Storm Damage Restoration in Central Florida

Can't find a restoration company after a hurricane in Central Florida?

After a hurricane, restoration companies across Central Florida can be booked for days, so ask each one for a firm arrival time. While you wait, cover openings if it's safe, remove standing water you can reach, photograph everything and report the claim. Call or text CFDR at 321-420-7274: Ryan matches homes within about 90 minutes of Orlando with a restoration company from CFDR's network.

Within about 90 minutes of Orlando: Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Volusia, Polk, Brevard, Sumter and Marion counties. Large losses elsewhere in Florida: call to ask. Outside these counties, call about large commercial, multi-unit or whole-home losses.

What can I do myself in the first 48 hours without hurting my claim?

• Tarp or board up openings, but don't climb a wet roof (see emergency roof tarping).
• Get standing water out and air moving; the EPA advises drying water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold (EPA guide).
• Photograph first and keep every receipt. Florida's Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights advises: “Make and document emergency repairs that are necessary to prevent further damage. Keep the damaged property, if feasible, keep all receipts…” (s. 627.7142).
• Never run a generator indoors or in a garage.

Do I have to use my insurance company's preferred contractor?

Advisory 2 of the Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights (s. 627.7142) calls preferred vendors “optional”, subject to any managed-repair provisions in your policy, so read your policy and ask your insurer before you sign a repair contract. Citizens' Managed Repair Program covers water damage “not caused by weather” (Citizens FAQ a_id 3935), so its non-weather water limit is not a hurricane-loss rule.

My insurer's vendor hasn't shown up. What now?

Call your insurer back and ask for a firm arrival time, in writing if you can, and note every call. Keep preventing further damage and keep the receipts (s. 627.7142, advisory 3). Citizens policyholders in its managed-repair program should ask Citizens before hiring anyone else, because declining the program changes your limits (Citizens FAQs a_id 3930 and 3964). Otherwise, CFDR can match you with a restoration company: 321-420-7274.

How do I spot a storm chaser or unlicensed contractor?

• The Florida CFO's red flags include offers to “waive or discount your insurance deductible”, “cash-only” deals and contractors who “stopped responding” (CFO release).
• Rebates, gifts and deductible waivers for roof inspections or roof claims are prohibited (s. 489.147(2)(b)).
• An assignment of benefits is void for policies issued on or after January 1, 2023 (s. 627.7152(13)).
• A roof repair or replacement contract signed within 180 days of a Governor-declared emergency, for a home in the declared area, can be cancelled without penalty within 10 days after signing or by the official start date, whichever comes first (s. 489.147(6)(a)).
• Verify a license at myfloridalicense.com.
• Report suspected fraud: tip line 1-800-378-0445; DFS helpline 1-877-693-5236 (both listed in the CFO release).

What are the claim deadlines after a hurricane?

One year from landfall for a new or reopened claim and 18 months for a supplemental claim; details below and in the Florida insurance claim guide.

Roof leaking during a storm: who do I call in Orlando?

Stay off a wet roof. Move belongings away from the leak, catch drips, and photograph the damage from inside. Then call or text CFDR at 321-420-7274 and Ryan matches you with a storm restoration company; ask whether it tarps or uses a roofer. Ask the matched company for its arrival time before you agree to anything. Details: emergency roof tarping.

How long do I have to file a hurricane claim in Florida?

• One year from the date of landfall for a new or reopened claim, and 18 months for a supplemental claim (s. 627.70132(2)-(3)).
• Report damage that falls below your hurricane deductible so it counts toward the calendar-year deductible (s. 627.701(5)(a)3).
• Full walkthrough: Florida insurance claim guide.

How does the Florida hurricane deductible work?

Florida allows a flat-dollar hurricane deductible option and options of 2%, 5% and 10% (s. 627.701(3)(a)), applied once per calendar year ((5)(a)). Your insurer confirms what applies to your policy.

Is it flood or wind damage?

Florida's hurricane-coverage definition includes interior rain damage only if the windstorm first damages the building and creates an opening (s. 627.4025(2)(a)). Flood is excluded from homeowners policies (s. 627.7011(4)(b)). Your policy decides what's covered.

Your matched company documents the loss for your claim and writes a line-item Xactimate estimate. Coverage and settlement decisions stay between you and your insurer. A photographed entry point (the torn shingles, the broken window) is the simplest way to show the water came in through a wind-made opening.

Planning ahead? See the hurricane preparation guide.

Why use a local company after a storm?

A company based nearby can usually reach you sooner and knows your county's permitting, but after a hurricane every company is stretched, local or not. Whoever you choose, get four things before work starts: a firm arrival time, a Florida license number where the work requires one, proof of insurance, and a written scope and price. How to check any restoration company →

Ask the matched company for its arrival time before you agree to anything.