The beaches of Fort Myers are an attractive reason to live on the Gulf Coast of Florida, as long as your home is protected with a comprehensive homeowners insurance policy. It doesn’t take a direct hit from a hurricane to cause extensive damage to a home, especially with storms from the gulf hitting the coast more often in recent years.
Home insurance rates in Florida have increased an average of 35% the last two years due to the high number of destructive hurricanes and expensive claim losses. In addition to raising home insurance premiums, several insurers have gone insolvent or left the state in recent years, sparking a full-on home insurance crisis in Florida.
Because of the recent news events surrounding the home insurance industry in Florida, our picks for best homeowners companies in Fort Myers reflect the best options for the here and now. Insurance carriers that aren't currently selling new policies in Florida were not considered in this guide.
Compare the best cheap homeowners insurance companies in Fort Myers
Based on Policygenius' analysis of the most widely available insurance companies in the state, State Farm, Universal Property, Frontline Insurance, Citizens, and Slide Insurance are Florida's best homeowners insurance companies in 2023.
To find the best cheap homeowners insurance in Fort Myers, Policygenius rated over a dozen of the largest insurance companies in Florida across several categories, such as average policy cost, financial strength ratings with AM Best, customer and claims satisfaction scores with J.D. Power, available policy options, and more.
Company | Average monthly cost | Policygenius rating | |
$171 | 4.8 out of 5 | ||
N/A | 3.9 out of 5 | ||
Universal Property | $213 | 3.6 out of 5 | |
$61 | 3.6 out of 5 | ||
N/A | 2.5 out of 5 |
2023 Policygenius award winner
State Farm
4.8
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Offers earthquake insurance
Wind/hail deductible
Offers wildfire insurance
Why we chose it
State Farm home insurance is one of the best home insurance companies in Fort Myers thanks to its statewide availability, large selection of policy options for most home types, high customer service marks, and industry-best financial stability ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including extended replacement cost coverage
Offers large discounts when you bundle your home and auto insurance
Cons
20% more complaints filed with the NAIC than other companies of its size
No discounts for first-time homebuyers
More details
Why we chose State Farm
At a time when lots of competitors are no longer insuring homes in areas prone to wildfires and hurricanes, State Farm continues to offer its relatively affordable and highly-rated home insurance to homeowners in most parts of the country, including Florida.
And it doesn't skimp on coverage, offering flood, wildfire, and earthquake protection — one of few competitors that offers all three insurance policies to homeowners in many high-risk states.
Plus, while many competitors don't have the financial strength to pay out claims after several natural disasters in the same year, State Farm isn't one of them. It earns the highest rating possible from AM Best for financial strength and stability — only six insurance companies out of nearly 70 we reviewed hold this title.
How much does State Farm home insurance cost?
The average cost of State Farm home insurance in Fort Myers is $2,046 per year, which is around 7% higher than the city average of $1,909 per year.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm
Slide Insurance
3.9
Wind/hail deductible
Why we chose it
Slide Insurance is brand new to the insurance industry, offering coverage exclusively to Florida residents with a goal to revolutionize how insurance is underwritten and sold using technology, data, and leadership taken from Big Tech companies.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers coverage to Florida homeowners who may not have other options
Earns A (Exceptional) rating from Demotech for its financial strength and stability
Cons
Still too new to gauge customer service around claims and policy management
Website lacks detailed information about all of its coverage and discount options available
Doesn’t offer a mobile app, access to an online account, or online quotes
More details
Why we chose Slide Insurance
As other home insurance companies are leaving Florida or going out of business altogether, Slide Insurance has been purchasing renewal rights and selling new home insurance policies exclusively to Florida residents.
It purchased home insurance policies from St. John’s Insurance and UPC Insurance — two Florida insurers that went out of business in the last year. And by using technology, data, and leadership taken from a range of Big Tech companies, Slide Insurance says it is offering a new approach to insurance in a market that is in desperate need of a change.
How much does Slide home insurance cost?
