Florida home insurance is getting cheaper for many owners, not more expensive. Triple-I says average premiums fell in 51 of 67 Florida counties in the first half of 2026, and regulators have received 136 rate-decrease filings. Marion County owners should compare quotes at renewal, but coverage terms matter as much as price.
For three years, insurance was the line item that broke Ocala deals. Buyers who could handle the mortgage could not handle the premium, and sellers watched contracts fall apart over a quote. The latest numbers say that pressure is easing, even after Hurricane Isaias.
What happened
On Oct. 12, Newsweek looked at whether Isaias, which made landfall near Destin as a Category 2 storm, would knock Florida's insurance market off course. The experts it interviewed said the market has stabilized. The key figures:
- Premiums are falling in most counties. Mark Friedlander of the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) said average home insurance premiums decreased in 51 of 67 Florida counties during the first half of 2026.
- More insurers are filing cuts than hikes. As of Oct. 6, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation had received 136 filings from 48 companies for rate decreases and 126 filings from 53 companies for 0% rate changes.
- Competition is back. Triple-I counts more than 20 new insurers entering Florida.
- Insured losses from Isaias look modest. Cotality estimated insured losses at $500 million to $1 billion, mostly in the Panhandle and southern Alabama, far below Milton in 2024.
- Florida is still expensive. Insurance.com puts the average Florida premium at $8,471 a year for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage, a $1,000 deductible, and a 2% hurricane deductible. Premiums rose 75% from 2021 to 2025, and Insurify still expects about a 2% increase for 2026 over 2025.
Citizens keeps shrinking
Citizens Property Insurance lists 254,413 policies in force as of Oct. 9, 2026. Friedlander told Newsweek its market share has dropped from 15% to 2%. Citizens also cut its 2026 rates: homeowners multiperil policies average an 8.8% decrease and wind-only policies average 5.5%, with every Citizens personal lines policyholder getting at least a 2% cut, according to Florida's Voice. Existing policies get the new rates when they come up for renewal.
What the data does not say
None of these sources breaks out Marion County. "51 of 67 counties" means some counties did not see a decrease, and a statewide average tells you little about one house. Your premium still depends on the roof, the home's age and construction, your deductible, and the insurer. Treat the trend as a reason to shop, not as a promise of a lower bill.
What it means for buyers
- Get real quotes during your inspection period. Ask a licensed insurance agent for quotes from more than one carrier as soon as you are under contract.
- Compare the whole policy. Two quotes with the same premium can carry very different hurricane deductibles and roof coverage. Ask whether the roof is covered at replacement cost or actual cash value.
- Insurance and rates move together in your payment. Freddie Mac's 30-year average was 7.40% on Oct. 15. With rates that high, a lower premium is one of the few levers you can pull. Run principal, interest, taxes, and insurance together in the Ocala mortgage calculator, and confirm with a licensed lender.
- Ask about flood separately. Homeowners policies do not cover flood. Newsweek cites an average NFIP flood policy in Florida of $1,421 a year. Whether you need it depends on the property and the lender; see my flood insurance deadline post for the federal program's timing.
What it means for sellers
- Insurability is a selling point again. If your roof is newer or you have wind mitigation features, have the paperwork ready. A current wind mitigation report and four-point inspection can help a buyer's agent get faster, cleaner quotes.
- Share your history, not a promise. It is fine to tell buyers what you pay and who insures you. Do not tell a buyer what they will pay. Their quote depends on their carrier and their coverage choices.
- Fewer deals should die over insurance. With more carriers writing policies, one bad quote is less likely to sink a contract. Price still comes from comparable sales. For a pricing read, start on my selling page or at sellocalahome.com.
What it means for investors
- Re-shop every rental at renewal. A renewal that rolls over without a comparison may leave money on the table.
- Re-underwrite with your actual renewal number. If a lower premium comes through, update your cash flow. Do not assume it lasts; one major storm can change the picture.
- Watch your deductible math. A lower premium from a higher hurricane deductible is a trade, not a saving. Make sure your reserves cover the deductible on every property you own.
- Compare by area. Construction age and roof type vary across the county. My Ocala ZIP code guide is a good starting point, and a CPA can tell you how insurance costs fit your tax picture.
What I'd do this week
- Homeowners: find your renewal date on your declarations page and set a reminder to get comparison quotes before it arrives.
- Citizens policyholders: check your renewal for the new rate, then ask a licensed agent whether a private carrier can offer comparable coverage.
- Buyers under contract: get at least two written quotes on the property before your inspection period ends.
- Sellers: gather your wind mitigation report, four-point inspection, and roof permit records into one file.
- Investors: list every rental's renewal date and premium, and re-run cash flow with current quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Are home insurance rates going down in Florida in 2026?
For many owners, yes. Triple-I says average home insurance premiums fell in 51 of 67 Florida counties in the first half of 2026. As of Oct. 6, regulators had received 136 filings from 48 companies for rate decreases. Your own premium can still go up or down depending on the home and the insurer.
Are insurance rates going down in Ocala and Marion County?
The sources in this post do not publish a Marion County figure, so there is no local average to quote. The statewide trend is toward more competition and more rate cuts. The only way to know your number is to get quotes on your specific home from a licensed insurance agent.
How much did Citizens cut rates in 2026?
Citizens homeowners multiperil policies average an 8.8% decrease and wind-only policies average 5.5%, with all Citizens personal lines policyholders getting at least a 2% cut. Existing policyholders see the new rate at renewal. Your declarations page shows the change for your policy.
Should I switch from Citizens to a private insurer?
That depends on the coverage, deductibles, and price you are offered, so talk it through with a licensed insurance agent. Citizens had 254,413 policies in force as of Oct. 9, 2026, and more than 20 new insurers have entered Florida, so many owners now have options to compare.
Did Hurricane Isaias raise insurance rates in Florida?
Not so far, based on the data available. Cotality estimated Isaias insured losses at $500 million to $1 billion, mostly in the Panhandle and southern Alabama. Experts quoted by Newsweek described the market as stabilizing, though more storms could test it.
When should I shop my homeowners insurance in Ocala?
Start before your renewal date, which is on your declarations page. Buyers should get quotes on the specific property early in the inspection period. Compare hurricane deductibles and roof coverage, not just premium, and confirm everything with a licensed agent.
Sources
- Newsweek: Florida's Troubled Home Insurance Market To Face Major Test (Oct 12, 2026)
- Citizens Property Insurance Corporation: News and policies in force (Oct 9, 2026)
- Florida's Voice: Citizens homeowners insurance rates to drop statewide in 2026 (Mar 4, 2026)
- Freddie Mac: Mortgage Rates Hold Steady at 7.40% (Oct 15, 2026)
General information only, not legal, tax, insurance, or lending advice, and no guarantee of any price, premium, value, or outcome. Insurance rates and availability vary by property and carrier. Consult a licensed insurance agent, a licensed lender, a real estate attorney, or a CPA for your situation.
Cristian Gonzalez, REALTOR, eXp Realty
FL License #3633800 · Ocala, Marion County, Florida · Published October 19, 2026