Project Highlights

• Florida’s insurance market is showing signs of improvement in 2026 after several difficult years of rising rates and limited options.
• Orlando homeowners may benefit from a more competitive market, smaller increases, and in some cases lower premiums.
• Citizens insurance policyholders need to pay close attention to new flood insurance requirements now taking effect.
• Roof age still matters, but the rules are no longer as simple as they were during the height of the insurance crisis.
• Programs like My Safe Florida Home may help eligible homeowners strengthen their homes and potentially lower insurance costs.

Big Changes for Florida Insurance in 2026: What Orlando Homeowners Should Know

If you own a home in Orlando or anywhere in Florida, 2026 is shaping up to be a very different insurance year than what homeowners were dealing with just a short time ago.

Not long ago, Florida’s property insurance market was defined by carrier insolvencies, major premium spikes, and a growing dependence on Citizens Property Insurance. Now, the market is showing real signs of stabilization. Citizens’ regulators approved average statewide homeowners multiperil rate cuts of 8.8% for 2026, marking the first meaningful Citizens personal-lines decrease since 2015. At the same time, Citizens’ policy count, which peaked at 1.42 million in October 2023, fell below 400,000 by January 31, 2026, and dropped to roughly 336,000 by late February.

Why Florida’s Insurance Market Looks Different Now

The biggest shift is that Florida’s insurance market is no longer moving in only one direction. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has repeatedly said the market has been stabilizing following the legislative reforms passed in 2022 and 2023. Those reforms were aimed at reducing litigation pressure, strengthening Citizens, and creating conditions that would attract private insurers back into the state.

That stabilization is now showing up in the numbers. Since the reforms, 17 new insurers have entered Florida’s market, and OIR said in June 2025 that 27 companies had filed for rate decreases while 41 had requested no change or a 0% increase since January 2024. OIR has also said the average homeowners rate request dropped sharply compared with prior years.

Another factor is claims pressure. Florida officials say property-claim litigation filings fell 23% from 2023 to 2024, and filings in the first half of 2025 were down another 25% compared with the same period in 2024. On top of that, NOAA said the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season ended with no hurricane landfalls in the continental United States, which gave insurers a year without the kind of major U.S. landfall losses that can quickly reverse pricing trends.

What This Means for Orlando Homeowners

For homeowners in Orlando, the practical takeaway is not that insurance has suddenly become cheap. The takeaway is that the market is more competitive than it was during the worst part of the crisis.

When more insurers are entering Florida, when more carriers are filing for decreases or flat renewals, and when Citizens is shrinking instead of ballooning, homeowners have more reason to shop their policy instead of assuming last year’s renewal is the best they can do. That does not guarantee savings for every home, but it does mean the market is no longer behaving the way it did during the peak of the insurance panic.

One 2026 Rule Citizens Policyholders Need to Know

One of the most important 2026 changes involves flood insurance for Citizens customers.

Citizens says that under Florida’s phased-in flood insurance requirement, most new and renewing personal residential policies with wind coverage must carry flood insurance by January 1, 2027. The key 2026 threshold is January 1, 2026: if a Citizens-insured home has a dwelling replacement cost of $400,000 or more, flood coverage is required. That matters even for homeowners who are not in a high-risk flood zone, because the rule is tied to Citizens eligibility, not just FEMA flood-map assumptions.

Roof Age Still Matters, but the Rule Is Different Now

Roof age is still one of the biggest underwriting issues in Florida, but homeowners have more protection than they used to.

Under Florida statute, an insurer may not refuse to issue or renew a homeowners policy solely because of roof age if an authorized inspection shows the roof has at least five years of useful life remaining. That means the conversation is no longer supposed to stop at a simple age cutoff. For homeowners and buyers, the real issue is the roof’s documented condition and remaining life, not just the year it was installed.

Coverage Terms Matter Just as Much as the Premium

Another important point for 2026 is that homeowners should look beyond the headline price of the policy.

Florida law requires insurers, before issuing a homeowners policy, to offer replacement-cost coverage on the dwelling and law-and-ordinance coverage options. That makes it worth reviewing what kind of settlement basis your policy uses and whether your coverage limits still reflect what it would actually cost to rebuild. In a market where many homeowners spent the last few years focused only on getting any coverage at all, 2026 is a good time to look more closely at the quality of the coverage, not just the renewal amount.

A Florida Program That May Help Lower Costs

Homeowners should also keep an eye on the My Safe Florida Home program.

