Updated November 2, 2026. General claim information and public-adjuster commentary. Policy dates, loss facts and later legal developments can change the answer. A Florida attorney should advise on legal rights, deadlines and litigation.
A well-documented claim begins with safety, prompt notice and clear records of the damage. You do not need to know the final repair cost before reporting a loss. If you would like help understanding the documents or an insurer’s estimate, call Experienced Public Adjusters at (888) 881-8416.
1. Protect people and prevent further loss safely
Keep away from electrical hazards, unstable structures and contaminated areas. Obtain emergency assistance where needed. Arrange reasonable temporary protection and qualified mitigation consistent with the conditions and policy duties. Save invoices and photograph the damage before and during necessary work when safe. Do not keep hazardous debris or delay urgent measures merely to preserve evidence.
2. Notify the insurer promptly
Use the insurer’s claim-reporting channel and retain the claim number and date of notice. Give accurate information about what happened and what you observed. If the cause or full scope is uncertain, say so rather than guessing. Keep copies of messages and record requested follow-up information.
Florida statutory notice deadlines, policy duties and lawsuit deadlines are different. Do not treat an outer statutory deadline as permission to wait. Applicability can depend on policy dates, loss dates and specific exceptions. Our current Florida insurance-law guide explains the changes and links to the governing provisions.
3. Collect the policy and supporting evidence
- The complete policy, declarations and endorsements.
- Safe photographs, an inventory of affected property and a loss timeline.
- Relevant maintenance records, permits, installation invoices and earlier photographs.
- Qualified inspection reports, itemized repair proposals and mitigation records.
- Receipts for additional expenses for which you are seeking coverage.
For a luxury home, identify specialty materials, custom finishes and affected contents precisely. For a condominium or HOA master-policy claim, also collect the governing documents and identify which buildings or components are involved.
4. Understand the insurer’s inspection and estimate
Make the property available for reasonable inspection and respond to appropriate information requests. Compare the written estimate with the documented damage: rooms, components, quantities, materials and repair operations. Request the basis for exclusions or reductions in writing.
An initial payment may reflect an undisputed amount, a deductible, depreciation, a limit or another policy provision. It is not accurate to claim that initial checks normally cover only a fixed percentage of repairs. Examine the actual payment explanation and the policy before deciding what remains disputed. Keep track of any conditions or deadlines for recovering additional amounts.
5. Choose the help the claim actually needs
A public adjuster represents the policyholder in documenting, estimating and presenting a property claim under a written agreement. Contractors perform construction and explain their bids. Engineers and restoration professionals address matters within their qualifications. Attorneys provide legal advice and handle litigation.
You can seek professional assistance with a new, underpaid or denied claim, subject to applicable requirements and deadlines. Do not delay notice while deciding whom to hire. Read our attorney-fee guide before relying on old statements that litigation is automatically free, and our AOB guide before signing an assignment of policy benefits.
Bring a clear question to the first call
Tell us where the property is, the type of damage, when it happened, whether the claim is open and what the insurer has said. Have the estimate or denial available if possible. We focus on residential property claims, including luxury homes and complex losses, and also assist with condominium, HOA and commercial property claims.
Primary references: Florida Statutes §627.70131, §627.70132 and §626.854. Policy terms and case-specific legal advice remain important.
Concerned about a claim payment?
Experienced Public Adjusters helps Florida property owners document damage and present supported claims, with a focus on luxury homes, complex residential losses, condominium and HOA master policies, and commercial property.
Call (888) 881-8416 Request a claim review
Serving Naples, Tampa, Orlando, Daytona Beach and surrounding communities. Find our offices and service areas.
David Dwyer, designated primary adjuster: Florida license W391016. Experienced Public Adjusters: firm license W807213. Representation is subject to a written agreement; no settlement outcome is guaranteed.