Experienced Roof Damage Claim Attorneys Serving Orlando and Central Florida
A roof claim should be straightforward and fair: damage occurs, a report is filed, and repairs or replacement follow. Unfortunately, policyholders must sometimes call on an Orlando roof damage claim attorney due to an insurance company’s actions – or lack of action.
Good claim handling involves rules that most policyholders never see until there is a problem. Reporting deadlines, pre-suit notice requirements, and proof-of-loss requests can affect what happens next, even when the damage is obvious.
When you turn to Kuhn Raslavich, P.A., we will focus on building a claim file that is hard to dismiss. A dedicated lawyer from our firm will review the policy language, track what the insurer has requested, and push for written explanations when the carrier pays less than the damage warrants.
What Florida Policies Usually Cover and What They Exclude
Most homeowner’s policies cover “sudden and accidental” direct physical loss, subject to deductibles, limits, and exclusions. Wind damage, hail impacts, and storm-created openings that allow rain inside often fall into the covered-loss conversation, while long-term deterioration often becomes the insurer’s favorite defense.
Coverage arguments can also turn on how the loss is described and documented. A storm may not “take the whole roof off,” yet it can still cause punctures, uplift, broken seals, or displaced components that allow water to enter. Damage patterns, weather timing, and repair scope matter because the carrier will compare your report to its adjuster’s notes and photos.
A useful way to think about coverage is to separate “cause of loss” from “scope of repair.” Florida law addresses scope questions in matching situations, requiring insurers in many settings to make reasonable repairs or replacement in adjoining areas when replaced items do not match in quality, color, or size.
Common roof-claim issues that often drive disputes include:
- Wind or hail damage that is hard to spot from the ground.
- Leaks that show up days later in ceilings or walls.
- Limited repair offers that do not address the surrounding, connected areas.
- Deductible confusion, especially after a named storm.
- “Wear and tear” arguments used to shrink a storm claim into a maintenance issue.
Florida Deadlines and Pre-Suit Steps for Roof Claims
Deadlines shape roof claims in Florida more than most people expect. State law sets a one-year deadline for giving notice for an initial or reopened property insurance claim, and an 18-month deadline for supplemental claims. Deadlines run from the date of loss. Lawsuits have their own clock. Florida’s limitations statute provides five years for an action for breach of a property insurance contract, running from the date of loss.
A separate pre-suit step can also apply. Florida law requires a written notice of intent to initiate litigation, sent through the Florida Department of Financial Services, at least 10 business days before filing a property-insurance lawsuit, and the insurer must respond within 10 business days after receiving that notice.
Missing a notice window can give the insurer a powerful defense, even when the roof clearly needs major work. Careful planning with a skilled attorney helps keep the claim on track and preserve your options if the carrier refuses to pay fairly.
How Insurance Companies Evaluate Roof Damage
Insurance companies use adjuster inspections, photos, measurements, and estimating software to price roof losses. Their file will usually focus on the carrier’s chosen cause of loss, the number of “damaged” components, and whether repairs can be limited to a small section.
Florida law also sets timing duties once a claim is reported. An insurer generally must acknowledge claim communications within seven calendar days, and it must pay or deny an initial claim (or a portion of it) within 60 days after receiving notice, unless factors beyond its control apply.
A claim can still drag on in the real world, especially after widespread storms, but those time rules matter because they shape the insurer’s obligations and the pressure points in a dispute. A focused lawyer will often ask for the written basis of any partial denial and compare the carrier’s estimate to the full scope that the property needs.
Documents That Strengthen a Roof Claim
Solid documentation prevents confusion and reduces the insurer’s ability to change the story later. The goal is not volume for its own sake; the goal is a clear record that shows when damage occurred, how it progressed, and what the repairs reasonably cost.
Records also help with matching and scope arguments. A roof system is connected, and repair decisions can affect adjoining areas, underlayment, flashing, vents, and interior finishes. When the file shows consistent damage patterns and consistent pricing, it becomes harder for the carrier to claim the loss is minor or unrelated.
Policy Declarations Page, Provisions, and Endorsements
The full policy declarations page, policy provisions, and any endorsements often determine which coverage applies, which deductible applies, and which special limits or exclusions affect the roof. Keeping these pages together helps you point to the exact language the insurer will rely on when it evaluates the claim.
Photos and Videos Taken Over Time
Photos and videos taken over time, not just on a single day, can show changes that a single inspection misses. A time-stamped record can also support the timeline of the loss and help explain why damage that looked small at first became more visible later.
Repair Estimates With Materials and Labor
Repair estimates that break out materials and labor make it easier to compare the scope of work to the insurer’s numbers. Clear line items can show whether a bid includes connected work, such as flashing, vents, underlayment, or interior repairs that follow a roof leak.
Receipts for Temporary Protection Work
Receipts for temporary protection work and related materials help show what was done to reduce ongoing loss. These receipts also create a paper trail that explains why certain costs appeared early, even before full repairs were completed.
