Decision guide
How to choose hurricane protection
Answer four questions. We'll point you at the option Florida homeowners most often land on for your situation — and the honest trade-offs that come with it.
What's your realistic budget?
How many stories is your home?
How long do you plan to stay?
Are you in a historic district or restrictive HOA?
Side-by-side comparison
| Storm panels | Accordion | Roll-down | Impact windows | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up-front cost | $ Low | $$ Mid | $$$ High | $$$$ Highest |
| Deployment time (whole home) | 60–120 min | 15–30 min | 1 button | None |
| Storage required | Yes — garage | No | No | No |
| Insurance credit | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strongest |
| Noise & UV benefit | No | No | No | Yes |
| Resale value impact | Low | Moderate | Moderate-high | High |
Pre-quote checklist
Print this. Walk through it before signing anything.
- Contractor license verified at MyFloridaLicense.com
- Certificate of insurance emailed directly from the carrier
- Product NOA or FL approval number written on the contract
- Design pressure rating specified per opening
- Permit responsibility assigned to the contractor in writing
- Deposit at or below state limits (typically 10%)
- No AOB (assignment of benefits) clause for insurance work
- Warranty terms — product and labor — written in the contract
- HOA or historic district approval secured if applicable
- Wind Mitigation Inspection scheduled post-install