You Prepared for Hurricanes. But What About Hail?
Florida homeowners are some of the most hurricane prepared people in the country. Storm shutters, generator backup plans, flood insurance riders. We take it seriously because we have to.
But new data from Cotality’s 2026 Property Risk Report reveals a growing threat that most Florida homeowners are not thinking about: hail.
The Numbers Are Striking
More than 43.5 million U.S. properties are currently at moderate to extreme hail risk, representing $17.84 trillion in total reconstruction value. Extreme hail events are now projected to cause up to $58 billion in insured losses, a figure on par with a Category 4 hurricane.
Let that sink in. A hailstorm, not a hurricane, can cause damage comparable to one of the most destructive types of storms on the planet.
Why Florida Homeowners Should Pay Attention
Florida may not be the first state you think of when it comes to hail, but Central and North Florida, including the Volusia County area, sees more hail activity than most residents realize. The state’s volatile afternoon thunderstorm pattern creates the exact atmospheric conditions that produce damaging hail, sometimes in storms that move through too quickly to trigger the usual weather warnings.
The damage is real. Hail can:
- Crack or shatter roof tiles and shingles
- Dent and damage gutters and downspouts
- Break skylights and impact resistant windows
- Damage HVAC units and solar panels
- Cause siding damage that allows water intrusion over time
Some of this damage is immediately visible. Much of it is not, and the hidden damage is often what causes the biggest problems down the road when it shows up as a roof leak during the next rainy season.
What to Check on Your Current Policy
Insurance policies vary significantly in how they handle hail claims. Here are the key questions to ask your insurance provider:
- Is hail damage covered under my standard policy or is it a separate rider? Some policies treat hail as a named peril that requires specific coverage.
- What is my deductible for weather related events? Many Florida policies now carry separate deductibles for wind and hail events, which can be significantly higher than your standard deductible.
- Does my policy cover replacement cost or actual cash value? Replacement cost pays to fix or replace damaged items at current prices. Actual cash value factors in depreciation, which can leave you significantly underinsured on an older roof.
- When was my roof last inspected? Insurers are increasingly strict about roof age and condition. A roof over 15 years old may face coverage limitations or higher premiums.
The Real Estate Connection
If you are buying or selling a home in Volusia County, hail risk and insurance coverage are becoming part of the due diligence conversation in ways they were not just a few years ago.
For buyers: ask about the age and condition of the roof, review what the current insurance policy covers, and factor potential insurance costs into your total ownership budget. In Florida’s current insurance environment, coverage costs can vary dramatically from one property to the next.
For sellers: a recent roof inspection and documentation of the roof’s condition can be a genuine selling point. Buyers and their agents are scrutinizing insurance costs closely, and a home with a clean roof history is easier to insure and easier to sell.
Protection Starts with Knowledge
You cannot control the weather. You can control how prepared you are for it. Reviewing your homeowners insurance coverage annually is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your investment.
If you have questions about what buyers and sellers in Volusia County are thinking about when it comes to property condition and insurance, The Hoover Home Team is always happy to share what we are seeing in the market.
Looking to buy or sell in Volusia County? Reach out to The Hoover Home Team. We will help you navigate every part of the process, including the details most people overlook.
