Storm Damage & Insurance Claims
Your claim, your deadlines, your rights — in plain English. We document the damage thoroughly before the adjuster arrives.
Before the adjuster arrives
Insurance pays for what's documented. After any storm:
- Photograph everything — roof from the ground, interior leaks and stains, damaged belongings. Timestamped phone photos are fine.
- Mitigate further damage — tarp the roof, move valuables. Insurers expect this, and it doesn't hurt your claim.
- Get our assessment first. We inspect, photograph, and write up the damage tied to the storm — an independent professional record of what happened.
- Then file. You'll file with facts in hand instead of discovering the damage during the adjuster's visit.
The deadlines that actually matter
- 1 year to file an initial or reopened claim after the storm (§627.70132).
- 18 months for supplemental claims.
- 60 days for your insurer to pay or deny once they have your proof of loss (§627.70131).
- 2 years to file a lawsuit if it comes to that (HB 837).
Miss the first two and the claim is gone regardless of merit. When in doubt, file early. Our Florida roof insurance claims guide walks through the whole process step by step.
What your policy probably says (that surprises people)
Hurricane deductibles. Most Florida policies carry a hurricane deductible of 2%, 5%, or even 10% of your dwelling coverage — not a flat $1,000. On a $400,000 home, a 2% deductible is $8,000. It applies once per calendar year.
Replacement cost vs. actual cash value. Many policies pay roofs at replacement cost — but some flip to actual cash value (depreciated) once the roof passes ~10 years. A 12-year-old shingle roof at 48% depreciation means a much smaller check than the replacement bid. Read your Loss Settlement clause now, not after the storm.
Assignment of benefits (AOB). For Florida policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2023, you cannot sign away your claim rights to a contractor — those assignments are void. Anyone asking you to sign an AOB is asking you to sign something the law won't enforce. We will never ask.
How we help — and what we won't do
We document damage, explain your deadlines and options in plain English, and do the work to the standard your insurer expects. What we won't do: pressure you to file a claim, promise a "free roof," or represent you with your insurer. Your claim is yours — we just make sure it's built on solid documentation.
Think you have storm damage? Call (754) 240-2335. We'll inspect, document, and give you an honest read — including whether a claim makes sense given your deductible — before you file anything.
Will filing a claim raise my rates?
A: Possibly, but Florida's 15-year rule (§627.7011) limits what insurers can do based on roof age alone. The math that matters: is the covered damage well above your hurricane deductible? We'll help you think it through before you file.
The adjuster said it's "wear and tear." What now?
A: Wear and tear isn't covered; sudden storm damage is. This is exactly why pre-adjuster documentation matters — our dated photo assessment of storm-created damage (lifted shingles, impact marks, fresh flashing displacement) is your counter-evidence. You can also request reinspection or hire a public adjuster.
Should I get three contractor bids for the insurance company?
A: Your insurer will write their own estimate. Our job is documenting the damage and then doing the work to code — not outbidding anyone. Be wary of anyone who prices to the insurance estimate rather than to the work.
What is My Safe Florida Home?
A: A state program offering free wind inspections and up to $10,000 in matching grants for hardening — including roof-related improvements like secondary water resistance and roof-to-wall reinforcement. Worth checking if you're hardening an older home.
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