If you’re lucky enough to boat in the Florida Keys, you already know the joy of island hopping, reef fishing, and sunset cruising. But there’s one question we hear often from Keys residents and visitors alike:
“Do I need boat insurance in Florida?”
The short answer: Boat insurance is not legally required by the state of Florida for recreational vessels. But just because it’s not mandatory doesn’t mean you should go without it — especially in a place as unique (and storm-prone) as the Florida Keys.
Why Boat Insurance Is Highly Recommended in the Florida Keys
While Florida law doesn’t require boat insurance, there are situations where it is required:
If you finance your boat — lenders usually require full coverage.
If you dock at a marina — many marinas require proof of liability insurance.
If you’re involved in an accident — you’ll want coverage for damage, injuries, or lawsuits.
And let’s not forget: hurricane exposure in the Keys is one of the highest in the country. A single storm can result in significant vessel damage or total loss. Without insurance, you could be on the hook for thousands out of pocket.
Boat Insurance Starts at Just $75/Year
At Barefoot Insurance Brokers, we work with top carriers including Progressive, Ahoy!, GEICO, and American Integrity, and can find policies starting at just $75/year for basic coverage. Whether you need liability-only protection or full hull and motor coverage, we’ll help you navigate your options.
The 5 Most Populated Coastal Areas in the Florida Keys (With Zip Codes)
We help boaters from Key Largo to Key West get covered quickly and affordably. If you live in or dock your boat near any of the following areas, we’ve got you covered:
1. Key West
Zip Codes: 33040, 33041
Known for sailboats, fishing charters, and day cruisers.
2. Key Largo
Zip Codes: 33037
Popular for center consoles and dive boats in Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
3. Marathon
Zip Codes: 33050
A boating hub with lots of marina traffic and offshore fishing vessels.
4. Islamorada
Zip Codes: 33036
The “Sportfishing Capital of the World,” where insurance is essential for high-value gear and vessels.
5. Big Pine Key
Zip Codes: 33043
Home to quiet backwaters, flats boats, and paddle craft—still worth insuring against theft or storm loss.
Protect Your Peace of Mind — Let Us Shop for You
Every vessel, every boater, and every budget is different. That’s why we shop across multiple marine insurance carriers to find you the best combination of price, coverage, and service. Whether you’re a weekend cruiser or a full-time liveaboard, we’ll get you the protection you need at a price you can afford.
📞 Call or Email Zack Epstein Today
Zack Epstein specializes in Florida boat insurance and knows the Florida Keys like the back of his hand.
Recent reports from Zillow show a decline in property values in Vero Beach, Florida for Q3 2025, which has many homeowners wondering: “Will my insurance premium go down too?”
Unfortunately, the answer is probably not—and here’s why.
Market Value vs. Replacement Cost: What Florida Homeowners Need to Know
When it comes to home insurance, what really matters isn’t your home’s market value (what you could sell it for), but rather its replacement cost value—what it would cost to rebuild your home from the ground up in today’s labor and materials market.
Even if Vero Beach home prices are softening, construction costs remain high, driven by inflation, supply chain issues, and a shortage of skilled labor. Insurance carriers use these costs to determine how much coverage your home requires—not what Zillow or the real estate market says your house is worth.
So even if your Zillow estimate is dropping, your insurance premium is based on the cost to rebuild, which could stay the same or even increase.
Why Insurance Premiums Often Stay the Same or Increase
Rising construction costs: Lumber, roofing, and skilled labor remain expensive across Florida.
Storm risk: Vero Beach is a coastal community vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding. These risks are priced into your premium.
Inflation Guard Endorsements: Many home insurance policies include clauses that automatically adjust your dwelling coverage upward each year to account for inflation.
What You Can Do to Take Control
While market values are out of your hands, your insurance policy isn’t. Now is a great time to review your coverage with a trusted local expert.
💬 Are you overinsured, underinsured, or just not sure?
👉 Contact Craig Appleman, an Independent Insurance Broker servicing Vero Beach, who specializes in:
Homeowner’s Insurance
Flood Insurance
Personal Lines (Auto, Boat, Motorcycle, Umbrella, and more)
Craig works with dozens of top-rated carriers to help local residents get the right coverage at the best price—even in a changing market.
📞 Call Craig today at (772)276-7200, x 4 📧 Or email craig@barefootins.com for a free policy review and quote.
Don’t let headlines or home estimates mislead you—get real answers from a real expert.
