How the Florida Insurance Claim Process Works

Filing an insurance claim in Florida is straightforward in concept and tedious in practice. Here’s the process step by step.

Step 1: Confirm safety and document damage

Before contacting your insurer, make sure everyone is safe. Then document:

• Photos and video of all damage (wide and close-up).
• Cause of damage if visible (fallen tree, ripped roof, etc.).
• The condition before any cleanup or temporary repair.

Save everything to cloud storage so you can’t lose it.

Step 2: Notify your insurer

Call the claims line or use the carrier’s app. Most claims can be filed online or via phone. Have ready:

• Policy number
• Date and brief description of loss
• Photos / video if asked

You’ll be assigned a claim number and (usually) an adjuster.

Step 3: Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage

You have a duty to mitigate further damage. Examples: tarp a damaged roof, board up broken windows, remove standing water.

Keep all receipts — reasonable mitigation costs are reimbursable.

Do NOT make permanent repairs before the adjuster has inspected.

Step 4: Adjuster inspection

The adjuster (an employee of the insurer or an independent adjuster they hired) will inspect the damage in person or virtually, write a scope of work, and produce a damage estimate.

For property claims, this typically happens within 7-21 days. After major hurricanes, it can be 30-90 days because of claim volume.

Step 5: Settlement offer and your options

The insurer will issue a settlement offer based on the adjuster’s estimate.

If you agree:

• Accept the offer.
• Insurer pays you (or your contractor).
• Repairs happen.

If you disagree:

• Request a re-inspection.
• Submit your contractor’s estimate.
• Hire a public adjuster (usually 10-20% of recovery).
• Invoke the appraisal clause (if your policy includes it — an out-of-court binding arbitration).
• File a complaint with Florida DFS.
• As a last resort, hire a Florida insurance lawyer.

Step 6: Repairs and final payment

For replacement-cost coverage, the insurer typically pays the depreciated value first, then the recoverable depreciation after you complete and document repairs.

For actual cash value coverage, you receive the depreciated amount and that’s it.

Florida-specific tips

• Public adjusters are licensed by Florida DFS. Verify license before hiring. They take a cut but can substantially increase your settlement on disputed claims.
• Hurricane claims have specific deductible structures (percentage of dwelling) that can eat into smaller claim payouts.
• Florida AOB reform has tightened the rules around assignment of benefits. Be cautious about contractors who ask you to assign your claim rights to them.

Get a Florida insurance quote — and if you ever have a claim question on a policy we’ve placed, we’ll walk you through the process.