Florida property claim representation
Waiting on a claim decision? Know which clock applies.
A property claim involves several deadlines—not one promise that every loss will be fully settled within a fixed number of days. Keep the claim notice, requests for information, inspection dates and payment letters together.
Reviewed November 2, 2026. Coverage and available remedies depend on your policy, loss facts and applicable law.
The current payment rule
Under the current version of Florida Statutes section 627.70131, the insurer generally must pay or deny a claim or a portion of it within 60 days after receiving notice of an initial, reopened or supplemental property claim, subject to the statute’s scope, exceptions and tolling provisions. Older articles describing a universal 90-day deadline do not accurately explain the current rule.
This does not guarantee agreement on every disputed repair item within 60 days. A partial payment or denial may leave a dispute about scope, pricing, causation or policy interpretation. Request the written explanation and compare the insurer’s position with the evidence supporting your loss.
Other milestones to track
7 days: acknowledge communications
The statute generally requires acknowledgment of claim communications within 7 calendar days, with specified exceptions. This is different from the deadline to decide or pay a claim.
7 days: begin the investigation
After receiving proof-of-loss statements, the insurer generally must begin the necessary investigation within 7 days, unless the policy or law provides otherwise or qualifying factors prevent it.
30 days: physical inspection
If the investigation involves a physical inspection, the statute generally requires it within 30 days after receipt of the proof-of-loss statements. Keep inspection scheduling and access records.
7 days: a generated estimate
If the insurer’s adjuster generates a detailed estimate, the insurer must send you a copy within 7 days after generation. This does not require an estimate when one is not reasonably necessary to investigate.
Exceptions need a specific explanation
The law defines circumstances that can affect these deadlines. They include certain Office of Insurance Regulation orders and insured conduct—such as fraud or lack of cooperation—that actually prevents compliance. A storm does not automatically erase every claim-handling obligation.
The payment period can also be tolled during mediation or another alternative dispute-resolution procedure provided in the policy. A qualifying request for material information can trigger tolling when the insured does not supply it within 10 days; the request must meet the statute’s timing requirements, including being sent at least 15 days before the payment deadline. These are reasons to track the actual correspondence and obtain advice on a disputed calculation.
Which policies are covered?
The payment provision applies to residential property claims and certain smaller commercial claims. The commercial provisions include specified structure, contents and tenant claims involving premises of 10,000 square feet or less, with a multistate-commercial-policy exclusion. Do not apply this summary automatically to every large commercial or association loss. Residential surplus-lines coverage is addressed expressly in the statute.
What should the payment or denial explain?
The insurer must give a reasonable written explanation connecting the policy, facts or applicable law to its payment, denial or partial denial. If it pays less than its own detailed estimate, the statute requires a written explanation of the difference. Compare deductibles, depreciation, coverage limits and excluded items rather than looking only at the check amount.
Qualifying late payments of initial or supplemental claims may carry statutory interest. The calculation and exceptions require review of the dates and circumstances. A violation of this payment subsection does not by itself form the sole basis for a private lawsuit.
A practical response to delay or underpayment
- Confirm the insurer received your claim and retain the claim number.
- Keep a dated log of requests, responses, inspections and submitted documents.
- Respond accurately to reasonable policy requirements and ask for clarification of unclear requests.
- Ask in writing for the claim status, missing information and the basis for any delay.
- Compare the payment and estimate with documented damage and necessary repairs.
Experienced Public Adjusters can help organize the damage evidence, prepare a supported scope and communicate the claim position. An attorney should evaluate legal rights, disputed deadlines and possible litigation. DFS also provides mediation information for eligible disputes.
Related claim guidance
Proof-of-loss forms · Insurer communication duties · Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights · Florida insurance law changes
Historical claims: the policy period, loss date and applicable statutory version can change the analysis. This guide does not retroactively apply today’s deadlines to every older claim.
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.