Florida is home to more registered boats than any other state—and with good reason. Whether you’re cruising the Gulf, exploring the Keys, or enjoying the Intracoastal Waterway, owning a boat is part of the Florida lifestyle. But the question we hear most often from Florida boaters is: “How much is boat insurance in Florida?”
The Quick Answer: Boat Insurance in Florida Starts at Just $75/Year
At Barefoot Insurance Brokers, we represent Progressive, Ahoy!, GEICO, and American Integrity, which allows us to compare rates and coverages across multiple top-rated insurers. With Progressive, annual boat insurance policies in Florida start at just $75/year, depending on your boat type, location, and desired coverage.
Why Your Zip Code & Boat Type Matter
The cost of your policy can vary based on:
Boat type (fishing boat, pontoon, sailboat, powerboat, personal watercraft, etc.)
Your zip code and where the boat is stored or used
Coverage limits (liability-only vs. full coverage)
Boating experience & claims history
That’s why it’s important to speak with a marine insurance specialist who can shop around on your behalf.
5 Most Populated Coastal Regions in Florida (With Key Zip Codes)
If you’re in one of Florida’s most populated coastal areas, chances are we’ve helped your neighbors secure better marine coverage at the best price.
1. Miami-Dade County
Main Zip Codes: 33139 (Miami Beach), 33133 (Coconut Grove), 33160 (Aventura)
Popular for center consoles, yachts, and sportfishing boats.
2. Tampa Bay Area (Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties)
Main Zip Codes: 33602 (Tampa), 33701 (St. Petersburg), 34698 (Dunedin)
Great for bay boats, deck boats, and sailboats.
3. Fort Lauderdale / Broward County
Main Zip Codes: 33316 (Harbordale), 33004 (Dania Beach), 33062 (Pompano Beach)
Known as the “Yachting Capital of the World.”
4. Jacksonville / Duval County
Main Zip Codes: 32210, 32223, 32207
Popular for bass boats and cruisers in the St. Johns River and Atlantic coast.
5. Palm Beach County
Main Zip Codes: 33480 (Palm Beach), 33410 (Palm Beach Gardens), 33401 (West Palm Beach)
High demand for coverage on center consoles, luxury vessels, and jet skis.
We Shop Rates for You — So You Don’t Have To
Whether you’re storing your boat in Fort Lauderdale, sailing from St. Pete, or trailering to the Keys, Barefoot Insurance Brokers will compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best protection at the lowest possible cost.
Our team understands that cost is a major concern — and we’re here to help you find coverage that fits your budget without cutting corners on protection.
📞 Call or Email Zack Epstein Today
Zack Epstein is your go-to Florida marine insurance agent and is ready to help you compare policies and get covered fast.
In the state of Florida, Progressive Insurance generally follows standard auto insurance practices when it comes to temporary substitute vehicles and coverage transfers, but it’s important to review your specific policy for exact terms. Here’s a general breakdown of what is typically considered a temporary vehicle and how liability coverage may transfer:
✅ Definition of a Temporary Vehicle
A temporary substitute vehicle is usually defined as:
“A vehicle you do not own, which is used temporarily in place of your covered vehicle when your vehicle is out of normal use because of breakdown, repair, servicing, loss, or destruction.” For the sake of this post, lets consider that you rented a car from a major rental car agency like Enterprise, Avis or Thrifty, for example and fully paid out of pocket for the rental car.
📌 Requirements for Liability Coverage to Transfer
For Progressive to transfer liability coverage to a temporary vehicle in Florida, the following conditions usually must be met:
You must have an active auto policy with Progressive.
The temporary vehicle is:
Not owned by you or a resident of your household.
Being used as a replacement while your covered vehicle is disabled or unavailable.
The use must be temporary (short-term use).
The replacement must be similar in use to your insured vehicle (e.g., replacing a private passenger car with another private passenger car, not a commercial vehicle).
🚫 When Coverage May Not Transfer
If the temporary vehicle is rented or leased for an extended period.
If you’re using a friend’s or relative’s car not as a replacement, but just for convenience.
If the vehicle is used for business or commercial purposes, unless your policy includes such use.
🛑 Important Caveat:
Progressive (like other insurers) may differ slightly in their policy wording, especially for commercial policies or if you have endorsements added to your plan.
🔍 Best Practice:
To be 100% sure, it’s always best to:
Review your declarations page and policy wording under the section “Temporary Substitute Vehicle” or “Other Vehicles.”
