Florida homeowners face intense wind, rain, and hail. Getting made whole after a storm takes clear proof, careful timing, and knowledge of how insurers must handle storm damage claims. You can improve outcomes by understanding the rules that govern your claim and by building strong evidence from day one. If you want to get the highest storm damage roof compensation, guidance from Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. can help move your claim forward.
Payouts turn on three things: coverage, causation, and cost. Coverage depends on your policy language. Causation links the loss to a covered peril. Cost requires accurate pricing for labor, materials, code upgrades, and overhead. We know how Florida deadlines, statutes, and building codes affect those elements, and we will negotiate from a position of strength.
Remember Florida Deadlines
Florida law requires insurers to promptly acknowledge communications. They have no more than 60 days to deny or pay a property claim after receiving notice. That timeline can be extended if factors outside the insurer’s control prevent a decision. Recent reforms also shortened the window to report many property claims, so homeowners should give notice as soon as practical and keep written proof of that notice. Late reporting often leads to disputes over whether the storm, wear and tear, or prior issues caused the loss.
Document Damage and Prove Causation
Your goal is to show what the roof looked like before the storm, what changed, and the cost to restore the property to its pre-loss condition. Side-by-side photos, dated invoices, and inspection notes make the story clear.
Helpful items include:
- Dated photos of the roof, attic, ceilings, and exterior elevations.
- Receipts for prior maintenance or repairs.
- Contractor or engineer reports that tie torn, lifted, or fractured materials to a specific storm event and explains why spot patching will not restore performance.
Insurers often argue that depreciation or maintenance caused the condition. Independent assessments that address age, brittleness, and manufacturer specifications can rebut that view. When a report explains why tiles or shingles cannot be salvaged without voiding warranties, settlement discussions often become more productive.
Use Estimates, Codes, and Matching Rules to Value the Roof
Get a damage estimate from a reputable roofing company. This estimate should reflect current local pricing, steep-slope or tile complexity, underlayment type, flashing replacement, and overhead and profit where multiple trades are involved.
If your policy includes law-and-ordinance coverage, any upgrades you need might be covered. Florida’s building code and permit requirements may push a repair into partial or full replacement, and insurers should price that scope when coverage applies.
Hire an Experienced Attorney
Complex disputes often arise over causation, scope, and pricing. A homeowner may decide to consult a lawyer when the carrier withholds depreciation without cause, demands unnecessary re-inspections, or ignores clear code-driven work. An attorney will map the evidence to policy provisions and will frame communications to preserve your rights under Florida law.
Escalation, appraisal, or litigation may become necessary if negotiations stall. A seasoned attorney at Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. will outline options, including appraisal, mediation, or a breach-of-contract action. If necessary, we will coordinate with roof experts, engineers, and credible estimators to strengthen your case. A clear strategy, consistent updates, and a focused use of third-party reports will help move the file toward a fair check.
We’re Ready to Help You Maximize Your Storm Damage Roof Compensation
Homeowners who keep tight records, rely on qualified assessments, and use the right dispute tools tend to recover more of what the policy promises. If the claim remains underpaid, a lawyer with Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. will set expectations, plan the next steps, and pursue storm damage roof compensation with a clear record. Call 877-352-7767 or use our online form for a free case evaluation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ):
What kind of roof damage is covered by home insurance?
Home insurance typically covers roof damage caused by extreme weather events like strong winds and hail, as long as it’s a covered peril in your policy. This can include missing, sliding, or lifted shingles, hail dents, cracked tiles, or damage from falling tree limbs.
How can I tell if my roof has storm damage?
To identify storm damage, look for missing, sliding, or lifted shingles, and dents on shingles, vents, and other soft metals, especially after a strong storm. Documenting these changes with dated photos is crucial.
Should I hire an attorney for my storm damage roof claim?
Hiring an experienced attorney can be beneficial for complex disputes involving causation, scope, and pricing, or if your insurer withholds depreciation without cause, demands unnecessary re-inspections, or ignores code-driven work. An attorney can help strengthen your case and navigate escalation, appraisal, or litigation.