Fort Myers Insurance Agency
Home, Auto, Flood & Business Insurance in Lee County
Post-Hurricane Ian coverage experts protecting Southwest Florida since 1994
Fort Myers Insurance After Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian (September 2022) devastated Southwest Florida. Here's what Fort Myers homeowners and businesses need to know about insurance today.
Hurricane Ian's Destruction (2022)
Hurricane Ian made landfall near Fort Myers Beach as a Category 4+ storm with 150 mph winds. Storm surge reached 12-15 feet. Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, and Cape Coral were devastated. Over $112 BILLION in damage. Thousands of homes destroyed. The insurance industry paid out tens of billions in claims — and the market changed forever.
Insurance Market Crisis
After Ian, major carriers (State Farm new business, Farmers, AAA) stopped writing homeowners insurance in Southwest Florida or severely restricted coverage. Many Fort Myers homeowners were non-renewed and forced into Citizens Property Insurance. Premiums DOUBLED or TRIPLED for those who kept coverage.
Rebuilding Requirements
Homes destroyed by Ian must be rebuilt to current building codes — higher elevation, hurricane-resistant construction, impact windows. Insurance companies now require detailed inspections, wind mitigation reports, and elevation certificates. Older homes that survived Ian face coverage challenges if they don't meet modern standards.
Storm Surge & Flood Risk
Fort Myers sits on the Caloosahatchee River and Gulf Coast. Storm surge from hurricanes can push 10-18 feet of water inland. Flood zones cover huge areas of Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, and Sanibel. NFIP flood insurance is mandatory for mortgages in high-risk zones — and essential for everyone else.
Hurricane Deductibles & Costs
Fort Myers homeowners face 5-10% hurricane deductibles (vs 2-5% pre-Ian). On a $400,000 home, you're paying $20,000-$40,000 out-of-pocket before insurance pays. Annual premiums range from $4,000-$12,000+ depending on location, elevation, and construction.
Cape Coral & Sanibel Challenges
Cape Coral's canal properties and low elevation create unique flood exposure. Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach face extreme hurricane and flood risk. Insurance for barrier island properties is VERY expensive ($8,000-$20,000/year) and hard to get. Many properties can only be insured through Citizens or surplus lines carriers.
Why Fort Myers Residents Choose Greene & Associates
Post-Ian Rebuilding Expertise
We understand the Fort Myers insurance market after Hurricane Ian — coverage challenges, rebuilding requirements, and how to navigate Citizens Property Insurance.
Independent Agency Advantage
After Hurricane Ian, many carriers left Southwest Florida. We represent 20+ carriers to find coverage when others can't.
Fast Service & Local Knowledge
Quick quotes, same-day certificates, and deep knowledge of Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel, and Fort Myers Beach insurance needs.
Personal Insurance for Fort Myers Homeowners
Protecting your Southwest Florida home requires coverage built for extreme hurricane and flood risk.
Homeowners Insurance
Fort Myers homeowners insurance costs $4,000-$12,000/year post-Hurricane Ian — double or triple what it was before the storm. Coastal properties (Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva) pay the highest rates. Hurricane deductibles of 5-10% mean massive out-of-pocket costs.
Coverage challenges: Many Fort Myers homeowners were non-renewed after Ian. We represent 20+ carriers and specialize in hard-to-place properties — older homes, coastal locations, and properties that need Citizens Property Insurance.
Rebuilding coverage: If your home was damaged by Ian, make sure your policy includes proper replacement cost coverage and building code upgrades. Underinsuring your home is financial suicide.
Flood Insurance
Hurricane Ian proved flood insurance is NON-NEGOTIABLE in Fort Myers. Storm surge reached 12-15 feet. Homes miles inland flooded. If you have a mortgage and live in FEMA Zone A or V, flood insurance is required. Even if you're not required, GET IT. Ian wiped out thousands of uninsured homeowners.
NFIP vs private flood: NFIP caps at $250,000 dwelling coverage. Private flood insurance offers higher limits (up to $2-5 million) and is often cheaper. We quote both.
