St. Petersburg and Pinellas County
St. Petersburg home insurance guide
Whether you own an Old Northeast bungalow, a downtown condo, or a rental in Kenwood, this guide covers the local risks to plan for and how Orange Homeowners (HO-3), Condo (HO-6), and Dwelling Fire (DP-3) policies fit St. Petersburg properties. A local independent agent can help you compare options for your home.
Know your area
Four things St. Pete homeowners should plan for
St. Petersburg sits on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf, and many neighborhoods are still recovering from the 2024 hurricanes. Here’s what to factor into your coverage.
Storm surge
In 2024, Hurricane Helene pushed record storm surge into Tampa Bay, flooding homes in low-lying neighborhoods across the city. Homeowners, Condo, and Dwelling Fire policies typically don’t cover flood, so it takes a separate flood policy.
Homes in a FEMA high-risk flood zone (zones starting with A or V) must carry flood insurance to be insured with Orange.
Hurricane wind
Two weeks after Helene, Hurricane Milton’s winds shredded the roof of Tropicana Field and toppled a construction crane downtown. Wind damage is covered under a home policy that includes wind coverage, subject to a separate hurricane deductible.
Ask your agent what your hurricane deductible would be in dollars.
Rebuilding rules
In a FEMA high-risk flood zone, if repairs or improvements cost 50% or more of a building’s market value, the home generally must be brought up to current flood standards, which can mean elevating it. Ordinance or Law coverage on your home policy, and Increased Cost of Compliance coverage on a National Flood Insurance Program policy, can help with code-related costs.
Older and recently repaired homes
Many St. Pete homes were built decades ago. For homes 30 years or older, Orange Homeowners requires a favorable 4-point inspection or a completed self-inspection. Storm repairs must be finished, with finalized permits, before a home can be insured.
Your home, your situation
Which Orange policy fits your St. Petersburg property
The right policy depends on the kind of property you own and how you use it. Your agent will confirm what your home qualifies for.
| PolicyBest fit | St. Pete tipWhat to ask | |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowners (HO-3) | A single-family home or townhouse you live in, from Old Northeast to Kenwood. Also a seasonal or second home you don’t rent out. | If your home was repaired or remodeled after the 2024 storms, have your finalized permits ready. Ordinance or Law coverage is included on Homeowners policies unless you reject it. |
| Condo (HO-6) | A condo unit downtown, along the waterfront, or anywhere in St. Petersburg, whether you live there, use it seasonally, or rent it out. | Your association’s master policy covers the building. Condo coverage helps protect your unit’s interior, your belongings, and your liability. It includes $2,000 of loss assessment coverage, which you can increase to $5,000. |
| Dwelling Fire (DP-3) | A home or building of up to four units that you rent to others, on a long-term lease or as a short-term rental, or a home you own but don’t live in full time. | Ordinance or Law coverage is optional on Dwelling Fire policies, at 10% or 25% of the dwelling limit. If you live more than 100 miles away, you’ll need a local management company or relative to look after the property. Homes rented for parties or events, and student housing, don’t qualify. |
Coverage, limits, and deductibles are subject to eligibility, underwriting guidelines, and policy terms.
Before storm season
A St. Pete homeowner’s coverage checklist
Review these with your agent when you buy and again before each storm season. Changes are much easier to make on a calm day than when a storm is on the way.
- Know your hurricane deductible in dollars, not just as a percentage
- Look up your FEMA flood zone and decide whether you need a separate flood policy
- Ask how Ordinance or Law coverage would help if your home had to be rebuilt to current code
- Keep finalized permits for any storm repairs or remodeling
- Make sure your home is insured for what it would cost to rebuild
- Know your Pinellas County evacuation zone
- Ask whether your roof or opening protection may qualify for mitigation discounts
- Make changes before a storm threatens: new policies and coverage increases can’t be bound once a hurricane or tropical storm warning is in effect for your area
If your policy includes wind coverage, the hurricane deductible may be a flat amount or a percentage of your home’s insured value. For example, a 2% hurricane deductible on a home insured for $400,000 is $8,000. This example is for illustration only.
Common questions
St. Petersburg home insurance FAQs
Does homeowners insurance cover storm surge in St. Petersburg?
No. Storm surge is considered flooding, and Homeowners, Condo, and Dwelling Fire policies typically don’t cover flood damage. Flood coverage requires a separate policy. Orange offers flood insurance through Wright Flood, under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Do I need flood insurance in St. Petersburg?
If your home is in a FEMA high-risk flood zone (a zone starting with A or V), Orange requires it to carry flood insurance. Outside those zones, your lender may not require it, but flooding can still happen, especially during heavy rain and tropical storms. Flood policies usually don’t take effect right away, so it’s best to decide before a storm is on the way.
Look up the FEMA flood zone for your address with What’s My Risk?
What is the FEMA 50% rule?
In a FEMA high-risk flood zone, if the cost to repair or improve a building is 50% or more of its market value, the building generally must be brought up to current floodplain standards, which can mean elevating it. Local building departments, including the City of St. Petersburg’s, enforce this rule. Increased Cost of Compliance coverage on a National Flood Insurance Program policy can help pay for required changes after a flood.
Can I get Orange coverage while my home is still being repaired after a storm?
Not yet. Homes with unrepaired damage, and homes undergoing major construction or remodeling in the first 90 days of the policy, aren’t eligible. Once repairs are complete, have your finalized permits ready, and your agent can help you apply.
What does Ordinance or Law coverage do?
Ordinance or Law coverage helps pay the extra cost of repairing or rebuilding to meet current building codes after a covered loss. It’s included on Orange Homeowners and Condo policies unless you reject it, and it’s optional on Dwelling Fire policies. It applies to covered losses under your home policy, not flood damage.
Does condo insurance cover special assessments?
Orange Condo (HO-6) includes $2,000 of loss assessment coverage, with a $250 deductible, for your share of an association assessment after a covered loss. You can increase it to $5,000. Loss assessment coverage applies to assessments from covered losses, not to every assessment your association may charge, such as for routine repairs, inspections, or reserves.
Can I buy home insurance in St. Petersburg when a hurricane is coming?
Usually not. Once a hurricane or tropical storm warning is in effect for your area, Orange can’t bind new policies or coverage increases, such as higher limits or lower deductibles, until the restriction is lifted. The best time to buy or change coverage is well before storm season.
How do I find an Orange agent in St. Petersburg?
Orange policies are sold through local independent agents. Find an agent near you by ZIP Code or your current location. Your agent can compare coverage options for your home and help you choose.
Compare your options with a St. Pete agent
An independent Orange agent can walk you through wind, flood, rebuilding costs, and replacement cost for your St. Pete home, condo, or rental, and help you choose the coverage that fits.
Important coverage information: This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not change or replace the terms of any policy. Coverage, limits, deductibles, discounts, and wind coverage availability are subject to eligibility, underwriting guidelines, and the terms, conditions, and exclusions of your policy. Sinkhole loss coverage is optional, is available for an additional premium, and is subject to eligibility and a separate deductible. Flood insurance is a separate policy offered through Wright Flood and is subject to National Flood Insurance Program rules, waiting periods, and eligibility requirements. Please consult your independent agent about the options available for your property.
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