Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall Wednesday afternoon in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, and continues moving across the Gulf Coast. According to the National Hurricane Center, the federal agency responsible for tracking and forecasting tropical storms, Bertha is bringing heavy rain and a risk of localized flash flooding to the region, and beaches have closed from Florida to Mississippi. Bertha is only the second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, and it likely won’t be the last. Regardless of how this particular storm plays out, now is the time for Florida homeowners, renters, and business owners to confirm their insurance coverage is actually ready before the next one takes shape.
Key takeaways
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Standard Florida homeowners and commercial property policies do not cover flood damage. Flood insurance has to be purchased separately, and new policies typically take 30 days to go into effect.
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The National Flood Insurance Program is only authorized through September 30, 2026. If Congress doesn’t act, FEMA would have to stop issuing and renewing flood policies in the middle of hurricane season.
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Florida law gives you one year from the date of loss to file a property insurance claim, and requires your insurer to pay or deny most claims within 60 days.
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Business interruption coverage is crucial for businesses of all sizes, as that policy is what covers lost income and ongoing expenses if a storm forces a shutdown.
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Florida’s property insurance market is genuinely improving in 2026: Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s approved rates include an average 8.8% cut for homeowners multiperil policyholders, and more private carriers are entering the state.
This Storm Won’t Be the Last One This Season
Bertha is a relatively weak storm, but it’s a preview of what the rest of the season could bring. The Atlantic hurricane season runs through November, and forecasters expect more named storms before it’s over. Rather than tracking the play-by-play of any single system, the more useful step is making sure your coverage is already in place well before the next watch or warning is issued.
Flood policies typically take 30 days to activate, and wind mitigation upgrades take time to complete, so the best time to review your coverage is now, not while a storm is already in the Gulf.
For Florida Homeowners: What Your Policy Covers, and What It Doesn’t
Most standard Florida homeowners insurance policies cover wind damage from hurricanes and tropical storms. However, they usually include a separate hurricane deductible that works differently than many people expect. Rather than a flat dollar amount, the deductible is typically 2% to 5% of your home’s insured value (dwelling coverage), which can result in a significantly higher out-of-pocket cost before insurance coverage begins.
If you have a mortgage, your lender will generally require you to carry this coverage. Without a mortgage, you typically have the option to decline it, and in some high-risk coastal areas, insurers exclude it from the standard policy altogether and require a separate windstorm policy instead. If you’re not certain which situation applies to you, it’s worth confirming with your SandStone advisor rather than assuming.
What a standard homeowners policy will not cover is flooding, whether it comes from storm surge or heavy rainfall. That protection has to come from a separate flood insurance policy, either through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood carrier. If you’re in a high-risk flood zone and have a mortgage, flood insurance is legally required, but a meaningful share of Florida flood claims come from homes outside those zones every year. New flood policies generally take 30 days to take effect, so waiting until a storm is already in the Gulf is too late.
Two other things worth knowing. Under Florida law, you have one year from the date of loss to file a new or reopened property claim, and your insurer generally has to pay or deny the claim within 60 days of receiving it. And if you haven’t had a wind mitigation inspection, it’s worth getting one: qualifying upgrades like a new roof, impact windows, or reinforced roof-to-wall connections can lower your premium and may qualify for state matching-grant funding through the My Safe Florida Home program, run by the Florida Department of Financial Services.
For Florida Renters and Drivers
Renters insurance covers your personal belongings and liability, but not the building itself, that’s your landlord’s responsibility. It’s still worth confirming your policy addresses wind and water damage to your possessions the same way a homeowners policy would.
One coverage gap that catches people off guard: standard auto insurance doesn’t cover flood damage to your vehicle unless you carry comprehensive coverage. Liability and collision coverage won’t help if your car is damaged by rising water, so if your policy doesn’t include comprehensive, it’s worth adding before a storm arrives rather than after.
For Florida Business Owners: Is Your Commercial Coverage Ready?
Most small businesses in Florida carry a business owners policy, or BOP, which bundles commercial property, general liability, and business interruption coverage together. Business interruption coverage, sometimes called business income coverage, is the piece that pays for lost income and ongoing expenses like rent and payroll if a covered event forces you to temporarily close.
As with homeowners coverage, commercial property policies exclude flood damage by default. If your business is in a flood-prone area, or simply carries physical inventory or equipment, a separate commercial flood policy with a business income endorsement is worth discussing with your SandStone advisor well before a storm is in the forecast.
The Flood Insurance Deadline Every Floridian Should Know About
Here’s a detail that doesn’t get enough attention: the National Flood Insurance Program is currently authorized only through September 30, 2026, squarely in the middle of hurricane season. The program has already lapsed once in the past year, and a lapse means FEMA cannot issue new flood policies or process renewals until Congress acts again. If you don’t already have flood coverage, or your renewal is coming up this fall, it’s worth getting ahead of this deadline rather than hoping Congress resolves it in time. Reach out to an advisor at SandStone Insurance Partners for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover wind-related hurricane damage in Florida?
Most standard Florida homeowners policies cover wind damage from hurricanes and tropical storms, subject to a hurricane deductible that’s typically 2% to 5% of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat amount. If you have a mortgage, your lender will generally require this coverage. Without one, you can typically choose to decline it, and in some high-risk coastal areas, insurers exclude it entirely, requiring a separate windstorm policy instead.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?
No. Flood damage, whether from storm surge or heavy rain, is excluded from standard homeowners and commercial property policies. It requires a separate flood insurance policy.
Will my car insurance cover flood damage?
Only if you carry comprehensive coverage. Liability and collision coverage do not cover flood damage to your vehicle.
Does my business need separate flood insurance?
In most cases, yes. Standard commercial property policies exclude flood damage, so a business in a flood-prone area, or one that carries significant inventory or equipment, typically needs a separate flood policy with a business income endorsement to be fully protected.
How long do I have to file a property insurance claim in Florida?
Under Florida Statute 627.70132, you generally have one year from the date of loss to file a new or reopened property insurance claim.
Is now a good time to buy flood insurance?
Yes. New flood policies typically take 30 days to take effect, so waiting increases the risk of a coverage gap right in the middle of hurricane season.
Why Partner With SandStone
Whether you’re a homeowner watching Bertha’s forecast track or a business owner wondering if your commercial policy actually covers a potential shutdown, the time to check your coverage is before a storm is bearing down, not after.
SandStone Insurance Partners works with both personal and commercial clients across Florida to review what’s covered, close gaps like flood and business interruption, and make sure you’re not caught off guard this season. Contact your SandStone advisor today for a coverage review.
Disclaimer: This blog provides general educational information about personal & commercial P&C insurance and is not official legal, financial, or insurance advice. Coverage availability, eligibility, sublimits, exclusions, and policy features vary by state, carrier, industry, and individual underwriting. For coverage recommendations specific to your business, contact a licensed agent from SandStone.