Or, call Progressive Customer Service or your local Progressive insurance agent to confirm how your liability coverage would apply in a specific situation.
Are you seeking a local Progressive Insurance Agent? Look no farther than Barefoot Insurance Brokers in Margate, FL, servicing Progressive Insurance clients in Margate, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Coconut Creek and Parkland. Call us today at 954-368-0060 and dial x 1 for new quotes.
Florida’s Space Coast—with its stunning beaches, vibrant communities, and space-age history—is a beautiful place to live. But for homeowners in Brevard County, especially in areas like Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach, owning property along the coast also comes with unique risks that make specialized coastal property insurance not just a recommendation—but a necessity.
Coastal Living = Coastal Risk
Living near the water has its perks, but it also means exposure to:
🌪️ Hurricanes and tropical storms
🌊 Storm surge and coastal flooding
🏚️ Saltwater corrosion that can damage building materials and infrastructure
🔥 Limited evacuation routes and emergency services during major storms
Barrier islands like Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach are particularly vulnerable because they sit between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon—making them prime targets for high winds, rising tides, and storm-driven water intrusion.
Why You Need Specialized Coastal Property Insurance
Standard homeowner’s insurance may not be enough to cover the unique exposures of owning a home near the shoreline. Craig Appleman, an experienced Florida-licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent, works directly with top carriers that understand the Florida coast and offer tailored policies to protect high-value and waterfront properties.
Craig helps you:
Identify hazard and flood risk exposures
Compare policies with custom coverage limits
Understand windstorm and hurricane deductibles
Ensure compliance with lender and FEMA flood insurance requirements
Prepare for future rate changes and insurance reform in coastal zones
Space Coast Expertise You Can Trust
With over a decade of experience insuring coastal homes across Florida, Craig Appleman focuses on helping residents of the Space Coast, including Satellite Beach, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, and beyond. Whether you’re new to the area or reviewing your current policy, Craig offers free insurance reviews and personalized quotes designed to meet the needs of Florida’s waterfront homeowners.
📞 Call Craig Appleman today at 321-218-3880, ext. 4 📧 Or email craig@barefootins.com for your free coastal property insurance quote.
Don’t wait until the next storm is on the radar—protect your home now with a tailored coastal insurance strategy.
Why Do You Need an SR-22 Insurance Policy in Florida?
If you’ve been told you need an SR-22 in Florida, you may be feeling confused or overwhelmed—but you’re not alone, and help is available. At Barefoot Insurance Brokers, we specialize in assisting drivers across Broward County with obtaining affordable SR-22 insurance, even in complex or high-risk situations.
What Is an SR-22?
An SR-22 is a certificate filed by your insurance company with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) to prove that you carry the minimum required auto liability coverage. It’s often required to reinstate a suspended or revoked license and is a common part of the process for drivers with past violations.
Common Reasons You Might Be Required to File an SR-22:
DUI or DWI conviction
Driving without insurance
Multiple traffic violations or reckless driving
License suspension due to unpaid tickets or child support
Involvement in an accident while uninsured
Reinstating your license after a lapse in coverage
Whether you own a vehicle or not, you’ll need the right type of SR-22:
Owner SR-22: For those who own a car.
Non-Owner SR-22: For drivers without a car who still need to maintain legal driving status.
Affordable SR-22 Insurance Carriers
Many standard insurers won’t provide SR-22 filings, or they charge hefty premiums. Fortunately, Barefoot Insurance Brokers works with trusted, competitive carriers known for their willingness to work with high-risk drivers:
Progressive
Dairyland
GAINSCO
United Automobile Insurance Company
These companies offer flexible and cost-effective SR-22 policies, making them ideal for drivers looking to meet state requirements without overpaying.
Serving Broward County Drivers with Experience and Care
If you’re located in Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale Lakes, Tamarac, Wilton Manors, or Hollywood, Laurel Schwartz is your go-to agent for fast, reliable SR-22 quotes. With years of experience helping Florida drivers navigate tough insurance situations, Laurel will walk you through the process and make sure your filing is completed correctly and quickly.
📞 Call Laurel Schwartz today at 954-368-0060, ext. 9 📧 Or email laurel@barefootins.com to request your Owner or Non-Owner SR-22 insurance quote.
At Barefoot Insurance Brokers, we help Florida drivers get back on the road—with confidence and compliance.
