Gainesville may be best known as the home of the University of Florida Gators, but sports fans aren’t the only folks drawn to this city. Bustling with students and retirees alike, Gainesville also offers plenty of outdoor beauty – like the Butterfly Rainforest and its hundreds of free-flying butterflies and birds.
While Gainesville doesn't sit on either coastline, it still faces Florida’s signature weather and natural disasters, like hurricanes, flooding, and sinkholes. That’s one reason why homeowners insurance is so important, and why it often costs more in Florida.
How much is home insurance in Gainesville?
Gainesville isn’t immune to the pressures that impact Florida home insurance rates. However, our members in Gainesville on average pay $1,882 per year. That’s significantly lower than the statewide average annual premium of $2165.
Factors affecting Gainesville home insurance costs
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Positive factors
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Negative factors
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Inland location
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High property crime rate
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Extreme wind risk
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As a whole, Florida struggles with costly reinsurance and a disproportionate amount of lawsuits. But Gainesville residents may have lower home insurance premiums than the rest of the Sunshine State because of their inland location. This doesn’t mean the city doesn’t experience hurricanes, simply that the impact is less than it is on the coast.
We should also note that Risk Factor says Gaineville has extreme wind risk because of the potential for hurricanes, severe storms, and tornadoes hitting the area. That risk can drive up costs, as can property crime. Unfortunately, your chance of being a victim of burglary, larceny, and arson in Gainesville is one in 32.
Why choose Kin?
We’ve been serving Florida homeowners since 2016, and more importantly, we’re dedicated to staying there – even as other insurers withdraw from the state. Tocover homes in catastrophe-prones states, we’ve developed technology to mine publicly available insurance data. This allows us to price your home for its unique risks.
We also offer several discounts to help you further reduce your home insurance bill. These include discounts for:
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Installing wind mitigation features.
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Using security systems.
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Living in a secured community.
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Getting fire and water leak detectors.
Some homeowners also choose a higher deductible to reduce their premium. In Gainesville, your homeowners policy will have two deductibles:
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Standard deductible. Options include $500, $1000, $2,500 $5,000, $10,000, $25,000, $50,000.
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Hurricane deductible. Options include $500 or 1%,2%, 3%, 5%,10% of your Coverage A.
Please note that you need to be able to cover your deductible in even a worst case scenario, so only select an amount you’re comfortable paying.
Remember, too, that no two houses are alike, so the best way to know how much you may pay for home insurance is to apply for a quote.
Additional coverage for Gainesville homeowners
Another important thing to keep in mind about home insurance? No policy can cover everything. For homeowners, that sometimes means getting additional coverage, like flood insurance.
Flood insurance
Gainesville tends to see floods near bodies of water and creek systems, such as Little Hatchet Creek,Clear Lake, and Newnans Lake. These plus the wetland areas create several flood zones in Alachua County, including:
That alone makes flood insurance in Alachua County a good idea for many homeowners. But even if your home isn’t in one of these flood zones, you may want to consider getting flood insurance. More than 20% of flood claims occur outside of high-risk areas.
When you get a home insurance quote, be sure to add flood insurance to the mix. It doesn’t cost extra to check, and you may be surprised at how affordable the coverage is.
Home insurance FAQ
Protecting your home from risk is essential in Gainesville. Make sure you’re getting the appropriate coverage by asking smart questions. Here are a few to get you started.
Ready to get insured? Enter your address or give us a call at 855-717-0022.
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