The program, established in state law and administered through the Florida Department of Financial Services, offers free wind-mitigation inspections and grants of up to $10,000 for eligible homeowners to complete approved hardening improvements. The official program says grants and inspections are currently available, and the purpose is straightforward: strengthen homes against storm damage and potentially reduce insurance costs through mitigation improvements.

What Homeowners Should Do Next

For Orlando-area homeowners, the best approach in 2026 is simple. Review your current policy. Shop it again if you have not done that recently. Check whether you are with Citizens and whether the new flood requirement affects you. Know the real condition of your roof before renewal season. And make sure the policy you are carrying still matches the cost to rebuild your home today.

Florida’s insurance market is still expensive, and it is still more volatile than homeowners would like. But the 2026 story is clearly different from the story people were hearing two years ago. The market is showing real signs of improvement, and for many homeowners, that means this is the right time to stop assuming nothing can be done and start reviewing coverage more carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions: Florida Insurance 2026

Are Florida insurance rates going down in 2026?

Some homeowners are seeing lower rates or smaller increases in 2026, especially compared with the sharp jumps of the past few years. The market is becoming more competitive, but savings will still vary by property and carrier.

What is changing with Citizens insurance in 2026?

One of the biggest changes is the phased-in flood insurance requirement for certain Citizens policyholders, including many homes with higher replacement values.

Can you still get insurance with an older roof in Florida?

In many cases, yes. Roof age still matters, but insurers are also required to consider whether the roof has useful life remaining rather than relying only on age.

Should Orlando homeowners shop for insurance again in 2026?

Yes. With more insurers active in Florida and market conditions changing, 2026 is a strong time to compare quotes and review coverage.

What is the My Safe Florida Home program?

It is a Florida program that offers eligible homeowners inspections and grants for certain home-hardening improvements that may help reduce storm risk and insurance costs.

Why Choose Jared Jones?

As a top real estate agent with nearly 4,000 homes sold and over 20 years of experience in the Florida real estate market, I have the expertise needed to help you navigate today’s evolving landscape. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, my deep understanding of market trends and personalized approach will provide you with the insights and strategies required for success.

Best Realtor in Orlando- Reach Out Today!

If you’re ready to make a move in Florida’s real estate market, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact Jared Jones at 407-706-5000 (call or text) or email info@jaredjones.com for professional guidance and personalized service that will help you achieve your real estate goals.

      
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   Stephanie S 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The team possesses extensive knowledge of the Orlando real estate market, which proved invaluable in helping us select the ideal home. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking professional assistance.
  
 
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   Gurj D 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had such a great experience working with Connor and would absolutely recommend him. As we were buying a house in Florida while still living in Utah, we relied on Connor for so much throughout the process. He was always incredibly responsive and went out of his way to make things easier for us. When we couldn’t view houses ourselves, he would visit them and send us detailed video walkthroughs, which was a huge help when trying to make decisions from another state. He handled communication with the agents, put together our offers, arranged the inspection and, once we had the inspection results, gave us great advice on how to negotiate so we could get the best possible deal. What really stood out was how willing he was to help with things that went beyond simply buying the house. Because we were in Utah, Connor offered to go back to the property whenever something needed checking, helped arrange appointments such as getting an electrician out, and even offered to continue checking on the house and things like the lawn for us after closing until we’re able to be there. Throughout the whole process Connor was friendly, attentive, patient and extremely easy to work with. Buying a house from across the country could have been incredibly stressful, but having someone local who was so responsive and willing to help made the whole experience much easier. Thank you for everything, Connor! We couldn’t be happier with our new home and really appreciate everything you did for us.
  
 
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   Jonathan T 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jared Jones went above and beyond in every aspect of our home-buying experience. From the very beginning to closing, Jared was there for us every step of the way. Buying a new home can be overwhelming, with countless details, questions, decisions, and unexpected bumps along the road, but Jared made the entire process feel manageable because we always knew he had our back. What really stood out to us was how involved and proactive he was. He didn't just show up for the big moments — he was there throughout the entire process, staying on top of details, answering our questions, advocating for us, and making sure we understood what was happening. Whenever something came up, Jared was quick to jump in and help find a solution. We genuinely felt like he was looking out for our best interests from start to finish. He was incredibly responsive, knowledgeable, patient, and professional, but what we appreciated most was that he truly cared. We never felt like we were just another transaction or another set of clients. Jared treated the purchase of our home as if it were his own, and that made a huge difference. We honestly cannot say enough good things about Jared. He exceeded our expectations in every way and made what could have been a stressful experience so much easier. If you're looking for a realtor who will truly go to bat for you, be there when you need him, and genuinely care about getting you into the right home, we couldn't recommend Jared more highly. Five stars doesn't really feel like enough. Thank you, Jared, for everything you did for us!
  
