Home, Flood & Boat Insurance in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Best One Insurance is an independent insurance agency based in Pembroke Pines. We help Fort Lauderdale homeowners, condo owners, renters and boat owners compare coverage from several insurance companies, by phone and online. The City describes itself as low, flat and surrounded by water, and in April 2023 more than 25 inches of rain fell at the airport in under 24 hours, so flood risk and the age of the buildings drive most quotes. Call (954) 944-3928 or get a free quote.
Fort Lauderdale at a glance for insurance
| County | Broward |
|---|---|
| Size | 188,677 residents in the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimate, on 34.59 square miles of land and about 1.7 of water (Census Bureau city estimates; 2020 Census Gazetteer) |
| Age and type of housing | Median year built 1973: 24% of housing units were built before 1960, 20% in the 1960s and 21% in the 1970s, while 13% date from 2010 or later. 38% of units are in buildings with 20 or more units, 46% of occupied homes are rented and 34% of units are single-family detached (American Community Survey 2020-2024, via Census Reporter) |
| Building-code wind zone | High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, which the Florida Building Code defines as Broward and Miami-Dade counties (2023 Florida Building Code, Chapter 2) |
| Flood maps and discount | The updated FEMA maps for Broward County took effect July 31, 2024 (City of Pembroke Pines). Fort Lauderdale is a Community Rating System Class 7 community: 15% off NFIP premiums (FEMA CRS list, October 1, 2026) |
| Water on every side | The City says it sits in a low, flat area surrounded by water, including the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Middle River, the C-13 East and C-12 canals and the New River Canal, and that a majority of residents live in or close to a Special Flood Hazard Area (City of Fort Lauderdale) |
| King tides | The City says that because of its low elevation and extensive waterways it is highly vulnerable to king tides and sea-level rise, and that high groundwater after rain raises the odds of localized flooding (City of Fort Lauderdale) |
| April 12-13, 2023 flood | More than 25 inches of rain fell at the Fort Lauderdale airport in under 24 hours, a rainfall the National Weather Service called a 1,000-year event; the previous one-day record was 14.59 inches in 1979 (NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information). The NWS called it by far the most significant flood event of 2023 in South Florida, with at least $28 million in damage and entire neighborhoods displaced for as much as a week (NWS Miami 2023 summary) |
| Elevation certificates | The City requires them for all new construction, substantial improvements and additions, and keeps a copy on file; an online search shows whether one exists for a property (City of Fort Lauderdale) |
| Hurricane history | Wilma (2005): the National Weather Service lists a 99 mph gust at Fort Lauderdale as the eye covered most of Broward County (NWS Miami). The City reports power outages and flooding from Irma in September 2017 (City of Fort Lauderdale) |
Home insurance in Fort Lauderdale: older homes and waterfront lots
With a median build year of 1973, much of Fort Lauderdale's housing predates modern wind and flood rules. These are the questions that decide the options when we quote a home here:
- The roof and what proves its age. Florida law says an insurer may not refuse to write or renew a homeowner's policy solely because of the age of a roof under 15 years old, and an inspection showing five or more years of useful life protects an older roof the same way (s. 627.7011(5), Fla. Stat.). The permit and invoice for the last full replacement are the proof.
- Systems from the 1950s to the 1970s. Insurers often ask for a 4-point inspection (roof, electrical, plumbing, air conditioning) on homes this age. It is each company's rule, not a state law, and what the inspection finds can decide which companies quote.
- Opening protection and wind mitigation. Impact windows and doors, shutters and roof attachment that were added later can be documented on the state's wind-mitigation form (OIR-B1-1802, new version from April 1, 2026), which is valid for up to five years if nothing material changes (Florida OIR).
- Waterfront extras. Seawalls, docks, boat lifts and pool equipment are treated differently from the house by many policies. Send us your declarations page and we will tell you what yours says before a storm does.
Condos and rentals
About 38% of Fort Lauderdale's units are in buildings with 20 or more units, and 46% of occupied homes are rented. Both facts shape what you need:
- Condo owners. Your unit-owner (HO-6) policy covers the interior, belongings, liability and loss assessment, and the association's master policy covers what its documents assign to it. Condominium buildings of three or more habitable stories need a milestone inspection by December 31 of the year they reach 30 years (25 where the local government requires it), and repairs can reach owners as assessments (s. 553.899, Fla. Stat.). Send us the association's insurance certificate and we will check the gaps. Condo insurance
- Renters. The landlord's policy covers the building, not your belongings or your liability. Renters insurance
- Landlords and short-term rentals. An owner who rents out a house or unit needs a landlord policy, and a place rented by the night needs a different policy type. Landlord insurance | Short-term rental insurance
Flood insurance in Fort Lauderdale
Homeowners and condo policies exclude flood. Here, flood comes three ways:
- Rain. On April 12-13, 2023, more than 25 inches fell at the airport in under a day. Flooding of that kind is not limited to mapped high-risk zones, and the National Weather Service noted displaced neighborhoods for as much as a week.
