Florida's July 2026 Property Insurance Stability Report shows average premiums declined in 51 of 67 counties from January to July 2026. Indian River led with a 2.7 percent drop to $4,334, while Palm Beach fell 1.4 percent to $6,323. Residents report the modest declines don't match their lived experience of rising costs.
Average property insurance premiums declined in 51 of Florida's 67 counties from January to July 2026, per the state's Property Insurance Stability Report.
"One of the big ticket items of living here is the cost of homeowners insurance," Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg Weiss said, noting county officials still hear regularly from residents struggling with high insurance bills.
Indian River posted the largest local decline among the highlighted counties, dropping 2.7 percent from $4,453 to $4,334. Palm Beach fell 1.4 percent from $6,412 to $6,323; Martin declined 1.6 percent from $5,993 to $5,899; St. Lucie slipped 0.9 percent from $3,522 to $3,491; and Okeechobee decreased 0.6 percent from $3,754 to $3,730. The report attributed the easing to reduced litigation following state insurance reforms.
The declines remain modest against years of punishing increases, with annual premiums in many counties still totaling several thousand dollars. Weiss said he dropped wind coverage on his West Palm Beach home to save tens of thousands of dollars — a trade-off that leaves homeowners exposed if a major storm hits.
Residents say the state's figures don't match lived experience. "It has been going up, never went down," Palm Beach County resident Barry Garcia told WFLX.
When insurance becomes unaffordable, some homeowners underinsure their properties, making recovery after disasters more difficult and adding financial uncertainty to communities already facing growing extreme weather risks. Florida's hurricane exposure and coastal geography have made it one of the most expensive states for homeowners insurance, and the cumulative effect of years of rate increases has strained household budgets across the state.
The report's findings offer a small sign of relief after years of punishing increases, but the 0.6 to 2.7 percent declines do not erase the cumulative burden on Florida homeowners. The next Property Insurance Stability Report will show whether the trend holds through the second half of 2026, particularly as hurricane season tests the state's insurance market. Readers should verify premium figures against the latest official state announcement, as rates and policies can change.
This article is for informational reference only and does not constitute professional or investment advice.