We don't have access to the average cost of Slide home insurance in Fort Myers as of July 2023.
How to get a quote
Online or through a local agent
Universal Property
3.6
Wind/hail deductible
Why we chose it
Universal Property home insurance offers cheap rates and lots of coverage add-ons, including a rare private flood insurance endorsement with up to $5 million in protection.
Pros and cons
Pros
Insures homes over 70 years old and roofs up to 20 years old
Offers 10 discounts to help you save on your policy
Receives A rating with AM Best, meaning it has the financial stability to pay out claims in the wake of a disaster
Cons
Received 11 times more complaints than similar-sized insurance companies in 2022, according to the NAIC Complaint Index
Cheaper rates can be found with other companies on this best list
More details
Why we chose Universal Property
Unlike many home insurance companies in Fort Myers that shy away from covering older homes or those with roofs more than 10 years old, Universal Property doesn't.
It's willing to cover homes that are more than 70 years old. And you can get coverage for shingle roofs that are up to 20 years old and wood roofs that are up to 15 years old.
How much does Universal Property home insurance cost?
The average cost of Universal Property home insurance in Fort Myers is $2,560 per year, which is around $600 more expensive than the annual citywide average of $1,909.
How to get a quote
Online or through a local agent
Universal Property
3.6
Bundle home & auto
Wind/hail deductible
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Why we chose it
Tower Hill home insurance offers cheap rates and lots of coverage add-ons, including a rare private flood insurance endorsement with up to $5 million in protection.
Pros and cons
Pros
Insures homes over 70 years old and roofs up to 20 years old
Offers 10 discounts to help you save on your policy
Receives A rating with AM Best, meaning it has the financial stability to pay out claims in the wake of a disaster
Cons
Received 11 times more complaints than similar-sized insurance companies in 2022, according to the NAIC Complaint Index
Cheaper rates can be found with other companies on this best list
More details
Why we chose Tower Hill
Tower Hill’s private flood insurance endorsement lets you add up to $5 million in private flood coverage to your existing home insurance policy — an especially valuable add-on if you live in a coastal area of Florida at high risk of flooding. It also offers a slew of other coverage add-ons related to flooding, including protection against mold, fungus, or rot damage; debris removal; and water backup coverage.
How much does Tower Hill home insurance cost?
The average cost of Tower Hill home insurance in Fort Myers is $729 per year, which is around $1,200 cheaper than the annual citywide average of $1,909.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius
Citizens Property Insurance
2.5
Wind/hail deductible
Why we chose it
As Florida’s version of the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan, Citizens home insurance might be a good fit if you’ve struggled to qualify for coverage due to multiple past claims, living in a high-risk coastal area, or having an old roof.
Pros and cons
Pros
Provides homeowners insurance to high-risk homes that are often denied coverage by private insurers
Wind, flood, and dwelling fire insurance policies available
Sets up catastrophe response centers after natural disasters to offer in-person support to homeowners without power or means of communication
Cons
Rates are nearly 3 times higher than the national average — and the insurer proposed a 12% rate hike in June 2023
Fewer coverage options and lower limits than competitors
No online quote tool
More details
Why we chose Citizens
Citizens Insurance offers basic home and wind-only insurance coverage for homes in high-risk coastal areas of Fort Myers. If you're having a difficult time finding a company to insure your home, Citizens is a decent last-resort option.
How much does Citizens home insurance cost?
We don't have access to the average cost of Citizens home insurance in Fort Myers as of July 2023.
How to get a quote
To get a home insurance quote with Citizens, you’ll first need to prove that you were unable to find coverage with a standard home insurance company or that the coverage you did qualify for was 20% more expensive than a similar policy with Citizens. If it is, then you can get a quote from any licensed insurance agent who’s authorized to sell Citizens coverage.
Methodology & why you can trust our rates
Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
How much is homeowners insurance in Fort Myers?
