Florida property claim representation
What is a Florida Civil Remedy Notice?
A Civil Remedy Notice is part of a specific legal process. It is not a finding of wrongdoing, a routine claim-status request or a substitute for the evidence needed to support a property insurance claim.
Reviewed November 3, 2026. Coverage and available remedies depend on your policy, loss facts and applicable law.
A notice is one requirement, not the entire case
Section 624.155, Florida Statutes, provides a civil remedy for specified insurer conduct. For an action subject to its notice requirement, DFS and the authorized insurer must receive the required 60-day written notice. The notice must identify specific statutory provisions, facts, people involved and relevant policy language as applicable. The statute provides an opportunity to cure after the insurer receives the notice from DFS.
A Civil Remedy Notice does not establish that the allegations are true, that coverage exists or that a claimant is entitled to additional damages. It should not be confused with every other notice that may apply before litigation. A Florida insurance attorney should evaluate the appropriate procedure, legal sufficiency, timing and deadlines.
Property-insurer bad-faith claims have an additional hurdle
For extracontractual damages under section 624.155(1)(b), section 624.1551 requires an adverse court adjudication establishing that the property insurer breached the policy and a final judgment or decree against the insurer. Payment of an appraisal award or acceptance of an offer of judgment is not that adverse adjudication.
The difference between an insurer appraiser’s final estimate and an appraisal award may be evidence, but it does not by itself create the required adjudication or a cause of action. This distinction matters after the 2022 reforms: obtaining more money through appraisal alone does not satisfy the statutory prerequisite for this property-insurer remedy.
Delay or a low estimate is not automatic proof of bad faith
The current statute says negligence alone is insufficient. It also addresses good-faith conduct by insureds, claimants and their representatives when providing information, making demands, setting deadlines and pursuing settlement. The full claim record matters.
Preserve the insurer’s letters, estimates and payment explanations alongside photographs, repair proposals, document requests and your responses. A dated chronology can help distinguish a disagreement about the facts or policy from conduct that an attorney believes supports a legal claim. Avoid assuming that an unpaid item, changed estimate or missed expectation automatically proves the legal elements.
Appraisal affects notice timing
Section 624.155(3)(f) prohibits filing the notice within 60 days after any party invokes appraisal in a residential property insurance claim. Other limitation and tolling provisions also require attention. Do not calculate litigation deadlines from a general website article or assume that contacting DFS preserves every deadline.
What DFS does—and what its filing system does not decide
The DFS civil-remedy page explains the notice process and links to the filing system. DFS does not conduct the parties’ pre-suit negotiations or decide the litigation through that system. A consumer request for assistance is a different process.
The DFS filing FAQs explain that notices are public records and submitted filings cannot simply be edited. Do not publish Social Security numbers or other sensitive personal information. Obtain legal review before filing allegations or relying on a notice to protect your rights.
Where a public adjuster can help
Experienced Public Adjusters can help document the property damage, prepare a supported scope and estimate, and communicate about the claim within the adjusting agreement. A public adjuster does not provide legal advice or litigate a bad-faith action.
If your claim is underpaid or disputed, request a claim review and have your policy, insurer’s decision and repair documentation available. If you are considering legal action, speak with an attorney promptly. Read our Florida insurance-law changes guide, attorney-fee explanation and claim-payment timing guide for related background.
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.
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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.