Citizens flood insurance requirement 2026–2027
Citizens Property Insurance requires flood insurance on personal residential policies that include wind coverage. Homes in the flood zone already need it. Outside the flood zone it has been phased in by dwelling coverage: $400,000 or more from January 1, 2026, and every such policy from January 1, 2027. Condo-unit owner policies, tenant policies and policies without wind coverage are exempt.
The phase-in
Under section 627.715, Florida Statutes, Citizens Property Insurance requires flood coverage on personal residential policies that include wind coverage (Citizens):
| Home | Flood insurance required from |
|---|---|
| In the Special Flood Hazard Area (flood zone) | Already required |
| Outside the flood zone, dwelling coverage $600,000+ | January 1, 2024 |
| Outside the flood zone, $500,000+ | January 1, 2025 |
| Outside the flood zone, $400,000+ | January 1, 2026 |
| Outside the flood zone, all remaining policies | January 1, 2027 |
Exempt: condo-unit owner policies, tenant policies and policies that exclude wind. The flood limit must equal Coverage A or the NFIP maximum of $250,000.
Citizens' page does not say directly whether a private flood policy satisfies the requirement; ask your agent or Citizens before you switch.
Lowering the cost
Flood insurance on a Southwest Florida home is expensive, so it is worth knowing what moves the premium:
- Community discount: Lee (unincorporated), Collier, Charlotte and Sarasota counties and Venice are Class 5 in FEMA's Community Rating System, 25% off in the flood zone. See flood barriers and flood insurance.
- Raised equipment: 5% NFIP discount when all machinery and equipment is raised.
- Flood vents: a discount that grows with the floor's height above the enclosure.
- Flood panels: they do not change a home's NFIP premium, but in shallow flooding they can prevent damage and a claim.
Frequently asked questions
- When do all Citizens policyholders need flood insurance?
- From January 1, 2027, every Citizens personal residential policy that includes wind coverage must have flood insurance, unless it is exempt.
- How much flood coverage does Citizens require?
- The flood limit must equal the dwelling coverage (Coverage A) or the NFIP maximum of $250,000, whichever applies.
- Who is exempt from the Citizens flood requirement?
- Condo-unit owner policies, tenant policies and policies that exclude wind coverage.
- Does flood protection lower my flood insurance?
- Some upgrades do. NFIP discounts apply to proper flood vents and raised machinery and equipment, not to temporary barriers on homes.