- Tides. The City warns that king tides, sea-level rise and high groundwater make low-lying areas more likely to flood, even on days without a storm.
- Storm surge and canals. The City names the Atlantic, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Middle River and the C-13 East, C-12 and New River canals as waterways that can cause flooding in a hurricane, a rainstorm or at high tide.
Look up your address on Broward County's flood map or FEMA's Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov); the City's elevation-certificate search shows whether a certificate is on file. Class 7 means 15% off NFIP premiums, and FEMA can leave a policy out of the discount when a structure does not meet local floodplain rules. NFIP coverage goes up to $250,000 for a home's structure and $100,000 for contents and usually starts after a 30-day wait, which means it cannot be bought once the water is rising (FloodSmart). Private flood policies can offer higher limits, and we compare both. Flood insurance in Florida
Boats and the waterways
The City says its water bodies are mainly navigable waterways. A homeowners policy usually gives a boat little or no coverage, so a separate boat policy covers the vessel and your liability on the water. Marine policies often set conditions for hurricane season, such as where the boat is kept or a storm plan, so ask before the season starts. Boat insurance
Hurricanes, wind and deductibles
Most Florida home policies carry a separate hurricane deductible: a percentage of the dwelling limit, chosen from the options your insurer must offer ($500, 2%, 5% or 10%, with conditions that depend on the dwelling limit), as set out in s. 627.701, Fla. Stat. Illustration: on a $400,000 dwelling limit, 2% is $8,000 and 5% is $20,000. A higher percentage lowers the premium and raises what you pay after a storm, so we show you both numbers before you choose.
Auto and business
- Auto: Florida requires $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection and $10,000 of Property Damage Liability (Florida DHSMV). We compare several auto insurers and go through the coverages above that minimum. Auto insurance
- Business: general liability, property, workers' compensation and commercial auto for restaurants, shops, contractors and offices. Business insurance
Working with Best One for Fort Lauderdale insurance
- Independent since 2000. We are an agency, not an insurance company, and we compare options from several companies.
- Licensed. Florida DFS agency licenses L035127 and L087202.
- By phone and online, from our one office on Pines Blvd in Pembroke Pines.
- Read what clients say about us on Google: client reviews.
Visit or call
Best One Insurance, Inc.
18503 Pines Blvd, Suite 206, Pembroke Pines, FL 33029 | (954) 944-3928 | info@bestoneins.com
Our Florida DFS agency licenses are L035127 and L087202; you can check them on the DFS licensee search. Please call before you visit.
Have ready: your declarations page; the roof year and permit; any 4-point or wind-mitigation report; for a waterfront home, details of the seawall, dock or boat lift; for a condo, the association's insurance certificate; for a boat, its make, year, length and where it is kept; and your flood zone letter or elevation certificate.
Fort Lauderdale insurance questions
Is my Fort Lauderdale home in a flood zone after the 2024 maps?
Possibly. The City says a majority of its residents live in or close to a Special Flood Hazard Area, and the updated Broward maps took effect July 31, 2024. Look up your address on Broward County's flood map or FEMA's Map Service Center, or ask us to check it with you. Even outside the mapped zones, rain and tides can flood a street or a yard.
Does my homeowners policy cover a seawall or a dock?
It depends on the company and the policy. Many policies limit or exclude seawalls, docks and boat lifts, or treat them differently from the house. Send us your declarations page and we will tell you what yours says.
Why can't I buy flood insurance when a storm is coming?
A new NFIP policy usually starts after a 30-day wait, so it usually will not cover a flood that begins before then. Some private policies have their own waiting periods. Buying before the season starts is the safest plan.
I own a condo in an older building. What should I ask the association?
Ask for the insurance certificate, the latest milestone inspection and reserve-study summaries, and any planned assessments. Then send us the certificate and your policy so we can check your loss assessment limit and the deductibles.
I rent a house near the water. Do I need renters insurance?
Yes, for your belongings and your liability. Renters can also buy flood coverage for their belongings, which the landlord's policy does not provide.
Nearby: Hollywood | Pembroke Pines | Plantation | Davie | All areas we serve
Florida homeowner guides: Wind mitigation | 4-point inspection | Roof age | Hurricane deductibles | Citizens | Flood insurance | Zone X flood insurance | Non-renewal | Water damage | Buying a home | All guides
Coverage, discounts and eligibility vary by insurance company and policy. This page is general information, not an insurance contract; your policy documents control. Best One Insurance is an independent insurance agency, not an insurance company. Facts about Fort Lauderdale come from the public sources linked on this page, checked October 2026.
