Risk Before Buy

City Risk Report

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward County · Pop. 182,760

County-level composite · does not reflect parcel-specific conditions

Fort Lauderdale buyers should weigh wind, flood, and residual-market costs as heavily as list price.

HurricaneExtreme HeatFlood

Editorial review: 2026-06-19 · Data retrieved: Jun 19, 2026 at 00:00 UTC (snapshot of historical values) · For the latest live data, run a lookup on the Snapshot tool.

Top 5% most at-risk nationallyExtreme

Overall Risk Score

Top 5% most at-risk nationally

County-level composite · does not reflect parcel-specific conditions

Overall Risk

Top 5% most at-risk nationally

County-level composite · does not reflect parcel-specific conditions

Expected Annual Loss

Top 5% most at-risk nationally

Extreme · county composite

Est. Annual Insurance

$2,630 – $6,880

Directional range

Last Major Event

2023

April rainfall flooding

Insurance Market Context

These scores are county-level composites derived from FEMA National Risk Index. Individual parcels may differ significantly. This is not a property appraisal.

Market Pressure

SEVERE

Florida's admitted-carrier market is severely contracted. A broker who specializes in last-resort coverage (state FAIR Plan or residual market) is essential.

Admitted Market Share

48%

Carriers exiting at 11.2% YoY in Florida.

Residual Market

$3,682–$9,632

annual · last-resort
FAIR Plan / Citizens exposure up 312% since 2020.

Premium Strain Index

Insurance is roughly 6.3% of median household income — the First Street 12th National Risk Assessment characterizes anything above 5% as financially unsustainable.

Premium-to-income ratio. Based on state Department of Insurance filings, average annual premiums in this area range from $2,630 to $6,880. Not an insurance quote. The First Street 12th National Risk Assessment characterizes any ZIP above 5% as financially unsustainable.

Not an insurance quote. These figures are derived from public state Department of Insurance filings and are intended to surface market pressure signals. Actual premiums depend on parcel-specific underwriting factors and carrier availability. Consult a licensed insurance broker for a binding quote.

Broward County Hazard Breakdown

Scores below are from the federal National Risk Index at the county level, refined with parcel-level signals where available (FEMA NFHL for flood, USDA WHP for wildfire, USGS PGA for earthquake, NWS for heat).

Top 5% most at-risk nationally

Hurricane

Extreme

Around the national median

Earthquake

Moderate

Top 5% most at-risk nationally

Extreme Heat

Extreme

Top 5% most at-risk nationally

Flood

Extreme

Top 5% most at-risk nationally

Wildfire

Extreme

Data pending

Severe Storm / Tornado

Low risk
Hazard
Risk Level
Score · Source
Hurricane
Top 5% most at-risk nationally· FEMA
Earthquake
Around the national median· FEMA
Extreme Heat
Top 5% most at-risk nationally· FEMA
Flood
Top 5% most at-risk nationally· FEMA
Wildfire
Top 5% most at-risk nationally· FEMA
Severe Storm / Tornado
· FEMA

Local Flood Risk Cost Estimator

Flood insurance costs in Fort Lauderdale, FL

In Fort Lauderdale, FL, the directional annual NFIP flood insurance premium is approximately $2,198 (range $1,500–$3,500), and the estimated average historical flood claim in Broward County is $80,028. Typical mapped exposure aligns with Zone A / AE (SFHA) (county flood percentile: 99).

NFIP premium (mid)
$2,198/yr
Monthly escrow slice
$125–$292/mo
Avg. paid claim
$80,028
Lender may require
Likely yes (SFHA)

Hurricane Windstorm Deductible Estimator

Named windstorm deductible exposure in Fort Lauderdale, FL

In Fort Lauderdale, FL, a 5% hurricane / windstorm deductible on a $450,000 insured dwelling implies roughly $22,500 out-of-pocket before the carrier pays (hurricane percentile: 100).

Deductible %
5%
Out-of-pocket
$22,500
Emergency fund target
$33,750

Heat & HVAC Holding-Cost Estimator

Extreme heat carrying costs in Fort Lauderdale, FL

In Fort Lauderdale, FL, directional summer utility strain adds roughly $473/yr above a moderate-climate baseline (heat percentile: 99). Over 10 years, modeled hidden heat + HVAC costs land near $14,330 — about $1,433/yr to budget for cooling and accelerated equipment wear.

