To file a roof insurance claim in Florida, document the damage with dated photos and video, review your policy’s hurricane deductible and coverage, then report the claim to your insurer promptly. For policies issued or renewed on or after December 16, 2022, Florida law requires you to notify your insurer of a new claim within one year of the date of loss. A licensed roofer’s written estimate strengthens your claim, and the state offers free mediation if a dispute arises.
This article is general information for Florida homeowners — not legal or insurance advice. Your coverage, deductibles, and deadlines depend on your specific policy. Always verify the details with your carrier and a licensed professional.
The 8-Step Process
- Make safe, temporary repairs to stop further water damage — tarp the open area, but photograph it first and keep all receipts.
- Document everything — dated photos and video of every roof slope and any interior water damage.
- Read your policy — locate your hurricane deductible, coverage limits, and named-peril terms.
- Report the claim to your insurer promptly — Florida requires notice within one year of the date of loss for policies issued on or after Dec. 16, 2022.
- Get a licensed roofer’s written inspection and estimate — and verify the contractor’s license first.
- Request your Homeowner Claim Bill of Rights — your insurer must provide it within 14 days of your first claim communication.
- Meet the adjuster with your documentation and keep a written log of every contact and payment.
- If the claim is denied or underpaid, use Florida’s free mediation program through the state Insurance Consumer Helpline.
Step 1: Stop the Damage and Stay Safe First
Before anything else, protect people and prevent the loss from getting worse. Stay off a wet or storm-damaged roof — that work belongs to professionals. If water is actively entering the home, your Florida policy requires you to take reasonable steps to mitigate further damage, such as tarping an open section or moving valuables out of the way.
Do two things at the same time: stop the water, and preserve the evidence. Photograph and video the damage before you cover it, then save every receipt for tarps, materials, and any emergency labor. Those mitigation costs are typically reimbursable, but only if you can document them.
If the damage is severe — a tree through the roof, a large section peeled back, or interior ceiling collapse — call a licensed contractor for emergency stabilization. Dalton Roofing provides 24/7 storm emergency roof repair across St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, and Palm Beach counties, and can tarp and dry-in your roof while your claim is processed.
Step 2: Document the Damage Thoroughly
Documentation is what wins claims. Florida insurers frequently dispute roof claims by arguing the damage was pre-existing or maintenance-related rather than storm-caused, and the burden of proof falls on you, the homeowner.
From the ground, photograph and video every slope of the roof and all four elevations of the home. Capture missing or displaced shingles, lifted flashing, dented metal, and any debris impact points. Inside, document water stains on ceilings and walls, wet insulation, and any visible daylight in the attic. Note the date and, where possible, the time.
If you took dated “before” photos during a pre-season roof inspection, pair them with the post-storm images — a before-and-after record is far stronger than after-photos alone. Store copies in at least two places, such as a cloud folder and an email to yourself, so an independent timestamp exists if your phone is lost or damaged.
Step 3: Read Your Policy — Especially the Hurricane Deductible
Before you call your insurer, find your declarations page and read it. The single most important number is your hurricane deductible, which is separate from — and usually much larger than — your standard “all other perils” deductible.
Under Florida law (Statute 627.701), insurers must offer hurricane deductible options of $500, 2 percent, 5 percent, or 10 percent of your dwelling coverage limit. The percentage options are calculated against the insured value of your home — not the repair cost — so they can be substantial. For example, a 2 percent deductible on a home insured for $400,000 is $8,000 out of pocket before coverage begins.
The hurricane deductible is triggered when the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for any part of Florida, and it applies on a calendar-year basis. Knowing your number tells you whether a repair is even worth filing — if the damage estimate is below your deductible, a claim may not pay out at all.
| Feature | Standard (“All Other Perils”) Deductible | Hurricane Deductible |
|---|---|---|
| What triggers it | Most covered losses — fire, theft, non-hurricane wind | A hurricane, once the NHC issues a hurricane warning for any part of Florida (through 72 hours after the last watch or warning ends) |
| How it’s calculated | Usually a flat dollar amount (e.g., $1,000 or $2,500) | A percentage of your dwelling limit — insurers must offer $500, 2%, 5%, or 10% (Statute 627.701) |
| How often it applies | Per claim | Once per calendar year for hurricane losses from the same insurer |
| Typical out-of-pocket cost | Smaller and fixed | Often much larger — 2% of a $400,000 home is $8,000 |
| Where to find it | Your policy declarations page | Your policy declarations page (listed separately) |
Step 4: Report the Claim Before Florida’s Deadline
Florida tightened its claim-reporting deadlines in late 2022. Under Florida Statute 627.70132, for policies issued or renewed on or after December 16, 2022, you must give your insurer notice of a new or reopened claim within one year of the date of loss, and notice of a supplemental claim within 18 months.
