Florida has so much to offer, and many of our clients have secondary homes here. Rather that’s a beach house where your family takes the kids for the summer or an escape south during the winter, we’re happy to help.
We know your insurance needs can look a little different from those who live here year-round, and it’s important to make sure your insurance company knows how the property is actually being used.
What Is a Seasonal Home?
A seasonal home is a property that you own and occupy for only part of the year. For many snowbirds, Florida is their winter home while their primary residence remains in another state.
This can include:
- Single-family homes
- Condos
- Manufactured and mobile homes
- Vacation homes
- Second homes
- Investment properties used personally for part of the year
The important distinction is how the property is occupied and used, not simply where your primary residence is located.
Does a Snowbird Need Different Home Insurance?
Possibly. Insurance policies are written around the characteristics and use of the property, and a home that sits unoccupied for several months can present different considerations than a primary residence occupied year-round.
When arranging insurance for a seasonal Florida home, your agent may need to know things such as:
- How many months each year you occupy the property
- When the home is typically vacant
- Whether anyone else stays there while you’re away
- Whether you rent the property
- Whether the property is a home, condo, or mobile home
- Whether someone checks on the property while you’re away
Don’t assume that the policy covering your primary residence up north automatically tells you what coverage is appropriate for your Florida property.
What Happens to My Florida Home When I’m Away?
One of the biggest considerations for snowbirds is what happens to the property during the months you’re not there.
Before leaving Florida, homeowners should think about basic property-management issues such as:
Water
Some homeowners choose to shut off the property’s water supply while they’re away. Others have someone periodically check the property. The appropriate approach can depend on the property and its systems.
Property Checks
Having someone periodically check on a seasonal home can help identify problems while you’re away. This can be particularly important after severe weather.
Security
Make sure doors, windows, alarms, cameras, and other security measures are properly maintained before leaving the property.
Storm Preparation
Florida weather can change quickly, particularly during hurricane season. Snowbirds who leave their Florida property for the summer should have a plan for securing the home and responding to severe weather while they’re away.
Your insurance agent can also explain any property-maintenance or occupancy requirements that apply to your particular policy.
What If Friends or Family Stay at the Property?
Many snowbirds have family or friends use their Florida home while they’re back up north.
That’s different from simply leaving the property unoccupied, and it’s important to tell your insurance agent how the property is actually being used.
Occasional guests, family use, long-term tenants, and short-term rentals can all represent different situations from an insurance perspective.
If you’re allowing other people to use the home while you’re away, let your agent know before making that arrangement.
What If I Rent My Florida Home?
Some snowbirds rent their Florida property for part of the year.
If you rent your home, particularly through Airbnb, VRBO, or another short-term rental platform, don’t assume your regular homeowners insurance automatically covers that use.
Rental arrangements can change the insurance considerations for a property. Talk with your agent before renting the home so you can determine what coverage is appropriate.
For more information, see our guide to Short-Term Rental Insurance in Florida.
What About Snowbird Mobile Homes?
Seasonal living isn’t limited to traditional houses. Florida has a large number of manufactured and mobile homes used as winter residences.
The same basic principle applies: tell your insurance agent how and when the property is occupied.
A mobile home that is occupied during the winter and left vacant during the summer may have different insurance considerations than one occupied year-round.
If your Florida property is a mobile or manufactured home, make sure you’re discussing it with an agent who understands the insurance options available for that type of property.
Don’t Forget Your Personal Property
Snowbirds often keep belongings at their Florida home rather than transporting everything between states twice a year.
Furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, tools, and other belongings may remain at the seasonal property year-round.
It’s worth considering what property you keep in Florida and whether your insurance provides the coverage you expect for those belongings.
A Florida Home Is Still a Florida Home
Even if Florida is only your winter destination, your property still needs to be insured based on its location, construction, occupancy, and intended use.
For snowbirds, the most important thing is to have an honest conversation with your insurance agent about how you actually use the property.
That means telling your agent whether you:
- Live there seasonally
- Leave it vacant for extended periods
- Have someone check on it
- Allow family or friends to stay
- Rent it to tenants
- Use it as a short-term rental
- Own a mobile or manufactured home
Those details can help your agent identify the appropriate insurance options for your situation.
And Don’t Forget Flood Insurance
Got a home in Florida? As we like to say: you need flood insurance.
Standard homeowners insurance generally does not cover flood damage, and flooding isn’t limited to homes directly on the coast. Heavy rain, rising water, storms, and drainage issues can all create flood risk.
The good news is that Florida flood insurance can often be an affordable addition to your overall insurance protection. It’s a small cost for peace of mind.
Whether your Florida home is your primary residence, a seasonal home, or a mobile home, ask us about flood insurance before you need it.
Insurance for Florida Snowbirds
At Smith & Thomas Insurance, we’ve helped Florida homeowners and seasonal residents insure their properties for decades.
If you spend your winters in Florida, we’re happy to help you review your homeowners, mobile home, condo, or other property insurance and make sure your agent understands how you use the property.
Have a seasonal home in Florida? Contact Smith & Thomas Insurance to discuss your coverage.