Super El Niño could push Florida insurance premiums higher again

What’s happening

Climate forecasters are watching a Super El Niño cycle that is expected to hit California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Washington hardest. The result is more extreme weather events (heavier storms, larger insured losses), which tends to flow directly into homeowners insurance premiums in the affected states.

Why this matters if you’re buying

Florida’s insurance market has been the headline buyer-side story for two years, and it’s not done. Practical takeaways:

• Quote insurance before you make an offer, not after. A house that looks affordable on the mortgage payment can become unaffordable when the insurance quote lands two weeks before closing.
• Older roofs are the single biggest premium driver. A roof more than 15 years old can push your premium 30-50% higher than a 5-year roof — or make you ineligible for some carriers entirely.
• The Citizens question. State-backed Citizens is often the only carrier willing to write certain Florida properties, but its rates are rising and its eligibility rules are tightening. Don’t assume Citizens will always be an option.
• Flood is separate. Standard homeowners doesn’t cover flood. If you’re anywhere in or near Special Flood Hazard Area A or V, get a flood quote too.

Related FAQs

• Citizens insurance in Florida
• Flood insurance in Florida