Hurricane damage claim — Florida immediate action rules
- Tarp the roof and board up windows before the adjuster arrives — your policy requires you to protect the property from further damage; failing to do so can reduce your claim.
- Photograph and video all damage before any cleanup — time-stamped photos are your claim record; take more than you think you need.
- Call CFDR at 321-420-7274 — emergency tarping and board-up are covered services; document the mitigation from Day 1 for your ALE and mitigation claim.
- Report the claim to your insurer and get a claim number — don't wait for the storm to fully pass; report as soon as safe access is available.
- Track your additional living expenses (ALE) receipts from Day 1 — hotel, food, storage, pet boarding all count; ALE coverage typically begins when the property is declared uninhabitable.
- Do not sign any proof of loss or settlement agreement that closes the claim until you have a contractor's estimate confirming the full scope of repairs.
- Register with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov if a presidential disaster declaration covers your county — FEMA IA can supplement what insurance doesn't cover.
Florida hurricane damage insurance claim — the complete guide.
Hurricane deductible, covered vs. excluded damage, Florida claim timelines, documentation requirements, and what to do when Citizens or a private carrier underpays. Everything Florida homeowners need to navigate a hurricane claim.
Florida hurricane claim — step by step.
Tarp damaged roof areas, board up broken windows, and extract standing water before the adjuster arrives. This is required by your policy's 'duties after loss' provision. Keep all receipts — emergency mitigation costs are covered under your policy.
Photograph and video every damaged area, every damaged item, and every damage to the structure before any repairs or cleanup. Include a frame of the whole room + close-ups of specific damage. These photos are your claim record — the adjuster will not take as many photos as you need.
Call your insurer and report the claim. Get a claim number. Ask for the adjuster's name and contact information when assigned. Note the date and time you reported. After major hurricane events, expect 2–6 weeks for adjuster assignment — don't wait to begin mitigation.
Contact a licensed Florida contractor for a professional estimate using Xactimate. This gives you a baseline to compare against the adjuster's scope. If the adjuster's estimate is significantly lower, the contractor's estimate is the basis for your supplemental claim.
When the adjuster's estimate arrives, compare it line by line against the contractor's estimate. Common omissions: antimicrobial treatment, equipment monitoring fees, O&P on multi-trade jobs, ALE period, matching materials for partial surface repairs. Request explanation for any items that differ significantly.
Florida law (FL Stat. 627.70132) requires a signed proof of loss within 60 days of the loss. Read the proof of loss carefully before signing — signing a proof of loss that closes the claim waives your right to further recovery. If the claim isn't fully resolved, consider submitting an initial proof of loss while reserving your right to supplement.
If the insurer's settlement is significantly lower than the contractor's estimate, escalate: supplemental claim → DFS mediation → appraisal clause → public adjuster → bad faith action. Each step is available under Florida law. Don't accept an underpaid settlement as final.
What Florida homeowners insurance covers — and doesn't cover — after a hurricane.
- ✓Wind damage to roof, siding, windows, and exterior
- ✓Rain entering through a wind-created opening
- ✓Fallen tree or debris that damages the structure
- ✓Interior damage caused by rain through a storm-opened breach
- ✓Emergency mitigation: tarping, board-up, water extraction
- ✓Additional living expenses (ALE) if home is uninhabitable
- ✓Detached structures (garage, shed) under Coverage B
- ✗Storm surge — rising water from the ocean or bay (NFIP only)
- ✗Flooding from overflowing rivers, lakes, or retention ponds
- ✗Rain damage through pre-existing openings not caused by the storm
- ✗Mold from slow leaks that pre-date the hurricane
- ✗Underground pipe failures unrelated to wind
- ✗Vehicles (auto insurance covers vehicles, not homeowners)
- ✗Landscaping damage — trees, shrubs, fencing (often excluded or sublimited)
Florida hurricane damage claims — your questions answered.