The average cost of home insurance in Fort Myers is $1,909 per year, or $159 a month, for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. This is around 17% cheaper than the average annual cost of $2,288 for homeowners insurance in Florida, and about 9% higher than the national average.
Fort Myers home insurance rates by ZIP code
Home insurance rates can vary substantially depending on which ZIP code your home is located in, as homes in certain Fort Myers neighborhoods may be more prone to extreme weather damage or property crime than others.
To help you find out how much home insurance costs where you live, we calculated the average home insurance premium for Fort Myers' 10 most highly populated ZIP codes.
ZIP code | Average annual cost | Difference from state average (%) |
|---|---|---|
33905 | $1,915 | -16% |
33913 | $1,914 | -16% |
33916 | $1,914 | -16% |
33907 | $1,913 | -16% |
33901 | $1,917 | -16% |
33912 | $1,910 | -17% |
33966 | $1,911 | -16% |
33965 | $1,878 | -18% |
33912 | $1,910 | -17% |
33966 | $1,911 | -16% |
Cheapest ZIP codes for home insurance in Fort Myers
With an average home insurance rate of $1,878 per year, the 33965 ZIP code is the most affordable area for home insurance in Fort Myers.
ZIP code | Average annual cost | Difference from state average (%) |
|---|---|---|
33965 | $1,878 | -18% |
33912 | $1,910 | -17% |
33966 | $1,911 | -16% |
33907 | $1,913 | -16% |
Most expensive areas for homeowners insurance in Fort Myers
With an average annual premium of $1,917, the 33901 ZIP code is the most expensive ZIP code in Fort Myers for home insurance. If you live one of these five ZIP codes, your rates might be among the highest in the city.
ZIP code | Average annual cost | Difference from state average (%) |
|---|---|---|
33901 | $1,917 | -16% |
33905 | $1,915 | -16% |
33913 | $1,914 | -16% |
33916 | $1,914 | -16% |
Learn more >> Home insurance rates by ZIP code
Fort Myers home insurance costs by coverage amount
Along with your home's location, your homeowners insurance premiums are primarily based on how much dwelling coverage is in your policy. This is the centerpiece of your home insurance coverage, covering the cost to repair or rebuild your home after a covered disaster.
As shown in the table below, the average annual home insurance premium for a Fort Myers home with $500,000 in dwelling coverage is $3,197 — around $1,300 higher than the citywide average. With construction materials and labor costs at an all-time high, you’ll want to ensure you’ve purchased enough coverage to protect your home after a covered loss.
Dwelling coverage limit | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
$100,000 | $737 |
$200,000 | $1,318 |
$300,000 | $1,909 |
$400,000 | $2,542 |
$500,000 | $3,197 |
Fort Myers home insurance costs by deductible amount
Your home insurance deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying on each claim before insurance kicks in to help cover the cost of repairing or replacing your property. A higher deductible means lower insurance premiums, but it also means you're responsible for paying more out of pocket when you file a claim.
As shown in the table below, Fort Myers residents can save around $1,000 per year on home insurance by choosing a $2,000 deductible instead of the $500 option.
Deductible | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
$500 | $2,709 |
$1,000 | $2,091 |
$2,000 | $1,750 |
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Fort Myers
Based on our analysis, Security First, Tower Hill, and State Farm are the three cheapest home insurance companies in Fort Myers, with average premiums citywide ranging from $502 to $2,046 per year.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Security First Insurance | $604 |
$729 | |
$2,046 | |
$2,513 | |
American Integrity Insurance | $2,548 |
Universal Property | $2,560 |
$3,058 |
Cheapest home insurance in Fort Myers if you have poor credit
A bad credit score does more than just cost you a few dollars in late payment fees — it can also make your auto and home insurance rates thousands of dollars higher.
