Navigating an insurance claim after a storm, plumbing break, or fire in Tampa can feel like a second job. Many policyholders only realize how much work is involved after a delayed payment, a lowball estimate, or a surprise denial. At that point, a Tampa first party insurance claims lawyer can feel like a lifeline rather than a luxury. 

First party claims are different from claims against another driver or another business because you are dealing with your own insurer under a contract. An insurance claim lawyer with Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. can give that contract real teeth by matching the policy language with Florida claim rules, deadlines, and dispute tools. When you work with us, we will do everything we can to ensure that you do not leave money on the table.

Understanding First Party Insurance Claims in Tampa

First party coverage applies when you seek benefits from your own policy for your own loss. In Tampa, this often means homeowners’ and commercial property policies that cover wind, hurricane, hail, plumbing leaks, fire, and mold. The claim still runs through your insurer’s adjuster, yet the duty to cooperate does not erase your right to be treated fairly.

Florida law treats these claims as contract matters, and the policy language matters as much as the statute. Declarations pages, exclusions, endorsements, and loss payment provisions all work together to decide what the carrier owes and when it must pay. An insurance claim lawyer will focus on that written language, gather repair estimates that match actual conditions, and push the carrier to honor the full scope of coverage you purchased rather than a narrow reading that favors its bottom line. 

Many families are unaware of the various aspects of a single property loss that can be covered under a single claim. Roof damage, interior water intrusion, flooring, cabinets, personal property, and even temporary housing can all play a role. Each category may require its own documentation, and the carrier may attempt to select weaker items first to reduce the overall payout. Clear records, photos, professional estimates, and mitigation invoices support a unified claim presentation that is hard to dismiss.

Key Deadlines and Claim Rules for Tampa Policyholders

Deadlines are critical in Florida first party property claims. State law now requires most policyholders to give notice of an initial or reopened property insurance claim within one year of the date of loss, and a supplemental claim must be reported within 18 months of the loss date. If you wait beyond those windows, the insurer can argue that the claim is barred, even if the damage is real. The clock usually starts on the day the storm or other covered event happened, not when you discover every last detail.

Property insurers must acknowledge communications about a claim within a short time. Generally, they must pay or deny an initial, reopened, or supplemental property claim within 60 days. The only exception is if an event beyond their control prevents the insurer from making a decision. 

When a carrier stalls without a lawful reason, interest may attach to late payments, and patterns of delay can support a later argument of bad faith. Your insurance claims attorney will track those deadlines during your Tampa claim and document every missed step by the carrier.

Policyholders also need to understand the notice and proof-of-loss duties outlined in the policy itself and they can be challenging to decipher. Most contracts require “prompt” notice, cooperation with inspections, and, in some cases, examinations under oath. 

Those conditions do not give the insurance company a free pass to ask for endless documents, yet they do matter. Careful timing, written responses, and control over what gets produced help keep the claim on track without sacrificing your rights.

Common Ways Insurers Undervalue First Party Claims

Undervaluation often starts with how the carrier scopes the damage. Adjusters may write estimates that use cheaper materials, outdated pricing, or incomplete repair methods. A first party insurance claim attorney will compare those numbers to contractor bids, industry pricing tools, and building code requirements in Tampa to show where the estimate falls short.

Denials and partial denials also arise from how the company labels the cause of loss. Florida policies often exclude wear and tear, rust, corrosion, and long-term leakage, while still covering sudden and accidental events. When a pipe breaks behind a wall and the insurer calls it “constant and repeated seepage” rather than a sudden failure, the label can decide whether thousands of dollars are covered. A legal representative with Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. can review documentation, such as reports from plumbers and experts, to challenge those characterizations.

Many Tampa policyholders also notice other patterns. Carriers may repeatedly request  documents they already received, stretching the process until the insured gives up. Alternatively, they might pay a small amount quickly and then treat the claim as closed when additional damage becomes apparent later. Each of these moves serves the same goal: lowering payouts. Florida’s claim-handling rules and the policy language give you tools to answer those tactics if you know where to look.

