In Naples and Marco Island, two homes on the same street can carry wildly different insurance costs. The difference usually comes down to flood zone, elevation, and how the home was built.
Flood zones are not all equal
FEMA maps divide Southwest Florida into zones that affect whether flood insurance is required and how much it costs.
Elevation certificates matter
An elevation certificate documents how high the lowest floor sits relative to the base flood elevation — often the single biggest lever on the premium.
Modern code equals lower premiums
Homes built to current code with impact glass and proper elevation are rewarded by insurers.
- Check the FEMA flood zone and base flood elevation
- Ask whether an elevation certificate exists
- Get actual bound insurance quotes
- For waterfront: seawall, dock permits, and true Gulf access