially in flood-affected areas

• Flood insurance. Provides financial protection after flooding, including that caused by storm surges, overflowing bodies of water, and extreme rainfall. 

Home insurance is not required in Fort Myers, but if you have a mortgage on your home, your lender will usually require you to have it. Your lender will likely also require flood insurance if your property is in a designated flood zone. 

Even if you don’t have a mortgage, a Fort Myers home insurance policy is a good investment.  After a loss, your policy can help cover the cost to repair, replace, or rebuild your property. Without it, you’d need to pay out of pocket.