Competing numbers tell very different stories about homeowners insurance in Florida's Collier County for early 2026. A national estimate suggested one of the country's biggest jumps, while WINK News reported that regulator-based data for the state showed a much smaller increase.
The gap is significant: roughly $10,052 versus $5,534 in average annual premiums.
Here's what to know
In figures cited by WINK News, insurance comparison company Insurify ranked Collier County second nationally for estimated homeowners insurance growth in the first half of 2026. The company said the average annual premium climbed 25.3% to $10,052.
Mark Friedlander, senior director of media relations for the Insurance Information Institute, said his group's review of Florida regulatory data showed nothing close to that. He said the countywide average annual premium stood at $5,534 on March 31, 2026 — roughly 2% higher.
"They said Collier went up 25.3%. I can't validate that. We just don't have any data source that shows that at all," Friedlander said.
The conflicting totals appear to reflect different methods. WINK News reported that Insurify used pricing data and a standardized coverage scenario to model costs, while Friedlander said the institute looks at state data on the premiums policyholders actually pay.
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More background
As for why some estimates are higher, Insurify pointed to storm exposure and homeowners shifting away from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, Florida's insurer of last resort.
Friedlander said that interpretation misses the broader trend. In his view, transferring policies from Citizens to private insurers has steadied Florida's market, and he added that the two sets of figures cover different periods, which makes side-by-side comparisons tricky.
For homeowners on the ground, costs have still been rising. Lissette Santos, who has lived in Collier County for 34 years, said her premium has gone up by about $600 to $700 a year over three-and-a-half years.
Santos, a mortgage loan officer, said insurance expenses are also reshaping buyer behavior. She said some clients are targeting homes outside flood zones, while others are expanding their search to other cities or putting off a purchase.
What can be done?
Santos added a carrier change brought some relief: moving from American Integrity to Orion180 lowered her annual cost by about $300.
Friedlander urged homeowners to get competing quotes before a policy renews and to make sure they are comparing the same amount of coverage. Estimates, quotes, and actual premiums paid can vary widely depending on the carrier and the assumptions behind the policy.
Across Southwest Florida, Santos said insurance is becoming a bigger factor in where people shop for homes. Some buyers are focusing on properties outside flood zones to avoid a separate flood insurance bill on top of homeowners coverage.
Friedlander also said Floridians are seeing a more competitive landscape, with private insurers actively vying for customers across the state.
"We are seeing rates flattening, premiums actually decreasing on average," he said. "A much more robust home insurance market for consumers."
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