Florida homes face wind, rain, and hurricane seasons that strain roofs, windows, and siding, so smart handling of storm damage insurance claims protects both property and budget. Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. is ready to ensure you receive fair treatment, so please get in touch for a free consultation. In the meantime, here are 10 critical steps to take that will help protect your claim.
#1 – Confirm Coverage And Deductibles
Read your homeowner policy’s declarations page and note any hurricane or windstorm deductible. Coverage limits, exclusions, and special conditions will shape every later decision. Clarify whether the policy includes ordinance or law coverage, water damage insurance caps, and additional living expenses.
#2 – Set A Damage Baseline
Walk through each room and the exterior with a phone or camera and narrate what you see. Date the files and keep them in a single folder to preserve a clean timeline. Capture wide shots, then zoom in on shingles, soffits, windows, ceilings, and flooring. Keep a simple index to find each picture during estimate reviews.
#3 – Prevent Further Damage
Make reasonable, temporary repairs to stop leaks or intrusion and save all receipts. Florida carriers expect loss mitigation that is proportional to the problem. Tarping, board-ups, and dehumidifiers are often considered reasonable steps when water intrusion threatens interior finishes. Photograph each temporary measure before and after installation.
#4 – Give Prompt Written Notice
Report the claim through the carrier’s portal or email, ask for the claim number, and request any required forms. Early notice preserves your one-year window under Florida law. Provide the date of loss, a brief description of damage, and contact information for access to the property. Save a copy of the submission confirmation for your file.
#5 – Track Every Contact
Keep a simple log with dates, names, and summaries of calls or emails. Organized files speed reviews and reduce disputes about what was said. Note promised deadlines, inspection dates, and document requests. Consistent tracking reduces confusion if adjusters or desk examiners change.
#6 – Collect Licensed Estimates
Obtain estimates from licensed professionals. Detailed scopes (materials, quantities, code items) make it easier to challenge an adjuster’s low numbers. Ensure your estimates break out labor, materials, permits, and code upgrades, and account for depreciation. Comparable scopes help you identify true pricing differences rather than scope gaps.
#7- Complete Proof-of-Loss Requests Accurately
Provide photos, invoices, and estimates that match your description of damage. A lawyer will later rely on consistent documentation to support payment and interest. Confirm that the totals align with your scope-of-work statements, and that the room names match your photo labels. Number every attachment so the carrier can follow your story.
#8 – Attend the Inspection
Walk the insurance adjuster through each damaged area, ask for the adjuster’s Florida license number, and note any measurements or moisture readings taken. Provide access to attics, crawl spaces, and panels that reveal hidden damage. Request copies of any on-site moisture or thermal readings, as those data points often support interior repairs.
#9 – Compare Estimates and Challenge Gaps
Ask for the carrier’s written estimate and line it up against your scopes. Request revisions when trades, code upgrades, or permits appear to be missing; carriers must provide a clear written basis for any partial denial. Flag discrepancies in quantities, roof squares, underlayment, or window units.
#10 – Comply with Insurer’s Request for Information and Documentation
Once you’ve filed your storm-damage claim in Florida, it’s crucial to promptly respond to your insurer’s requests for additional information and documentation. Under Florida Statute § 627.70131, your insurer may pause key time limits if you fail to provide “material claims information” within 10 days of their request. Providing clear photos, receipts, repair estimates, proofs of loss, and detailed descriptions not only keeps your claim moving forward but also ensures you remain eligible for the full policy benefits. Remember: withholding documents or delaying responses can hinder the investigation and even give the insurer a legal basis to deny or delay payment.
Contact Kuhn Raslavich Attorneys, P.A. for Your Storm Damage Insurance Claims
Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. focuses on Florida property insurance disputes and will build a disciplined record around policy language, construction scopes, and statutory deadlines. If needed, we will proceed to litigation when the claim file shows that the carrier failed to follow Florida law. Put our experience in storm damage insurance claims to work for you by calling 877-352-7767 or using our online form for a free case review.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ):
What should I do immediately after storm damage to my home?
Immediately confirm your insurance coverage, document all damage with photos and videos, and make temporary repairs to prevent further damage, keeping all receipts.
How do I file a storm damage insurance claim?
Report the claim promptly to your carrier in writing, obtain a claim number, and provide a brief description of the damage and your contact information.
What should I do during the insurance inspection?
Attend the inspection, walk the adjuster through all damaged areas, provide access to hidden damage, and request copies of any readings taken.