Home and auto insurance in Pensacola and Escambia County

Hurricane Sally, 2020

Sally crawled ashore at Gulf Shores, Alabama, but its slow pace dumped extreme rain on Escambia County. Local public radio station WUWF reported county figures of more than 1,700 structures damaged, more than 600 with major damage and 44 destroyed.

Rain flooding is flood damage

Much of Sally's damage came from rain and storm surge, which homeowners policies exclude. A flood policy, NFIP or private, is the only coverage for it. NFIP policies usually take 30 days to start.

The storm doesn't have to hit you

Sally's landfall was in Alabama, yet a hurricane warning anywhere in Florida starts Florida's hurricane deductible period. Wind damage in Escambia from a storm that landed next door can still fall under your hurricane deductible.

Auto insurance in Pensacola and Escambia

Escambia County drivers carry Florida's minimums: $10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage liability. Sally flooded vehicles across Pensacola; only comprehensive coverage pays for that.

Common questions in Pensacola and Escambia

Where did Hurricane Sally make landfall?

At Gulf Shores, Alabama, on September 16, 2020, but it caused severe flooding in Pensacola and Escambia County.

How much rain did Sally bring to Pensacola?

The National Weather Service recorded more than 2 feet of rain near Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Does my hurricane deductible apply if the storm landed in Alabama?

It can. Florida's hurricane deductible period starts when a hurricane warning is issued for any part of Florida, regardless of where the storm makes landfall.

Local resources

• Escambia County: Be Ready
• Florida Division of Emergency Management: Know Your Zone (evacuation zones)
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center: look up your flood zone

Related Florida guides

• Flood insurance in Florida: NFIP, private flood and the Citizens requirement
• Florida hurricane deductibles: how the 2%, 5% and 10% options work
• Florida wind mitigation inspections: what they check and how they cut your premium
• Florida roof age rules for home insurance: the 15-year law explained

Sources

• WUWF: One year later, lessons learned from Hurricane Sally
• Florida Department of Financial Services: Florida's hurricane deductible
• FEMA FloodSmart

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.