Est. monthly electric
$183/mo
Annual heat tax
$473/yr
10-yr hidden cost
$14,330

Wildfire & FAIR Plan Stress Test

Wildfire insurance non-renewal risk in Fort Lauderdale, FL

In Fort Lauderdale, FL, admitted-carrier withdrawal could push coverage through Citizens Property Insurance Corporation at roughly $13,076/yr — about +$8,321/yr vs. a $4,755 baseline (wildfire percentile: 97).

Non-renewal risk: severe

Baseline premium
$4,755/yr
Residual market est.
$13,076/yr
Annual uplift
+$8,321/yr

What each hazard means for you

Expand any card to see the federal source citation and the buyer-specific action items our research team recommends for this hazard profile.

Hurricane Risk

Top 5% most at-risk nationallyExtreme

Fort Lauderdale ranks in the 100th national percentile for hurricane exposure in the FEMA National Risk Index.

FEMA · National Risk Index

Earthquake Risk

Around the national medianModerate

Fort Lauderdale ranks in the 41th national percentile for earthquake exposure in the FEMA National Risk Index.

FEMA · National Risk Index

Extreme Heat

Top 5% most at-risk nationallyExtreme

Fort Lauderdale ranks in the 99th national percentile for heat exposure in the FEMA National Risk Index.

FEMA · National Risk Index

Flood Risk

Top 5% most at-risk nationallyExtreme

Fort Lauderdale ranks in the 99th national percentile for flood exposure in the FEMA National Risk Index.

FEMA · National Risk Index

Wildfire Risk

Top 5% most at-risk nationallyExtreme

Fort Lauderdale ranks in the 97th national percentile for wildfire exposure in the FEMA National Risk Index.

FEMA · National Risk Index

Severe Storm / Tornado

Bottom 20% nationally (safer than most)Minimal

Fort Lauderdale tornado data is unavailable. Run an address lookup for parcel-specific assessment.

FEMA · National Risk Index

FEMA Flood Zone

Is this specific parcel in a Special Flood Hazard Area?

The free address snapshot queries FEMA NFHL point-in-polygon and returns your exact FEMA Flood Zone (A, AE, X, etc.) in seconds.

Run a free address lookup

Carrier Outlook

Florida's admitted-carrier market is severely contracted. A broker who specializes in last-resort coverage (state FAIR Plan or residual market) is essential.

Data Sources

FEMA NRINOAAUSGSUSDAEPA
Data Sources & Methodology

FEMANational Risk Index

Retrieved June 19, 2026

View source
View full methodology

Editorial Analysis

Editor's Intelligence
Reviewed June 19, 2026

Fort Lauderdale, Broward County has an overall National Risk Index score of 99 and an expected annual loss score of 99, placing it in the extreme national risk band. The dominant local perils are hurricane, extreme heat, flood. The city-level scores below are county-level composites; actual parcel risk can differ meaningfully by neighborhood, elevation, and lot characteristics. Fort Lauderdale's hurricane risk scores 100 at the 100th national percentile, placing it in the extreme band. This is among the highest exposure nationally; standard-market underwriting is increasingly selective and residual-market backup plans are worth modeling. Buyers should review wind mitigation reports, roof age, and storm-surge evacuation zone. Fort Lauderdale's extreme heat risk scores 99 at the 99th national percentile, placing it in the extreme band. This is among the highest exposure nationally; standard-market underwriting is increasingly selective and residual-market backup plans are worth modeling. Buyers should model long-term cooling costs, insulation, and grid reliability. Fort Lauderdale's flood risk scores 99 at the 99th national percentile, placing it in the extreme band. This is among the highest exposure nationally; standard-market underwriting is increasingly selective and residual-market backup plans are worth modeling. Buyers should check FEMA flood zone status, elevation certificate, and drainage history. The Florida insurance market is currently under severe pressure: admitted carriers write roughly 48% of new business and the residual market has grown roughly 312% since 2020. For higher-risk parcels in Fort Lauderdale, the residual market can run from $4,200 to $11,500 annually. Directional standard-market premiums for the city typically range from $2,630 to $6,880, but parcel-specific factors can move quotes well outside that band. Buyers should use the address-level snapshot tool to pin these citywide averages to the specific property under consideration. A full L2 or L3 report will also surface flood zone status, insurance-market pressure, and action items tied to the exact parcel.

