How to File a Roof Insurance Claim in Florida: Step-by-Step Guide

Know Your Policy Before You Need It

Before storm season, review your homeowner's insurance policy. Look for:

• **Wind/hurricane deductible** (often 2-5% of your home's insured value)
• **Filing deadline** after the damage event
• **Covered perils** (wind, hail, falling objects, etc.)
• **Depreciation method** (replacement cost vs. actual cash value)

The Deadlines: 1 Year to File, 18 Months for Supplements

Florida law sets hard clocks on property claims (Fla. Stat. § 627.70132, as amended in 2022):

• **New or reopened claim: 1 year** from the date of loss
• **Supplemental claim: 18 months** from the date of loss

The clock starts the day the storm hits — not the day you notice the water stain. Wind damage is often invisible from the ground and can take months to leak, which is exactly why a free documented inspection right after any major storm protects you: it either finds damage inside the window or gives you dated proof of your roof's good condition.

Hurricane Deductible Math (Do This Before You File)

Florida hurricane deductibles are typically a percentage of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A) — most policies use 2% or 5% — and they apply once per hurricane season, not per storm. The math matters:

• $300,000 dwelling coverage × 2% = **$6,000 deductible**
• $300,000 dwelling coverage × 5% = **$15,000 deductible**

If the documented damage is a few missing shingles worth $2,000, a hurricane claim under a $6,000 deductible pays nothing and still goes in your claims history. If half the roof is compromised, the claim is clearly worth filing. This is why we document first and talk numbers with you before you call the carrier — an honest contractor tells you when a claim isn't worth filing.

Step 1: Document the Damage Immediately

After a storm:

1Take photos/video of all visible damage from the ground

2Photograph your attic for water intrusion signs

3Document any interior damage (water stains, wet insulation)

4Save any debris that fell from your roof

5Note the date and type of storm event

Pro tip: Photos with timestamps are your strongest evidence. Take them the same day as the storm if possible. For the complete hour-by-hour protocol — the exact shot list adjusters want, the duty to mitigate, and your insurer's statutory deadlines — see our first-72-hours storm documentation guide.

Step 2: Call Your Insurance Company

File your claim as soon as possible. When you call:

• Reference the specific storm date and type
• Describe the damage you've observed
• Ask for your claim number and adjuster assignment timeline
• Confirm your filing deadline

Important: Do NOT let them talk you out of filing. You have a right to an inspection.

Step 3: Get a Professional Roof Inspection

Before the insurance adjuster arrives, have a licensed roofing contractor inspect your roof. A good contractor will:

• Walk the entire roof surface
• Document damage with detailed photos
• Measure affected areas
• Write a scope of work with material and labor costs
• Identify damage you might have missed

At Complete Roofing, we provide this inspection completely free. We deliver a PDF report within 24 hours that you can share with your adjuster.

Step 4: Meet with the Insurance Adjuster

When the adjuster comes:

• Be present (or have your contractor present)
• Walk them through every area of damage
• Provide your contractor's inspection report
• Point out damage they might miss (pipe boots, flashing, soft spots)
• Take your own photos during their inspection

Step 5: Review the Estimate

Your insurance company will send an estimate. Compare it against your contractor's scope:

• Are all damaged areas included?
• Are material costs accurate for your area?
• Is labor priced at current market rates?
• Did they include code-upgrade costs (required in Florida)?

If the estimate seems low, you have the right to request a re-inspection or file a supplement.

Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value — and Getting Your Depreciation Back

If you carry a replacement cost (RCV) policy, the insurer usually pays in two steps:

1First check: actual cash value (ACV) — the replacement cost minus depreciation for your roof's age, minus your deductible

2Second check: recoverable depreciation — the withheld difference, released only after the work is done

To collect the holdback, you (or your contractor) must send the carrier the signed contract, final invoice, and completion photos, then request the depreciation release in writing. Homeowners leave this money on the table every year simply because nobody submits the paperwork. We include the completion documentation package on every insurance job — it's how the second check actually arrives.

If your policy is actual cash value only, the depreciation is never recoverable — worth knowing before storm season, because on an older roof the ACV payout can be a fraction of the replacement cost.

If Your Claim Is Denied or Underpaid

A denial is not the end of the road. In roughly this order:

1Request a re-inspection — with your contractor present this time, walking the adjuster through the documented damage point by point.

2File for free state mediation — Florida's Department of Financial Services runs a mediation program for residential property claims (Fla. Stat. § 627.7015). A neutral mediator sits you and the carrier down; the insurer pays the mediation cost. Request it at myfloridacfo.com.

3Invoke the appraisal clause — most policies let each side hire an independent appraiser, with an umpire breaking ties. Check your policy's appraisal provision before paying for this route.

4Public adjuster or attorney — for large disputed claims. Public adjuster fees are capped by Florida law and come out of your settlement, so use this after the free options.

Keep every document: denial letters, adjuster reports, photos, and your contractor's scope. Disputes are won on paper.

Common Reasons Claims Get Denied (And How to Avoid Them)

1"Pre-existing damage" — Fight this with dated photos showing your roof's condition before the storm

2"Cosmetic damage only" — Get a contractor's report showing functional damage

3"Maintenance issue" — Keep records of regular roof maintenance

4"Filed too late" — File immediately after every storm event

5"Wear and tear" — Document the specific storm event that caused new damage

We Handle Insurance Claims Every Week

Complete Roofing has helped hundreds of homeowners in Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, and Milton navigate the insurance claim process. If a carrier is questioning your roof's age, see what Florida law says about roof age and non-renewal. We provide:

• Free damage inspection and documentation
• Detailed scope of work for your adjuster
• On-site meetings with your insurance adjuster
• Supplement filing if your claim is underpaid

Call (850) 220-3965 for a free storm damage inspection, or use our satellite estimator to get started.

This article is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Policy terms vary — confirm specifics with your carrier or a licensed professional.