About Us
Floridians deserve a reliable, customer-focused homeowners insurance company that is committed to protecting Florida families and homes.
Our founder, Locke Burt, was serving in the Florida Senate in 1992 when one of the worst U.S. natural disasters roared through South Florida: Hurricane Andrew. Locke witnessed the devastation first hand when he traveled to Homestead, Florida. Andrew left behind more than $26 billion in insured losses in 2012 dollars. The state was unprepared, and Florida’s homeowners insurance market quickly deteriorated into a state of crisis.
With a family history in insurance dating back to 1918, Locke was instrumental in helping Florida navigate its way out from under the rubble of a collapsing insurance market. He counseled state leaders and helped create a viable, healthy private homeowners insurance market where Floridians were provided more options and sound insurance protection. This is critical for residents: the Sunshine State has more property and people exposed to hurricanes than any other state in the U.S.
From a storm—a vision transpired.
Soon after serving as a Florida Senator, Locke met his business partner, Harry Bleiwise. One year later on April 5, 2005, Florida-based Security First Insurance Company opened its doors. Locke’s experience and keen understanding of Florida’s inherent vulnerability to natural disasters helped shape his vision for his new company— to create an organization that maintains an unwavering commitment to Florida. To us, that commitment means:
- Listening intently to customers and being there for them — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
- Having the financial strength to withstand multiple hurricanes in a single year
- Offering exceptional service and solid insurance protection
- Acquiring and retaining talented, compassionate, and forward-thinking employees who understand Florida
- Managing growth and maintaining focus on Florida’s residential property market
- Leading the industry in the development of industry-first systems that empower customers and provide an incomparable convenience
- Leveraging emerging technology and staying innovative
- Giving back and supporting organizations that help Florida families and communities
Today, Locke Burt continues to lead our company with this same vision. As a result, Security First Insurance Company is now the 3rd largest Personal and Residential Insurance Company in the state. We serve nearly 170,000 Floridians.
In 2009, we were the first homeowners insurance specialist in the U.S. to develop an iPhone app. We expanded operations in 2010 and brought customer and agency services in-house to our corporate office in Ormond Beach, Florida. In 2011, Security First Insurance partnered with Enservio and developed My Choice Home Protection, the industry’s first system designed to help customers evaluate and determine a more accurate amount of personal property coverage. On June 1, 2012, we enhanced our iPhone app, making it the nation’s first all-inclusive homeowners insurance app.
Security First Insurance has one of the most comprehensive reinsurance programs in the state. Based on our exposure, our protection provides us with enough reinsurance to withstand a hurricane four times the cost of Hurricane Andrew. Our multiple event protection allows us to withstand another 2004 hurricane season with four storms and still continue to grow our business.
Our promise to you is that we will remain committed to Florida. We will stand by our values and continue to offer the best possible service—whenever and wherever you need us.