How does the Florida hurricane deductible work?+
The Florida hurricane deductible is a separate, higher deductible that applies specifically to hurricane-caused damage. Unlike the standard all-peril deductible (a fixed dollar amount like $1,000–$5,000), the hurricane deductible is typically a percentage of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A) — commonly 2%, 5%, or 10%. On a $350,000 home with a 5% hurricane deductible, your out-of-pocket before insurance pays is $17,500. The hurricane deductible triggers when the National Hurricane Center (NHC) officially designates a named storm at the time of loss in Florida. Tropical storms and unnamed weather events use the standard deductible. The hurricane deductible applies once per hurricane season, not per storm — if you had two qualifying hurricane losses in the same season, you may only pay the hurricane deductible once.
What hurricane damage is covered vs. excluded under Florida homeowners insurance?+
Covered by Florida HO-3 hurricane claims: wind damage to the roof, siding, windows, and exterior walls; rain entering through wind-created openings (a hole the storm made); interior damage caused by wind-driven rain through the opening; fallen trees or debris that damage the structure; additional living expenses (ALE) if the home is uninhabitable. NOT covered by HO-3 hurricane claims: storm surge (requires NFIP or private flood insurance); flooding from rising water or overflowing bodies of water; rain damage through pre-existing openings that weren't caused by the storm; mold that developed from slow leaks before the hurricane; underground pipe failures. The most common hurricane claim dispute is whether interior water damage came through a wind-created opening (covered) or through a pre-existing condition or ground flooding (excluded).
What are the Florida insurance claim timelines after a hurricane?+
Florida insurance claim timelines after a hurricane are governed by FL Stat. 627.70131: (1) You must report the claim promptly — most policies require notification within a reasonable time after discovery; (2) The insurer must acknowledge the claim within 14 days of receiving notice; (3) The insurer must begin investigation within 14 days of receiving proof of loss; (4) The insurer must pay or deny within 90 days of receiving a complete proof of loss under normal circumstances; (5) During a declared state of emergency after a hurricane, the timelines may be extended; (6) The proof of loss form is typically due within 60 days of the loss (FL Stat. 627.70132) — missing this deadline can affect your claim. After major hurricane events, the system is overwhelmed — document everything and be prepared to follow up aggressively.
What documentation do I need for a Florida hurricane damage insurance claim?+
Documentation for a Florida hurricane damage claim: (1) Pre-storm photographs or video if available — many Florida homeowners document their property before hurricane season; (2) Date and time-stamped photos and video of all damage taken immediately after the storm; (3) A written list of all damaged property (structure and contents) with estimated values; (4) Contractor's inspection report and Xactimate estimate documenting the cause of each damage item; (5) Emergency mitigation receipts — tarping, board-up, water extraction performed immediately after the storm; (6) Receipts for ALE expenses — hotel, food, storage during displacement; (7) Proof of the storm event — NHC track data, local news reports, wind speed records for your zip code; (8) The complete contents inventory for any personal property damaged. Start the file from Day 1 — don't wait for the adjuster to tell you what to collect.
What do I do if Citizens or my Florida insurer underpays or delays my hurricane claim?+
If your Florida hurricane claim is underpaid or the insurer is unresponsive, you have several options: (1) Submit a supplemental claim with additional documentation — contractor estimates, photos of hidden damage discovered during repairs; (2) Request DFS mediation under FL Stat. 627.7015 — the Florida Department of Financial Services offers free/low-cost mediation for personal lines claims; (3) Invoke the appraisal clause for amount-of-loss disputes — both sides appoint appraisers, and agreement of two of three parties (including an umpire) is binding; (4) Hire a licensed Florida public adjuster — PA fees are capped at 20% of recovery; especially useful for large or complex hurricane claims; (5) File a bad faith complaint via Civil Remedy Notice (FL Stat. 624.155) if the insurer has acted in bad faith — the insurer has 60 days to cure the violation. Florida's hurricane claims process is adversarial by nature — document everything and escalate if the adjuster's scope is significantly lower than your contractor's.
Hurricane damage in Central Florida? Ryan coordinates the full claim — emergency mitigation, Xactimate scope, and insurer communication.
IICRC-certified crews available 24/7. Full Xactimate documentation for your homeowners carrier and NFIP adjuster from Day 1.