Written Communications from the Insurer and Vendors
Written communications from the insurer, adjusters, and vendors reduce “he said, she said” disputes. Emails and letters can document what was requested, what was provided, and when the insurer issued instructions, set deadlines, or provided reasons for a partial payment or denial.
A careful review by an attorney will also look for gaps, such as missing dates, missing “proof-of-loss” responses, or unclear descriptions that invite denial. Closing those gaps early can prevent months of delay later.
Disputes, Appraisal, and When Litigation Starts
Disputes often center on price, scope, or the insurer’s stated cause of damage. Some policies include appraisal, a process designed to determine the amount of loss. However, coverage issues may remain in play depending on the dispute. A claim can also involve reinspections, engineer reports, or requests for additional paperwork.
Florida law requires pre-suit steps in many property-insurance lawsuits. These steps include a notice of intent to litigate and a time period for the insurer to respond or propose alternatives, such as appraisal or other dispute-resolution methods.
Litigation is not always necessary, but it should remain a real option when the carrier will not pay what the policy promises. Working with a lawyer will keep deadlines straight and put the insurer’s positions in writing, which can matter if a judge later reviews what happened.
Why Policyholders Choose Kuhn Raslavich
Kuhn Raslavich approaches roof damage claims as a process, not a guessing game. Our work will start with the policy, the loss timeline, and the insurer’s communications, then move to building a clear record that supports the scope and value of the claim.
Many people feel overwhelmed because the insurer sets the pace and controls the forms. Our team will take over the pressure points: documenting the claim file, responding to requests, pushing for timely claim decisions, and challenging low estimates with real support.
When a dispute grows, strategy matters. An attorney from Kuhn Raslavich will prepare the claim as if it may be challenged from every angle, so your position stays consistent whether the next step becomes appraisal, negotiation, or a lawsuit that follows Florida’s pre-suit requirements.
Learn More By Scheduling a Free Case Review
Roof damage can get worse while a claim drags on, and delays can also limit your legal options under Florida’s notice and presuit rules. If you want a clear plan and steady follow-through, reach out to Kuhn Raslavich today to speak with an Orlando roof damage claim attorney. We will review the policy, take control of communications, and pursue the full benefits your coverage is supposed to provide. You can schedule your free case evaluation by contacting us online or calling 407-501-4833.
How Kuhn Raslavich Builds Leverage in South Florida
Documentation wins claims. Kuhn Raslavich will gather pre-loss photos, permit histories, moisture readings, expert reports, and line-item estimates to tell a coherent story grounded in the policy’s language. Our team can convert that story into a demand that anticipates the carrier’s pushbacks.
Process control creates pressure. Our firm will calendar statutory deadlines, request claim file notes when available, and maintain written follow-ups on a predictable schedule. We will tie every delay to the statute and remind the carrier of its obligations under Florida law.
Results come from preparation. When the file provides credible support for cause, scope, and price, carriers have fewer excuses to cut or delay payment. A prepared attorney with our firm will present that support at the appraisal or in court if negotiation fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the insurance company have to pay or deny my roof claim?
Florida law generally requires payment or denial within 60 days of the insurer’s receipt of notice of the claim, unless factors beyond its control apply.
Do I have to do anything before filing a lawsuit over a roof claim?
A pre-suit notice of intent is required in property-insurance cases, and it must be sent at least 10 business days before filing suit.
How long do I have to sue for breach of a property insurance contract in Florida?
Florida’s limitations statute includes a five-year period for breach of a property insurance contract, running from the date of loss.
Reasons To Call Kuhn Raslavich
If you have suffered property damage as a result of water damage, fire, hail, or hurricane, CALL KUHN RASLAVICH FIRST…not your insurance carrier. Kuhn Raslavich charges no fees unless you get paid! We will deal with the insurance company on your behalf so you do not have to worry about setting up a claim or getting paid adequately. As an illustration of why hiring Kuhn Raslavich would be beneficial, consider this common occurrence:
- A hurricane badly damages your home.
- You call your insurance carrier who sends out one of their own adjusters to estimate the amount of damage.
- You accept the amount estimated by the insurance carrier, not knowing that it is extremely undervalued because the insurance company is trying to pay the least amount possible to settle your claim.
- As a result, you do not have enough money to repair your home properly.
We will come to your home and estimate the true value of the damage, which is often much greater than what the insurance company has determined. We will then gather all necessary paperwork and submit the claim to your insurance company. Once submitted, we help you along step by step and negotiate the claim in an effort to maximize your recovery.
Since filing a homeowner’s insurance claim is not a common occurrence, many homeowners do not know where to start. Many believe that their insurance company works for them, and is looking out for their best interest; however, insurers DO NOT represent homeowners and ARE NOT looking out for their best interest. Insurers are FOR PROFIT CORPORATIONS that are trying to pay the least amount possible to resolve claims.