With an average annual premium of $604, Security First Insurance has the cheapest home insurance rates in Fort Myers for a homeowner with poor credit, while Chubb's average of $4,572 per year is the most expensive.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Security First Insurance | $604 |
Tower Hill | $1,153 |
Florida Peninsula Insurance | $2,513 |
American Integrity Insurance | $2,548 |
Universal Property | $2,560 |
State Farm | $3,505 |
Chubb | $4,572 |
Cheapest home insurance in Fort Myers if you have an older home
Insurance carriers consider older homes to have a higher risk of damage or loss compared to newer homes since they're constructed with older and more difficult to replace materials. Additionally, certain structural components in older homes, like the roof or plumbing systems, may not be up to code.
Looking at average quotes for a 50-year-old home, Security First is the cheapest home insurance option for Fort Myers homeowners, while American Integrity Insurance is the most expensive.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Security First Insurance | $502 |
Tower Hill | $796 |
State Farm | $2,038 |
Universal Property | $2,560 |
Florida Peninsula Insurance | $2,716 |
Chubb | $2,737 |
American Integrity Insurance | $2,756 |
Cheapest homeowners insurance in Fort Myers if you have a history of claims
Claims history is one of the biggest factors that insurance companies use when calculating your home insurance premiums. If you have multiple claims on your record, your insurer will likely view you as a risk for filing future claims and may charge you higher rates as a result.
Here's the cheapest home insurance companies in Fort Myers for a homeowner with three claims within a five-year period on their record. According to our findings, homeowners with multiple claims will likely find Security First Insurance to be their cheapest option, while Chubb insurance appears to be the most expensive.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Security First Insurance | $604 |
Tower Hill | $884 |
UPC Insurance | $1,014 |
People's Trust Insurance | $1,108 |
Narragansett Bay | $2,086 |
State Farm | $2,322 |
Florida Peninsula Insurance | $2,513 |
American Integrity Insurance | $2,548 |
Universal Property | $2,560 |
St. Johns Insurance | $2,774 |
FedNat | $2,837 |
Homeowners Choice | $3,056 |
Chubb | $3,058 |
Fort Myers home insurance coverage options for hurricanes and flooding
In addition to looking at how much each insurance company charges for different coverage levels and risks, you should also be aware of what your policy does and doesn’t cover.
When buying homeowners insurance in Fort Myers, there are two additional insurance options you may need to consider to protect against the state’s frequent hurricanes and flooding.
Windstorm insurance
Homeowners insurance generally covers the cost of repairs if your home is damaged by wind or hail. However, since Fort Myers sees frequent hurricanes, tropical storms, and tornadoes, policies often exclude coverage for wind and hail in high-risk areas.
If that’s the case, you’ll need windstorm insurance — a special type of property insurance that specifically covers your home and belongings from wind or hail damage. Windstorm insurance is sometimes available as an add-on to your homeowners insurance, though it can also be purchased as a separate wind-only policy.
Flood insurance
Most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage, so Fort Myers residents in at-risk areas will want to consider flood insurance on top of their coastal home insurance policy.
In addition to comparing home insurance quotes, Fort Myers homeowners can also compare private flood insurance rates with Policygenius, or choose a policy through a government entity like the National Flood Insurance Program.
Learn more >> Flood insurance in Florida: Coverage & costs
How to get homeowners insurance quotes in Fort Myers
Homeowners shopping for insurance in Fort Myers should compare quotes to make sure you are getting the policy you require for the best possible price. Here are some steps to follow to make sure you're finding the best coverage at the cheapest price.
Frequently asked questions
Who offers the cheapest insurance in Fort Myers?
In most circumstances, Security First Insurance offers the lowest rates. Its average yearly cost in Fort Myers is $604.
Why do pools, treehouses, and trampolines affect my insurance rate?
These so-called “attractive nuisances” increase the likelihood of injuries on your property, which lead to more liability claims.
What can I do to improve my low credit score?
If your credit score is making your insurance rates go up, consider paying off credit cards and other debt and be sure to always pay your bills on time.
How does a deductible work?
With every claim you file, you will have to pay your deductible before your insurance kicks in. If you have a $500 deductible and your claim is for $700, you will need to pay $500 out of pocket, and then your insurer will cover the remaining $200.
