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.
After nearly a decade of financial instability, Florida’s property insurance market is finally posting profits—for the first time in eight years. According to a recent article from PropertyCasualty360, insurers across the state have reported positive net income, reflecting improved underwriting discipline, rate adequacy, and fewer catastrophic losses in recent years.
One particularly eye-catching headline is the reported $21 million salary of Slide Insurance CEO Bruce Lucas in 2024, signaling renewed profitability and confidence among private insurers in Florida’s volatile property insurance landscape.
While increased profitability is a positive sign for the long-term health of the industry, many Florida homeowners and business owners are left wondering: Why aren’t my insurance premiums going down?
The answer lies in the larger economic context. Several factors are currently keeping property insurance costs elevated in 2025:
📦 Trade tariffs and global economic uncertainty are driving up the cost of building materials.
🧱 Labor shortages and inflation are impacting repair and replacement costs.
🔍 Insurers continue to account for litigation risk and reinsurance expenses, especially in coastal markets like Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, and Margate.
These pressures are keeping premiums from dropping—even as carriers improve their bottom lines.
What Can Florida Policyholders Do?
At Barefoot Insurance Brokers, we understand how confusing and frustrating the current insurance environment can be. That’s why our licensed agents work with clients across Brevard County, Broward County, and the Treasure Coast to help navigate:
📄 Property insurance policy sublimits and exclusions
🌊 The difference between water damage and flood coverage
📊 Premium comparisons across multiple carriers
🛠️ Coverage options that align with local construction and replacement costs
Whether you’re in Cocoa, Port St. John, Margate, Coral Springs, or Hutchinson Island, we’re here to help you make sense of your policy and identify opportunities to optimize your coverage and costs.
📞 Contact Us for a Personalized Policy Review
If you’re concerned about rising insurance premiums or want to better understand what your current policy covers, reach out to Laurel Schwartz at laurel@barefootins.com. We’re happy to offer a no-obligation review of your Florida homeowners or property insurance policy.
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. Ryan Sintay, 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.
Ryan 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, Ryan 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, Ryan offers free insurance reviews and personalized quotes designed to meet the needs of Florida’s waterfront homeowners.
📞 Call Zack Epstein today at 321-218-3880 📧 Or email zack@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.
