How do I check if a house is going to be uninsurable in five years?

This is such a smart question — and honestly, more buyers should be thinking about this right now. If you’re already getting an $8,000 quote, the market is telling you something: insurance risk is real on this property, and it could get worse over time. There’s no way to guarantee what insurance will look like in 5 years, but there are a few ways to get a much clearer picture before you buy. First, talk to multiple insurance providers, not just one. Ask them directly how they see this area trending and whether they’re tightening guidelines or pulling back. That alone can tell you a lot. Second, look at what’s already happening in that area — are insurance companies leaving, raising deductibles, or limiting coverage? If that’s happening now, it’s likely to continue. Third, you can use tools like FEMA flood maps, ClimateCheck, or First Street to see long-term flood, fire, and climate risk scores by address or zip code. They’re not perfect, but they give you a directional view. And one thing I always tell my buyers — don’t just focus on today’s premium. Ask: “If this doubles, does this still make sense for me?” Because the real risk isn’t just cost — it’s availability. In some areas, it’s becoming harder to get coverage at all. The bottom line is this: if insurance already feels high and uncertain, you want to go into this purchase with your eyes fully open and a backup plan. As a REALTOR®, I always guide my clients to treat insurance like part of the investment — not an afterthought — because it can absolutely impact both affordability and future resale.

The answer may vary by state, but in Florida you can get a wind mitigation inspection and a 4 point inspection that the insurance company will request to see. The age of the roof and other components inspected determine your insurance cost with a newer roof, windows, doors, etc brining your insurance rate down. The elevation of the home also plays a role in the insurance costs. In Florida there is currently a grant program available with up to $10,000 per homeowner available to help harden your home and bring down your insurance costs. The website to apply is https://mysafeflhome.com/