Open Data Collective

Historical Events

2023Flood

April rainfall flooding

Extreme rainfall flooded roads, neighborhoods, and airport operations.

2017Hurricane

Hurricane Irma

Wind damage and infrastructure outages reinforced vulnerability in older neighborhoods.

ZIP Code Risk Profile

Representative ZIP Codes

33301

Fort Lauderdale area

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33304

Fort Lauderdale area

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33305

Fort Lauderdale area

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33306

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33308

Fort Lauderdale area

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33309

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33311

Fort Lauderdale area

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33312

Fort Lauderdale area

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33313

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33314

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33315

Fort Lauderdale area

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33316

Fort Lauderdale area

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33317

Fort Lauderdale area

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33319

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33321

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33322

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33323

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33324

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33325

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33326

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33327

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33328

Fort Lauderdale area

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33330

Fort Lauderdale area

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33331

Fort Lauderdale area

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33332

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33334

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

33351

Fort Lauderdale area

View report

Risk varies significantly by ZIP code and parcel. Use the address-level report for precise, parcel-specific scores rather than city-wide averages.

NRI Score Components

County-level composite · does not reflect parcel-specific conditions

Overall Risk99/100 · Extreme
Expected Annual Loss99/100 · Extreme
Social Vulnerability55/100 · Moderate
Community Resilience44/100 · Moderate
Resident count at elevated risk
Parcel-level data · run address lookup

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Fort Lauderdale Climate Risk FAQ

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Considering buying in Fort Lauderdale?

Two tiers, one funnel: run a free address lookup, then unlock the depth that fits your buying stage. Both options deliver a 12+ page climate brief before you go under contract.

Full Report

Tier L2

$19per address

Address-level hazard and insurance feasibility snapshot — five hazards, 30-year projections, carrier pressure signals, and a buy / negotiate / walk-away read for pre-offer buyers. PDF delivered within 5 minutes.

  • Five-hazard score breakdown: flood, wildfire, hurricane, earthquake, heat
  • 30-year federal climate projections for heat, wildfire, and sea level rise
  • Insurance premium estimate range based on state DOI filings
  • Clear buy / negotiate / walk-away recommendation with plain-language reasoning
  • Comparable lower-risk communities within 25 miles (up to 3 when available)
  • Plain-English explanations of SFHA, BFE, residual market, and other insurance terms
  • Single PDF you can share with your partner, agent, or inspector

Best for: pre-offer sanity check

Delivered: PDF by email within 5 minutes

Federal data: FEMA, USGS, NOAA, USDA, EPA

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Most comprehensive

Pre-Purchase Audit

Tier L3

$99per property

Under-contract diligence package: parcel flood zone verification, state insurance market analysis, NOAA claim history, and an evidence-backed negotiation brief to assess earnest-money risk. PDF delivered within 24 hours.

  • Everything in the $19 Full Report
  • Parcel-level FEMA flood zone verification (Zone A/AE/VE/X — point-in-polygon)
  • State insurance market analysis: admitted carrier share, exit rate, residual market growth
  • Premium Strain Index — insurance cost as % of local median income, with 2% / 5% affordability benchmarks
  • 10-year NOAA Storm Events claim history for the ZIP code
  • Negotiation leverage brief with specific, evidence-backed seller-concession asks (typically 3–5; fewer when data is limited)
  • Total carrying cost estimate: HO-3 baseline + standalone perils + residual market fallback
  • Identifies whether the property may become hard to insure before you close
  • Gives you specific talking points for price, credits, and contingency negotiation

Best for: under-contract buyers

Delivered: PDF by email within 24 hours

Includes: 7-day no-questions-asked refund

Delivered by email within 24 hours of payment.