Hurricane Claim Checklist for Florida Homeowners

When a hurricane passes, it is hard to think clearly. This checklist puts the steps of a Florida home or condo claim in order, from the first walk-around to the final payment. For the deadlines your insurer must meet (7, 30 and 60 days), see our hurricane claim timeline; this guide focuses on what you do.

Before the storm: 15 minutes that help later

• Save your policy number and your insurer’s claim phone number in your phone, and keep a copy of your declarations page in the cloud.
• Walk through the house with your phone and record a video of every room, closets, appliances, the roof (from the ground) and the outside.
• Know your hurricane deductible. It is often a percentage of the dwelling limit, not a fixed amount; our wind deductible guide explains how it works.
• Check whether you have flood insurance. Standard home policies do not cover flood; it is a separate policy (see our flood insurance page).

First 24–72 hours: safety and evidence

1. Stay out of the house until it is safe. Watch for downed lines, gas smells and standing water.
2. Photograph and film all damage before you move or fix anything: roof, ceilings, walls, floors, windows, fences, cars and damaged belongings. Include close-ups and wide shots.
3. Prevent further damage with reasonable temporary repairs, for example a tarp on the roof or boards over a broken window. Most policies require this. Keep every receipt and photograph the repair.
4. Do not throw away damaged items before the adjuster sees them unless they are a health hazard; if you must, photograph them first and keep a sample (such as a piece of carpet).
5. If the home is not livable, keep receipts for hotel, meals and other extra costs. Many policies include additional living expense coverage; check your policy.

Report the claim

Report as soon as it is safe, by phone, app or online. Florida law sets an outer limit of 1 year after the date of loss for a new claim and 18 months for a supplemental claim; for a hurricane, the date of loss is the day of landfall (s. 627.70132). Write down the claim number, the date and the name of everyone you speak with.

Within 14 days after your first contact about the claim, your insurer must send you the Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights, a plain-language summary of your rights in the claims process (s. 627.7142). Read it and keep it with your file.

The adjuster visit

• An adjuster or other person acting for the insurer must give you at least 48 hours’ notice before an on-site inspection or meeting (s. 626.854(14)).
• Be there if you can. Show every damaged area, including the attic and outbuildings, and hand over a list of damaged belongings.
• Ask for the adjuster’s name and license number and for a copy of the estimate.
• Compare the estimate with a written estimate from a licensed contractor. If something was missed, you can file a supplemental claim.

Flood damage is a separate claim

If water came in from storm surge or rising water, report it to your flood insurer too. Under the National Flood Insurance Program, you generally must send a signed, sworn proof of loss with supporting documents within 60 days of the loss, unless FEMA extends the deadline for that event (NFIP checklist). Wind and flood damage are adjusted separately, so photos that show the water line are useful.

Contractors, public adjusters and what you sign

• For residential policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, you cannot assign your post-loss benefits to a contractor; such an assignment is void (s. 627.7152(13)). Read any contract carefully before signing.
• A contractor may not offer you a gift, cash or a deductible waiver for letting it inspect your roof or for filing a roof claim (s. 489.147). Waiving a deductible this way can be insurance fraud.
• If you hire a public adjuster, the fee is capped by law: generally 10% of claim payments for claims made in the year after a declared state of emergency, and 20% otherwise. You can cancel the contract without penalty within 10 days, or, in a declared emergency, within 30 days after the date of loss if that is longer (s. 626.854).
• Check any contractor or adjuster license before you pay or sign.

Keep a claim log

One folder (paper or digital) with your photos, receipts, letters, the estimate, every payment and a dated list of calls and emails. If you disagree with the result, the timeline guide explains state mediation, and the Florida Department of Financial Services consumer helpline at 1-877-693-5236 can help with questions (DFS).