For weather events, the “date of loss” is the date a hurricane made landfall, or the date the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration verifies a tornado, windstorm, or other weather-related event — not the day you happened to notice the damage. Because Florida policies renew annually, this one-year window now applies to essentially every in-force policy in the state, so do not wait to report roof damage.
When you call, have your policy number, the date of loss, and your documentation ready. Ask for a claim number, the name and contact information of your assigned adjuster, and written confirmation of what you reported. From that point, keep a dated log of every conversation.
| Type of claim | Deadline to notify insurer | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New (initial) claim | Within 1 year of the date of loss | Your first report of the loss to the insurer |
| Reopened claim | Within 1 year of the date of loss | A previously closed claim reopened for additional costs on damage already disclosed |
| Supplemental claim | Within 18 months of the date of loss | Additional loss or damage from the same event on an already-open claim |
These deadlines apply to policies issued or renewed on or after December 16, 2022. Policies that took effect earlier may follow the prior two-year reporting rule, so check your specific policy language.
Step 5: Get a Licensed Roofer’s Written Estimate
The insurer’s adjuster works for the insurance company. You are entitled to your own licensed contractor’s assessment, and a detailed written estimate gives you an independent number to compare against the carrier’s offer.
A thorough roofing estimate itemizes the scope: which slopes are affected, whether the damage is repairable or requires full roof replacement, the materials and labor involved, and code-required upgrades. If the adjuster’s figure is well below your contractor’s, that documented gap is the basis for a supplement.
Be cautious of unlicensed “storm chasers” who appear after major storms offering fast, cheap repairs — their work is unregulated and may not meet Florida Building Code. You can verify any contractor’s license through the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation before signing anything. Dalton Roofing has served the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County since 2004 under Florida State Certified Roofing Contractor license #CCC1330147; homeowners in our area can start with a free, written Port St. Lucie roofing inspection report.
Step 6: Know Your Rights — The Homeowner Claim Bill of Rights
Florida gives residential policyholders a specific set of protections. Under Florida Statute 627.7142, your insurer must provide you a Homeowner Claim Bill of Rights within 14 days of receiving your initial claim communication.
The document summarizes your rights in plain language. Among them: within 60 days of filing, subject to your policy terms, you should receive full payment of the claim, payment of the undisputed portion, or a written denial. Keep your copy with your claim file, and use it to hold the carrier to its timelines.
The Bill of Rights is a summary, not the full body of your rights under Florida law, and it does not create a private lawsuit by itself. But it is a useful checklist for tracking whether your insurer is meeting its obligations as the claim moves forward.
Step 7: Working With the Adjuster
When the insurer’s adjuster inspects your roof, be present if you can. Walk them through your documentation, point out every area of damage, and provide your contractor’s written estimate. Take your own photos of the inspection.
After the inspection, you will receive a claim summary and, if approved, a settlement amount. Read it against your own estimate line by line. If items are missing or the figures are low, you can dispute the amount — this is exactly what the supplemental-claim process (within 18 months of the date of loss) is for.
Throughout, keep a written record: dates of every call, who you spoke with, what was promised, and copies of all correspondence. A clear paper trail is your strongest asset if the claim becomes a dispute.
Step 8: What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied or Underpaid
A denial or low offer is not the end of the road. Florida’s Department of Financial Services runs a free mediation program for disputed residential property insurance claims through its Division of Consumer Services. A neutral, state-certified mediator sits down with you and your insurer to try to resolve the dispute without litigation, and the program is free to homeowners in most circumstances.
To request mediation or get one-on-one help understanding your options, call the state Insurance Consumer Helpline at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236), staffed Monday through Friday. The same office can take a formal complaint if you believe your insurer is not handling the claim properly.
If mediation does not resolve the dispute, you may have additional remedies, including legal action — consult a Florida attorney about your specific situation. In the meantime, keep documenting, and keep a licensed contractor’s estimate on file so the true cost of the repair is never in question.