Compare homeowners coverage from multiple insurance companies with a local, family-owned independent agency.
Family-owned independent agency
Serving Southwest Florida since 2009
From older riverfront neighborhoods along the Caloosahatchee to newer communities across Lee County, Fort Myers homeowners face the same big questions: hurricane wind, storm surge and flood, the age of the roof, and an insurance market where carriers and prices can change quickly. Hurricane Ian in 2022 showed how far that risk can reach, and a single company’s quote rarely tells the whole story.
As an independent agency, Goodlad & Swank compares coverage from multiple insurance companies and explains the differences in plain language, so you can make an informed decision and get the coverage you need at a price that fits your budget.
We insure primary homes in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Naples and throughout Southwest Florida. Own a condo instead? See our condo insurance options.
A standard Florida homeowners policy is built from six core coverages. Here is what each one does for you — and where the limits usually are.
Repairs or rebuilds the structure of your home after covered damage such as windstorms, fire, hail, lightning, theft and vandalism. Hurricane wind damage is usually covered, but with a separate hurricane deductible that is typically higher than your standard deductible.
Covers structures not attached to your house, like a fence, shed, gazebo, pool or detached garage. It is usually set at around 10% of your dwelling limit, so a $350,000 dwelling limit would carry about $35,000. Let us know about higher-value structures such as a pool house or guest house.
Pays to replace your belongings — furniture, electronics, clothing, dishes — after a covered loss. Jewelry, fine art and other high-value items carry dollar limits, so we can schedule them or write a separate personal articles policy for proper coverage.
If a covered loss makes your home unlivable, this helps pay for hotel stays, meals and other costs above your normal living expenses while repairs are made. After Hurricane Irma, it kept several of our clients housed while their homes were rebuilt.
Protects you if a guest is injured on your property or you are responsible for damage to someone else’s property, including legal defense costs if you are sued. It can also apply to accidents away from home caused by you or members of your household.
Covers medical bills — ambulance rides, treatment, surgery — when a visitor is hurt at your home, without the need to prove who was at fault. It can resolve small injuries quickly, before they turn into liability claims.
You can insure almost anything on (or in) your property — as long as the coverage is actually in your policy. Gaps are far easier to fix before a claim than during one.
Standard homeowners policies exclude flood, and many flood claims come from homes outside designated flood zones. In certain zones, your lender will require flood coverage — and its cost can affect what you can afford, so price it before you buy.
Rising water from storm surge, heavy rain or overflowing waterways is not covered by a homeowners policy. It requires a separate flood policy, written alongside your home insurance.
Most Florida policies include catastrophic ground collapse coverage for a sudden, severe collapse. Gradual sinkhole settling — which often causes costly cosmetic damage — needs separate sinkhole coverage, which is not always offered, especially near known sinkhole activity.
Rare in Florida, but not covered by a standard policy. Earthquake damage requires a separate policy.
Termites, aging roof shingles, slow pipe leaks and prior damage are the owner’s responsibility, not the insurer’s. Keeping up with maintenance matters at renewal too: roof age and condition directly affect which carriers will insure your home.
Florida premiums run higher than in most states. Hurricane exposure drives large repair and replacement payouts, damaged homes often must be rebuilt to stricter building codes, and rising material and legal costs push prices up statewide.
Your own premium depends mostly on:
A higher deductible lowers your premium, and the reverse is true too. Because we work with many of the insurance companies writing homes in Florida, we can compare rates side by side for the coverage you actually need.
Homes around 30 years old and older can face coverage restrictions, especially for water damage, and an older roof narrows the list of carriers willing to write a policy. Some carriers offer options others don’t. Tell us about your home and we’ll find the ones that fit.
Jewelry, firearms, fine art and family heirlooms have limited coverage under a standard policy. Tell us what you own and we can list each item or write a personal articles policy so they are insured for the right amounts.
Storm-driven water and leaking pipes are common Florida claims. Make sure your policy’s water damage coverage is adequate, and if it has been limited because of your home’s age, ask about partial or full buyback options — only certain carriers offer them.
Covers repair or replacement of HVAC systems, appliances and electronics when they break down. For a low yearly charge, it can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs.
Many carriers offer identity theft protection as an inexpensive add-on to your homeowners policy — a simple way to guard against fraud and online risks.
Share the address, the home’s age and roof details, and the coverage you have today.
We shop multiple insurance companies and lay out the differences in coverage and price in plain language.
Pick the policy that fits. We take care of the paperwork and stay your point of contact for changes, renewals and claims questions.
Florida’s insurance rules and carrier options change constantly. Our family-owned team works every day to get you the most coverage for your money — and to keep your policy right as things change.
