Are Florida Homeowners Insurance Rates Finally Coming Down, and What Does It Mean for Jacksonville and St. Johns County Buyers?

Some Florida homeowners insurance rates are coming down. On September 22, 2026, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) announced approved rate decreases for four insurers covering more than 62,000 policies, ranging from 3.2% to 10.4% at renewal. OIR also reports that the average rate change requested by insurers over the past 30 days is a 4.8% decrease, compared with a 5.2% increase five years ago. That's good news for the monthly cost of owning a home in Jacksonville, FL and St. Johns County, FL, but your own premium depends on your insurer, your home, and its location, so the only number that counts is a quote on the specific property.

I'm CC Underwood with Selling with CC, and insurance is one of the first costs buyers ask about after price. Here's what the state has actually announced as of October 9, 2026, and what I'd do with it.

What did Florida regulators just approve for homeowners insurance?

According to a September 22, 2026 OIR bulletin, Commissioner Mike Yaworsky approved the following homeowners rate decreases, effective at renewal:

• One Alliance North America Insurance Company: 10.4% decrease, 17,148 policies.
• Vyrd Insurance Company: 10.4% decrease, 26,751 policies.
• Safe Harbor Insurance Company: 4.1% decrease, 10,501 policies.
• Unique Insurance Company: 3.2% decrease, 8,266 policies.

Those four add up to more than 62,000 policies. Commissioner Yaworsky said, "I expect to see more aggressive rate cuts in the near future and going into 2027." That is his forecast, not a guarantee.

Is this a statewide trend or just a few insurers?

The OIR numbers point to a trend, though it's still early. The bulletin reports that the 30-day average requested homeowners rate change is a 4.8% decrease, compared with a 1.1% decrease one year ago and a 5.2% increase five years ago. The 180-day average request is a 0.3% decrease, compared with 0.0% a year ago and a 5.1% increase three years ago. In plain terms, requests have gone from increases to small decreases over a few years. A request isn't the same as an approved rate, and an average across the state doesn't tell you what any one household will pay.

What about Citizens Property Insurance?

Citizens is Florida's state-backed insurer of last resort. In December 2025, its board recommended a statewide average rate decrease of 2.6% for personal lines policies, with three of five policyholders seeing an average reduction of 11.5%, or $359. The proposal called for a June 1, 2026 effective date, pending OIR orders. Citizens' press release doesn't break the numbers out for Duval or St. Johns County, so don't assume those averages apply to a home you're considering. Citizens also projected its policy count would fall to 385,000 by the end of 2025, down from a peak of 1.42 million in October 2023, which suggests more homeowners are moving back to private carriers.

Does this change what a home costs to own in Jacksonville or St. Johns County?

It can, but not evenly. Insurance is only one line in the monthly cost of owning a home, next to property taxes, HOA or CDD fees, utilities, and maintenance. A premium drop helps, but a home's age, roof, distance from the coast, and flood zone still drive what an insurer charges. Flood insurance is a separate policy and isn't covered by standard homeowners insurance, so a home near the St. Johns River or the coast can carry a premium that a similar inland home doesn't.

What should buyers do about homeowners insurance before making an offer?

Here's the checklist I give my buyers:

• Get an insurance quote on the exact address before your inspection period ends, not after.
• Ask the seller for the home's roof age and any recent wind mitigation report, since those details can affect a quote.
• Ask your insurance agent about flood coverage and whether the home is in a FEMA flood zone.
• Compare quotes from more than one agent, since carriers price the same home differently.
• Treat a future rate cut as a possible bonus, not as a number to build your budget around.

What should sellers know?

If your insurance cost has been a sticking point for buyers, ask your agent to pull the current quote range, and have your roof age and any mitigation documents ready. Buyers who see a clear insurance picture early tend to make cleaner offers.

FAQ

Are homeowners insurance rates going down in Florida? Some are. On September 22, 2026, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation announced approved decreases of 3.2% to 10.4% for four insurers, and the 30-day average requested rate change is a 4.8% decrease.

Which insurers received rate decreases? One Alliance North America (10.4%), Vyrd (10.4%), Safe Harbor (4.1%), and Unique (3.2%), according to the OIR bulletin.

Will my premium in Jacksonville or St. Johns County go down? Not necessarily. Rates are set by insurer and depend on the home's age, roof, location, and flood exposure. Get a quote on your specific property.

What did Citizens Property Insurance recommend for 2026? A statewide average rate decrease of 2.6% for personal lines, with three of five policyholders seeing an average reduction of 11.5%, or $359, subject to OIR orders.

Is flood insurance included in homeowners insurance? No. Flood insurance is a separate policy, and homes in flood zones may need it.

When should a buyer get an insurance quote? Before the inspection period ends, so you know the cost of the policy before you are committed to the purchase.

CC Underwood, Selling with CC | Real Broker, LLC | Jacksonville & St. Johns County, FL | 904-304-7005 | CC@sellingwithcc.com

This is general information, not insurance advice. Talk to a licensed insurance agent about coverage and pricing for your own situation.