What is the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone?

It's the Florida Building Code's strictest wind-resistance standard, which applies only in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Building products used there need a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance showing they passed impact and wind testing.

What is the Citizens coverage limit in Miami-Dade?

Citizens can insure homes with dwelling values under $1 million in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, versus under $700,000 in most of Florida. Confirm the current limit, since lawmakers have debated changing it.

Do impact windows lower home insurance in Miami?

Opening protection is one of the features recorded on Florida's wind mitigation form, and insurers must offer credits for qualifying features. The size of the credit varies by insurer, so compare more than one.

Miami-Dade County

Home and auto insurance in Miami: what Miami-Dade residents should know

By the Florida Coverage Compare editorial team · Last updated October 31, 2026

The short answer

Miami-Dade is one of only two Florida counties, with Broward, in the Florida Building Code's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, the strictest wind standard in the country. That code, Citizens' higher $1 million coverage cap in Miami-Dade, and the need for separate flood insurance shape how homes here are insured.

The High-Velocity Hurricane Zone

The Florida Building Code treats Miami-Dade and Broward as the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). Windows, doors, shutters and roofing used here need a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) showing they passed the county's impact and wind testing. The rest of Florida uses statewide Florida Product Approval instead.

For insurance, that matters because tested openings and roof systems are exactly what a wind mitigation inspection records. Keep your permits and the NOA numbers for impact windows, doors and your roof: they make it easier for an inspector to document the features that earn wind credits.

Citizens' higher limit in Miami-Dade

Citizens Property Insurance can insure homes with dwelling values under $1 million in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, compared with under $700,000 in most of Florida. Homes above the cap need a private insurer. Lawmakers have debated changing these limits, so confirm the current figure.

Flood is a separate policy

Storm surge and heavy rain are flood damage, which a homeowners policy doesn't cover. Look up your flood zone on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, and remember that most Citizens policyholders must carry flood coverage by January 1, 2027.

What to have ready when you shop

Your current declarations page and renewal notice
Your wind mitigation report (form OIR-B1-1802), if you have one
Permits and NOA numbers for impact windows, doors and the roof
Roof age and the year of any re-roof
Your flood zone and any elevation certificate

Auto insurance in Miami

Florida's auto minimums are the same in Miami as anywhere in the state: $10,000 of PIP and $10,000 of property damage liability. In a coastal county, the coverage people overlook is comprehensive: it's the part of an auto policy that pays when a car is damaged by flooding or storm surge.

Common questions in Miami

What is the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone?: It's the Florida Building Code's strictest wind-resistance standard, which applies only in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Building products used there need a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance showing they passed impact and wind testing.
What is the Citizens coverage limit in Miami-Dade?: Citizens can insure homes with dwelling values under $1 million in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, versus under $700,000 in most of Florida. Confirm the current limit, since lawmakers have debated changing it.
Do impact windows lower home insurance in Miami?: Opening protection is one of the features recorded on Florida's wind mitigation form, and insurers must offer credits for qualifying features. The size of the credit varies by insurer, so compare more than one.

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Sources

General information, not insurance advice. Florida Coverage Compare is not an insurance company or agent. Confirm details with a licensed agent or the official source.