Florida Bad Faith Rules and Civil Remedy Notices

Insurers in Florida owe a duty to handle claims fairly and in good faith. When a company drags its feet, ignores clear evidence, or misuses policy language, that conduct can trigger Florida’s first party bad faith statute, found in section 624.155 of the Florida Statutes. The law does not punish every simple mistake. However, it does provide policyholders with a means to seek additional damages when a pattern of unfair treatment causes real harm.

Before filing a bad faith lawsuit, a policyholder must file a Civil Remedy Notice with the Florida Department of Financial Services using the state’s online system, then wait at least 60 days. That waiting period gives the insurer a last chance to correct its conduct and pay what it owes. If the company cures the violation within that window, a bad-faith action usually cannot move forward, although the underlying contract claim can still continue.

Understanding how the Civil Remedy process fits into your claim strategy matters. Many Tampa property owners file the notice only after a clear underpayment, a denial that ignores strong evidence, or repeated violation of statutory claim deadlines. A skilled insurance claims attorney will help decide whether a Civil Remedy Notice makes sense in your situation, identify the right violations, and tie those issues to the actual financial harm you suffered.

How Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. Supports Policyholders

Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. helps clients involved in property damage and insurance disputes throughout Florida. Our firm handles claims involving windstorm, hurricane, hail, water, plumbing, fire, and mold, along with other consumer and property matters. In Tampa, that coverage touches everything from coastal storm losses to inland plumbing failures and roof leaks after heavy summer storms.

Our case preparation begins with a review of policies and meticulous documentation. One of our insurance claims lawyers will review the declarations, endorsements, and exclusions, and align the estimates with the actual damage on the ground. We can also organize photos, inspections, and mitigation records into a package that makes the claim hard to ignore. When the carrier misapplies an exclusion or employs a narrow interpretation of the policy, we will respond with targeted letters that highlight specific clauses and statutes.

Dispute resolution tools matter as much as paperwork. Kuhn Raslavich, P.A  represents policyholders in negotiations, appraisals, and, when needed, lawsuits against insurers who refuse to pay fairly. We will press carriers on missed statutory deadlines, mishandled inspections, and unjustified low estimates, while you focus on rebuilding your home or business. For many Tampa families, offloading that burden to a dedicated team provides both financial and emotional relief during a stressful time. 

Let a Tampa First Party Insurance Claim Attorney With Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. Help Guide Your Next Steps

Future progress on your claim will depend on clear steps. An experienced legal professional with our firm will thoroughly review your policy. We will then compare your loss to your coverage, and explain which damages should fall under dwelling, personal property, additional living expense, or business interruption provisions. We will also comply with statutory timelines, respond to document requests, and challenge low estimates so that you are not left guessing about your rights.

Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. stands ready to guide Tampa policyholders through that process with a structured, client-focused approach. We will treat your claim as more than just a file number, align our legal strategy with your repair needs, and utilize Florida insurance law to advocate for fair payment from your own carrier. 

When insurance promises seem far away from the reality of your damaged home or business, working with a trusted Tampa first party insurance claim attorney gives you a voice in a system that often feels stacked against you. If you would like more information about how we can help, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our office. You can call Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. at 877-352-7767, today, or use our online form for a free consultation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a first party insurance claim?

It is when you seek benefits from your own insurance policy—such as a homeowners’ or commercial property policy—for your own loss, commonly covering damage from wind, hurricane, hail, fire, or plumbing leaks.

What are the key deadlines for a first party property claim in Florida?

Florida law generally requires policyholders to give notice of an initial or reopened claim within one year of the date of loss, and a supplemental claim must be reported within 18 months of the loss date. Insurers must generally pay or deny a claim within 60 days.

What does a first party insurance claims attorney do to fight low estimates?

An attorney will compare the insurer’s low estimates to actual contractor bids, industry pricing tools, and Tampa building code requirements to demonstrate where the carrier’s estimate falls short of the actual cost of repairs.