Cost: Fort Myers flood insurance costs $1,500-$8,000/year depending on zone, elevation, and proximity to water. High-risk coastal zones (V, VE) are the most expensive.
Auto Insurance
Fort Myers auto insurance costs $2,200-$3,500/year on average. I-75, US-41 (Tamiami Trail), and Summerlin Road traffic create accident risks. Tourist season and snowbird traffic increase collision rates.
Hurricane damage coverage: Comprehensive coverage protects your car from hurricane wind, hail, and flood damage. If you park in a flood zone, this is essential.
Uninsured motorist coverage: Southwest Florida has high uninsured driver rates. UM coverage protects you if an uninsured driver causes an accident.
Umbrella Insurance
Fort Myers' high property values and waterfront homes mean you need more liability protection. Umbrella insurance adds $1-5 million in coverage for $200-$500/year. One lawsuit and your life savings are gone. Umbrella insurance is cheap protection.
Business Insurance for Fort Myers Companies
From downtown restaurants to Cape Coral contractors, we protect Southwest Florida businesses rebuilding after Hurricane Ian.
General Liability
Protects Fort Myers businesses from customer injuries, property damage claims, and lawsuits. Required by most commercial leases. Starting at $500-$1,500/year.
Workers Compensation
Required in Florida if you have employees. Fort Myers contractors rebuilding after Ian must carry workers comp. We find competitive rates.
Commercial Property
Protects your building, equipment, and inventory from fire, wind, theft. Fort Myers businesses need hurricane AND flood coverage.
Business Owners Policy (BOP)
Combines general liability, commercial property, and business interruption. Ideal for Fort Myers retail, offices, restaurants.
Commercial Auto
Fort Myers businesses with company vehicles need commercial auto insurance. Covers vehicle damage, driver injuries, and liability.
Cyber Liability
Fort Myers businesses that collect customer payment info need cyber insurance. Covers data breaches and ransomware. Starting at $500-$2,000/year.
Insurance by Industry in Fort Myers
We specialize in insurance for Southwest Florida's key industries.
Fort Myers & Lee County Areas We Serve
Greene & Associates Insurance serves homeowners and businesses across Southwest Florida.
Downtown Fort Myers
River District
Cape Coral
Canal city
Fort Myers Beach
Estero Island
Sanibel Island
Barrier island
Captiva Island
North of Sanibel
Estero
South Lee County
Bonita Springs
Gulf access
Lehigh Acres
Inland Lee County
Carriers We Represent in Fort Myers
Access to 20+ carriers means we can find coverage in Fort Myers' tough post-Ian market.
Trusted Carriers We Represent
Fort Myers Insurance FAQ
Why did my Fort Myers homeowners insurance rate go up so much after Hurricane Ian?
Hurricane Ian caused $112+ billion in damage. Insurance companies paid out MASSIVE claims and many went insolvent. Surviving carriers raised rates dramatically to remain profitable. Fort Myers homeowners saw premiums double or triple. Hurricane deductibles increased from 2-5% to 5-10%. This is the new normal.
Can I still get homeowners insurance in Fort Myers after Hurricane Ian?
Yes, but it's harder and more expensive. Many carriers left Southwest Florida. We represent 20+ carriers and specialize in hard-to-place properties. If private carriers won't write you, we can help you get coverage through Citizens Property Insurance or surplus lines carriers.
Do I need flood insurance in Fort Myers?
ABSOLUTELY. Hurricane Ian's 12-15 foot storm surge destroyed thousands of homes. Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, and Sanibel face extreme flood risk. If you have a mortgage and live in a high-risk zone, flood insurance is required. Even if you're not required, you'd be insane not to have it after what Ian did.
Get a Fort Myers Insurance Quote Today
Fort Myers insurance is expensive and hard to get after Hurricane Ian. Let us navigate the market for you. We'll shop 20+ carriers to find you coverage at the best available rate.
Serving Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva, Bonita Springs, Estero, and all of Lee County