 
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   Geoffrey Z 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jared Jones is an absolute main stay in the Orlando Real Estate world. I've now had the pleasure of working with him in Orlando as well as Las Vegas years ago, and while he shifted coasts, his skills, care, and diligence in this business have remained sharp and calculated. Jared knows his stuff.  I would question whether anyone knew Orland Real Estate better than Jared and his team.  Whether I'm working with him directly, or one of his hand picked, expertly trained team members, I know I'm getting the same level of sill and dedication to meet our very demanding needs. Thank you Jared, and your team, for being our absolute Go-To in Orlando Real Estate!
  
 
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   Steven M 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ When we found out we were moving across the country to the Orlando area, we started watching Jared Jones’ Orlando housing market videos on YouTube. His videos provided a ton of great information about the different communities, neighborhoods, and the Orlando housing market and really helped us get familiar with the area before making the move. As good as Jared’s videos are, his team is even better in person! We had the pleasure of working with Leonard O’Connor, and he was awesome from the very beginning. Communication was excellent throughout the entire process. Leonard took the time to show us several existing homes and really helped us narrow down exactly what we were looking for. Once we zeroed in on the right property, Leonard was there every step of the way. He helped us through the negotiations and, because we were still living across the country, went above and beyond to help with measurements and other things we needed taken care of before we could arrive in Orlando. Having someone local we could trust made a huge difference and took a lot of stress out of buying a home from thousands of miles away. The entire process went incredibly smoothly, and closing was a breeze. We couldn’t be happier with our experience. If you’re moving to the Orlando area—especially if you’re relocating from out of state—I highly recommend Jared Jones, Leonard O’Connor, and the eXp Realty team. Great communication, great service, and people who genuinely work hard for their clients. Five stars all the way!
  
 
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   Peter M 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jared and his team helped me and my family in purchasing a home in Orlando and I would highly recommend them to anyone. They are extremely knowledgeable about the greater Orlando area which was important to me moving from New Jersey. They kept us informed every step of the way and did a phenomenal job when it came time to present an offer and close the deal. This team is top notch!
  
 
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   Dyan D 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Leonard O’Connor, with Jared Jones Realty team, did a fantastic job helping us find our new home in Clermont, Florida. He was very accommodating, often squeezing last minute home viewing into his schedule and doing virtual walkthroughs with us from Michigan. His communication throughout the process was exemplary and his vast experience shown through in his advice and negotiating skills. Leonard and the whole team at Jared Jones Realty worked together seamlessly to assist us every step of the way through the home buying process. We couldn’t be happier!
  
 
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   Dan H 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Heidi was incredibly helpful and kind during the entire process. She negotiated effectively for us and was always reachable whenever we had a question and now we live in our dream home!
  
 
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   Paul H 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Selling a home from overseas could have been stressful, but Jared and his team made the whole process feel incredibly straightforward. From the very beginning we felt we were in safe hands. Jared was always approachable, responsive and happy to answer any questions we had. His communication was excellent throughout, keeping us updated every step of the way, and his advice was always honest and reassuring. The professional photography and video marketing were first class and really showed our Davenport home at its very best. What impressed us most was how much Jared genuinely cared about achieving the best possible outcome for us. Even when unexpected issues arose during the sale, he remained calm, proactive and worked hard to keep everything moving towards a successful closing. We couldn’t have asked for a better Realtor and would wholeheartedly recommend Jared Jones and his team to anyone buying or selling a home in the Davenport and Central Florida area. Thank you, Jared, for all your hard work, professionalism and support—it has been a pleasure working with you.
  
 
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   David R 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I purchased a home in Kissimmee, Florida and it was by far the best home buying experience we have ever had. This is our 7th home we have purchased. Stephany Cornelius was our Realtor from Jared Jones Real Estate Team and we couldn't have been more pleased. She made the process so easy, less stressful and guided us through every aspect including a very quick closing. I highly recommend Stephany if you're trying to navigate the home buying experience here in Florida.
  
 
  
  
 
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