James J Zito III

Great question, and it's one we hear often. In Florida, homeowners insurance does not transfer with the sale of a home. The seller's policy belongs to the seller and ends when they no longer own the property. As the buyer, you'll need to obtain your own homeowners insurance policy before closing, and if you're financing the purchase, your lender will require proof of coverage. Flood insurance is different. If the seller has a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy, that policy can generally be assigned to the new owner at closing. This can be beneficial because it may avoid waiting periods and preserve the policy's rating history. However, the policy still needs to be formally transferred and updated with your information it doesn't automatically move over just because you bought the house. So, in short: aoe... Homeowners insurance: New owner = new policy. aoe... Flood insurance: May be transferable, but only through a formal assignment process. Since you're buying in Boca Raton, where flood zones can be a concern, it's a good idea to have your insurance agent review both the homeowners and flood coverage before closing so there are no surprises. A few minutes spent before closing can save a lot of headaches afterward. James J Zito III ZitoRealty.com