Just Bought a Home in FL or GA? 5 Insurance Steps to Take Before Your First Mortgage Payment
Closing day covers the paperwork. These five steps cover what happens next.
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Confirm Your Flood Zone — Don’t Assume
Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage. Whether flood insurance is required depends on your specific flood zone designation, and zones get updated periodically. Even outside a mandatory zone, flooding happens — worth confirming your actual risk rather than assuming your homeowners policy has you covered.
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Review Life Insurance Against Your New Mortgage
Your mortgage balance is likely now the largest financial obligation your family would face without your income. If you have an old policy from years ago, or none at all, this is the natural moment to size coverage against your actual current numbers.
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Understand Your Windstorm/Hurricane Deductible
Florida and Georgia coastal and near-coastal properties often carry a separate, percentage-based windstorm or hurricane deductible rather than a flat dollar amount. Know what that percentage translates to in real dollars before you need to file a claim, not after.
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Consider an Umbrella Policy
Owning a home — especially one with a pool, dock, or other liability exposure — increases what you could be on the hook for in a lawsuit. An umbrella policy extends liability coverage beyond your homeowners and auto limits, often at a modest annual cost.
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Revisit Health Coverage If You Relocated
If your home purchase came with a move — new county, new state, or a job change — confirm your health plan’s network still includes your preferred doctors, and check whether the move qualifies you for a special enrollment window if you need to switch plans.
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See Mortgage Protection OptionsFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need life insurance right after buying a home?
It’s one of the most common times to add or review coverage, since your mortgage is now the largest financial obligation your family would need to handle without your income. Many buyers review coverage in the weeks around closing rather than waiting years.
Is flood insurance required in Florida and Georgia?
It depends on your property’s flood zone designation and whether your lender requires it as a condition of the mortgage. Even outside a mandatory flood zone, flooding can still occur, so it’s worth checking your specific zone rather than assuming you’re covered or excluded.
What’s the difference between homeowners insurance and mortgage protection insurance?
Homeowners insurance protects the physical structure and belongings from damage. Mortgage protection or life insurance protects your family’s ability to keep making payments if something happens to you. New homeowners often only think about the first one.