Flood insurance

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage; that requires a separate flood policy, written through the federal National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer. In Florida this distinction is central rather than academic.

Whether a lender requires flood insurance comes down to a flood-zone determination against FEMA's current map for the specific parcel — not the county or neighborhood in general. Two homes a block apart can land on different sides of a flood-zone line and carry very different costs.

Because the premium can be a large part of the monthly payment near the coast, getting a determination and an actual quote on the exact property early — before you're under contract — is one of the most important Florida-specific steps.