Homeowners Insurance Quotes in Clearwater, FL

What You Should Know About Home Insurance in Clearwater

Clearwater, incorporated as a city in Florida in 1915, is said to have received its name from the various freshwater springs in the area. From as early as the Belleview Biltmore Hotel’s construction in 1897, the area has been a popular resort destination for vacationers. The city, located on the Gulf Coast, covers 39.2 square miles, of which 25.6 is land and the remaining area is water.

For those who love marine life, Clearwater is the perfect setting. Here you will find manatees, dolphins, a variety of fish species, loggerhead sea turtles, and more. Local attractions include the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, the Sugar Sand Festival, and the Florida Botanical Gardens. Sports fans will be pleased to know the city is home to the Minor League Baseball team, the Clearwater Threshers, and the spring training location for the Philadelphia Phillies. Additional sporting events, such as Major League Baseball, National Football League, and National Hockey League games, are available a short drive away in Tampa.

While you are enjoying all the beauty this great city has to offer, do it with confidence that your home is protected by having the best homeowners insurance in Florida. No matter what neighborhood you are in — Morningside Meadows, Sunset Lake Estates, or anywhere else in Clearwater — the InsureOne agents are ready to help you find high-quality coverage at competitive rates.

How Much Does a Homeowners Insurance Policy Typically Cost in Clearwater?

Two reasons you may pay a different rate than another Clearwater resident are the difference in crime rates between zip codes and home values.

The average cost of insurance in Clearwater is lower than the national average, as shown here:

Dwelling Insurance Total	Average Annual Cost in Clearwater	Average Annual Cost Nationwide
$300K	$1,900	$2,582
$600K	$3,615	$4,140
$1 million	$5,894	$7,380

We arrived at these numbers by using the cost of dwelling coverage, a $100,000 liability and a standard $1,000 deductible.

How Do Home Insurance Deductibles Change Insurance Rates in Clearwater?

Your deductible is the amount you pay before your insurer pays their share on a claim. One way to lower your insurance rate is by choosing a higher deductible. When making this decision, consider the likelihood of damage to your property — if you live in a zip code prone to crime or hurricanes, for instance, your risk of suffering property damage will likely be higher. Also, consider whether you have available funds to cover that higher deductible if you need to file a claim.

If a windstorm leaves you with $3,000 worth of roof damage, here is what you may encounter with the following deductibles:

• If your deductible is $500, your insurer will cover the remaining $2,500 after you contribute your portion.
• If your deductible is $2,000, your insurer will pay out $1,000 for damages after you pay that $2,000.
• If your deductible is $3,000, you will need to cover all of the repair costs yourself.

Your InsureOne agent can review your specific needs and give you personalized policy options along with notable cost savings.

Is Home Insurance Tax Deductible in Clearwater?

You may have wondered if you can claim part of your insurance as a tax deduction. For many Clearwater homeowners, home insurance is not tax deductible. However, you may be able to claim it in part or in full if you fall into certain categories, such as the following:

• You use your home as a daycare facility.
• You meet with business clients in a designated portion of your home.
• You use a portion of your home as a business storage space.
• You own a home that you rent to tenants as a business.

Check with your tax professional to see if your specific situation fits the current deduction guidelines.

Does Clearwater Have the 80% Homeowners Insurance Rule?

Clearwater insurers follow the 80% rule, which is an industry standard rather than a law, to make sure you have enough coverage. Your insurer will review multiple factors to determine your home’s value, including your zip code, your home’s age, size, and construction materials.

If your Coachman Ridge home is valued at $700,000, you will need $560,000 — or 80% of $700,000 — to conform to the 80% rule. This ensures your home has sufficient coverage if disaster strikes.

Your InsureOne agent will provide you with concierge service to find you appropriate coverage and competitive rates, whether you are signing up for the first time or updating your policy after you have made property improvements.

Bundling Home and Auto Insurance in Clearwater

If you are new to the term bundling, it simply means buying more than one policy from one insurer. Bundling can save you money and help streamline your insurance shopping process.

Examining the following benefits may help you decide whether you should bundle your home and auto policy:

• You can save money (up to 25% off your bill) on both your auto coverage and home insurance.
• You have less paperwork.
• You simplify your bill-paying process by paying just one company.

Bundling applies to more than just home and auto insurance. You can bundle your home insurance with other coverage, such as motorcycle, RV, or boat insurance, or bundle policies for multiple homes.

Think of InsureOne as your one-stop shop with agents providing top-tier service to find you the best coverage to fit all your insurance needs.

How Does Home Composition Impact Insurance Rates?

Homes made using concrete, stone, and stucco reinforced with steel bars (rebar) offer an assortment of benefits, including durability and resistance to moisture damage and hurricane-force winds. However, these materials can be expensive and labor-intensive to replace.

While wood structures are generally cheaper to replace, wood is more susceptible to fire damage as well as mold and rot that may occur in Florida’s humid climate.

Insurers take all these aspects into consideration when determining your rate.

What Are the Different Types of Homeowners Coverage Offered in Clearwater?

There are eight types of standard homeowner insurance. These policies provide coverage for or exclusions for “perils” — occurrences that cause damage to your home or belongings (or both).

Here are four of those eight categories:

• HO-3: This is the most common homeowners policy, which covers your home and your belongings. This plan covers damage from 16 perils, including fire, windstorms, vandalism, and theft.
• HO-4: This policy is for renters and covers your belongings but not the structure.
• HO-6: This policy is for condo or co-op residents and includes coverage for your belongings and for walls, floors, and ceilings.
• HO-8: This coverage is for homes built more than 40 years ago, which typically cost more to rebuild than what the house is worth. This plan covers 10 perils.

Your InsureOne agent can tell you more about all the policy types, such as whether they include liability coverage, additional living expenses, medical payments to others, and any other coverage, and help you determine which one applies to your specific living situation.

What Is the Most Common Type of Home Purchased in Clearwater?

Clearwater is the 18th largest city in the Sunshine State. This coastal city has almost 50,000 homes at a median cost of close to $443,000. About 39% of these are single-family detached homes built in different decades.

Around 43% of Clearwater’s homes are large apartment complexes with a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom units. Many locals live in these apartment buildings. A large portion of residents work in computers and math, and nearly 20% work from home.

The area’s comfortable year-round temperatures and easy access to outdoor activities make this beautiful city one of the most desirable places to live.

No matter which of Clearwater’s 44 neighborhoods you call home, be sure you have the best homeowners insurance coverage — and ensure you read the fine print and have the right agent to help you avoid a home insurance claim denial.

Which Common Natural Disasters Are Covered by Home Insurance in Clearwater?

Understanding your homeowners policy is an important part of home ownership, especially before an emergency.

Most Clearwater home policies provide coverage for the following natural disasters:

• High winds from tornadoes and hurricanes are common in Clearwater, and your insurance policy likely covers damage from these windstorms.
• Hailstones can cause significant property damage to your roof and siding, which is typically covered under a standard policy.
• Fire damage is usually included as part of a standard policy.

Your agent can carefully review your policy’s exclusions with you, answer any questions, and assess how your coverage would apply if a natural disaster struck.