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Ensure everyone’s safety, document the incident with photos and notes, and contact your insurance agent or company as soon as possible to report the claim.

You can file a claim by contacting your insurance agent, calling the company’s claims hotline, or using the online claims portal on your insurer’s website. 

*** If you are one of our clients, feel free to call into us for more guidence on your specific problem and/or claim: 772-286-2572

You’ll need your policy number, date and time of the incident, a brief description of what happened, and any relevant photos or documentation. Hopefully you have Before and After photos and/or video.

Insurance Claim Filing Deadlines: What You Need to Know

While prompt reporting is crucial, most insurance policies in Florida allow a one-year window for filing claims. However, it's essential to review your specific policy for exact timeframes. Pay special attention to water damage claims, as some insurers impose strict reporting deadlines—as short as 15 days or less.

Recent changes in Florida insurance regulations have impacted claim reporting periods. The Florida Senate Bill 2A, enacted in 2022, mandates that Florida-admitted insurance carriers must allow a maximum of one year for policyholders to report claims. This legislation aims to protect consumers while streamlining the claims process.

Key points to remember:

1. File claims as soon as possible after an incident
2. Check your policy for specific reporting deadlines
3. Be aware of shorter timeframes for water damage claims
4. Florida law now requires a maximum one-year reporting period for hurricane claims

Always consult with your insurance agent or company for the most up-to-date information on claim filing deadlines and procedures.

Collision claims cover damage from accidents with other vehicles or objects. Comprehensive claims cover damage from non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.

• Collision think colliding with something and/or anything
• Comprehensive think "act of God" damage; you cannot stop and/or prevent from happening

It depends on the cause. Sudden, accidental water damage (like a burst pipe) is typically covered, while gradual damage or flooding usually isn’t.

Flood insurance doesn’t cover wind-driven rain damage; that is usually covered under a Homeowner’s Insurance (HOI) policy if windstorm coverage is included and the insurance carrier specifically includes or does not name exclude it from the policy. Ensure you have windstorm coverage if you’re in a hurricane-prone area, as it will require a separate deductible.

As for Flood Insurance, that coverage is for damage from rising ground water from the outside into the structure insured. Flood insurance is excluded unless specifically included, or separately purchased. 

Coverage for items like garage contents or drywall removal depends on the specific language in your flood and homeowner’s insurance policies. It’s often wise to file claims under both policies to maximize your coverage benefits. Always advise consulting your insurance agent and/or insurance adjuster.

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the claim. Simple claims might be resolved in a few days, while more complex ones could take weeks or months. 

Insurance Claim Tip: What helps to speed up the insurance claims process is having an updated inventory  of your home (photos, videos, receipts from large purchases, etc...) and BEFORE photos to show your insurance adjuster when the time comes. As well as, quickly supplying them with the information they need to properly adjust your insurance claim.

When you first file your insurane claim, you should be hearing from your assigned field adjuster within 24-48 hours. That field adjuster will be your first point of contact. They are there to strictly take the damage photos and notes and report the findings back to the insurance desk adjuster. that could take up to a month to hear depending on the severity of the claim or claims event.  Generally, the insurance company must conduct an inspection within 30 days of your proof of loss and pay or deny the claim within 60 days.

If you want more information about your insurance claims adjuster and your insruance is with our office, please give us a call: 772-286-2572

A claims adjuster is a professional who investigates insurance claims, assesses damages, and recommends a settlement amount.

In most cases, yes. However, using a preferred provider from your insurance company might streamline the process and guarantee the work. Also, check your insurance policy or call your insurance agent, you may be required to use certain shops depending on your policy and if the agent opted into that program for the discount you agreed too. 

Typically, you’ll need incident reports, photos of damage, receipts for damaged items, and any relevant medical records or police reports. 

While not always required, getting multiple estimates can help ensure fair pricing and may be requested by your insurance company adjuster and agent.

BE sure to check with your insurance agent and make sure these estimates DO NOT start ANY repairs; your insurance policy may have special clauses where you HAVE TO FILE THE CLAIM AND CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY FIRST in order to benefit from the MAXIMUM INSURANCE CLAIMS PAYOUT.

Create a home inventory with photos, descriptions, and receipts of valuable items. Store this information in a safe place (like a locked, fireproof safe) or digitally. Be sure to update Appraisals at least every three years. (GOLD HAS SKYROCKETED RECENTLY- we want an appraisal less than one year old to insure your gold) While homeowners insurance policies include coverage for valuables, they are very limited. Read your insurance policy to see what your policy's current limitations are on certain valuables. We recommend insuring them separately here in Florida under a Personal Articles Policy; Inland Marine Policy; Jewelry Policy. Give our office a call for more details on these types of policies and how our florida insurance agents can help you. 

Yes, ABSOLUTELY, you are entitled to request a copy of the adjuster’s detailed report. Most of the time, the reports are mailed with the final claims check. You can call your insurance agent and ask them to request the copy, or you can email your insurance claims adjuster directly. 

You can negotiate with your insurance company. Provide additional documentation to support your case or consider hiring a public adjuster.

Payments are usually made by check or direct deposit. For property claims, payments might be made in installments as repairs progress. 

If you have a mortgage company: your insurance claims process starts a little differently than if you did not have a mortgage company. 

1. After you file your claim and receive the first check in the mail, you will notice the claims check is made out to you AND your Mortgage Company. You will need to call your Mortgage Company and notify them of your insurance property claim, they will provide you with the details- however, most of the time your mortgage company will create a claim ticket of their own for you and ask you to:
2. MAIL the insurance claims check to them and their specific mailing address (we recommend you mail from USPS and track it). From there your Mortgage company will endorse the check, notate what they do on their end and then MAIL the insurance claims check, now endorsed by your mortgage company,  BACK TO YOU. 
3. From then, you can cash the check and start to pay your contractor to start your repairs. Keep in contact with your insurance claims adjuster along the way. 

A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. This amount is subtracted from your claim settlement and then the claims check is mailed to you.

Yes, under certain circumstances, you can accept an initial payment and still challenge the valuation. Make sure to clearly communicate your intention to dispute to your insurance claims adjuster.