How a Florida Property Insurance Claim Works, Start to Finish

When a storm, a burst pipe, or a fire damages your home, you expect your insurance to do its job. Most homeowners have never filed a large claim before, and the process can feel confusing fast. This guide walks through what is usually covered, how to tell whether you have a claim, and what happens at each step.

In this article

What kinds of damage are usually covered

Every policy is different, so your own policy language always controls. That said, most Florida homeowners policies cover some version of the following:

• Wind and hurricane damage, often subject to a separate hurricane deductible

• Hail and other storm damage

• Sudden water damage from inside the home, such as a burst supply line or a failed appliance

• Fire and smoke damage

• Theft and vandalism

Flooding from rising surface water is a different matter. Standard homeowners policies generally exclude it, and flood coverage usually comes from a separate flood policy. Many policies also limit coverage for water damage that happens slowly over time, or cap it at a set amount.

Three signs you likely have a valid claim

Insurers look at three basic questions. If you can answer yes to each, your claim is worth pursuing.

1. Was the cause a covered peril? The damage must come from an event your policy covers, and not from something it excludes, such as wear and tear.

2. Did you report it on time? Florida generally requires notice of a new or reopened claim within one year of the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months (section 627.70132, Florida Statutes). Your policy may also require "prompt" notice, which can be shorter.

3. Can you show the damage? Clear photos, video, receipts, and repair estimates make a claim far harder to dispute.

A "no" on any of these does not always end the claim. It does mean you should get advice before you accept a denial.

Step 1: Make the home safe and stop further damage

Your safety comes first. Once it is safe, most policies require you to take reasonable steps to protect the property from more damage.

That may mean tarping a roof, shutting off the water, or boarding a window. Keep every receipt for this work, because reasonable mitigation costs are often reimbursable.

Step 2: Report the claim and keep notes

Call your insurer or file online as soon as you can. Have your policy number ready, and write down your claim number.

Keep a simple log of every contact. Note the date, the time, the name of the person you spoke with, and what was said. Follow up important calls with a short email so there is a written record.

Step 3: Document everything

Before anything is thrown away or repaired, photograph and video every affected room, from wide shots to close-ups. Capture the outside of the home too, including the roof if you can do it safely.

Make an inventory of damaged belongings with approximate age and value. Save receipts for repairs, temporary housing, and other added costs.

Step 4: Prepare for the inspection

The insurer will usually send an adjuster to inspect the property. Be present if you can, walk the adjuster through every area of damage, and point out anything that is easy to miss.

You are allowed to get your own estimate from a licensed contractor. An independent estimate gives you something to compare against the insurer's number.

Step 5: Respond to requests for information

Your policy lists "duties after loss." These often include providing documents, showing the damaged property, and sometimes giving a sworn proof of loss or a recorded statement. The timing for these comes from your policy, so read it carefully or ask the adjuster for the deadline in writing.

Respond on time and keep copies of everything you send. Missing a policy duty is a common reason insurers give for denying or reducing a claim.

Step 6: Receive the insurer's decision

Florida law sets time limits for insurers. Generally, the insurer must acknowledge your claim within 7 calendar days, begin investigating within 7 days after receiving proof-of-loss statements, and pay or deny the claim within 60 days after receiving notice of it (section 627.70131, Florida Statutes). If those deadlines pass with no decision, that is worth raising in writing.

The decision may be full payment, partial payment, or denial. Read any denial or partial-payment letter closely, because it should state the reasons and the policy language the insurer relied on.

Step 7: If more damage turns up

Hidden damage often appears once repairs begin, especially with roofs and water losses. You may be able to file a supplemental claim for the added damage, within the time limits noted above.

When to get legal advice

Consider talking to a lawyer if your claim is denied, the payment will not cover the repairs, or the insurer keeps delaying without a clear reason. Florida also requires a written notice of intent to sue, filed through the Department of Financial Services at least 10 business days before a homeowner can sue an insurer (section 627.70152, Florida Statutes). Recent reforms also ended the statutory right homeowners once had to recover attorney's fees when they won a suit against their property insurer (section 627.428(4), Florida Statutes), which makes early, careful planning more important.

Kimberly Innocent spent years defending insurance companies before representing policyholders. That background helps her see a claim the way the insurer will, and spot problems before they become reasons to deny.

A claim goes more smoothly when you report early, document well, and keep a paper trail. Do not assume the insurer's first answer is the final one. If your insurer has delayed, underpaid, or denied your claim, request a free claim review or call (954) 903-1737.

About the author. Kimberly Innocent is a Florida attorney who represents homeowners in first-party property insurance disputes, including hurricane, wind, water, and roof damage claims. She has practiced law since 2015 and has focused her practice on insurance litigation for over a decade.

This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every policy and claim is different; consult a lawyer about your specific situation.