If you’re filing a Hurricane insurance claim in Florida, you must do so quickly to avoid being barred from receiving compensation for your property damage. That’s because Florida law sets a limit on how long you have to file a hurricane insurance claim.
We welcome you to call our Florida property damage lawyers today for a free consultation.
How Long Do I Have To File a Claim After a Hurricane in Florida?
Statute of Limitations for Insurance Claims in Florida
In Florida, you have just 1 year from the date the hurricane made landfall to give notice of the claim to the insurance company.
This is according to the latest 2022 Florida statute (at the time of writing in March 2023). Many websites may tell you that you have 2-3 years, but they are based on outdated information.
For usual property damage claims you have one year from the ‘date of loss’, but for hurricanes and other weather-related events you have one year from when the event made ‘landfall’.
How Long Do I Have For ‘Supplemental Claims’?
Supplemental claims are made for additional loss or damage of the same hurricane, which the insurance company had previously adjusted, or for costs that arose during repair work or replacement.
These claims are not restricted by the 1-year time limit.
When Did Hurricane Ian Make Landfall in Florida?
Hurricane Ian made landfall on September 28, 2022. It was strengthened to a Category 4 storm when it hit west of Fort Myers, Florida.
Therefore, you have until September 28, 2023 to give notice of your claim to your insurance company.
When Should I File My Hurricane Insurance Claim?
You should make your Hurricane insurance claim in Florida as soon as possible. Earlier is always better. You don’t want to miss the claim filing deadline. But also because you don’t want to give your insurance company any chance to blame the damage on time since the hurricane, or because you didn’t mitigate damage.
Should I Be Worried About the Deadline?
Sadly, yes. The hurricane insurance claim deadline regularly approaches quicker than people think. One minute you’re reading a blog, the next you’ve got one month to make your claim.
A successful Florida hurricane insurance claim also requires solid preparation. You’ll need to prove where the damage came from, and what’s been damaged and work hard to avoid being undervalued.
How to Make a Florida Hurricane Insurance Claim Fast
If you are nearing the deadline, please contact our Florida property damage lawyer who can help you make a timely claim.
Our experienced attorneys will cut through any delaying tactics and get you the money you deserve to rebuild your home.
If you haven’t already notified your insurance company about the hurricane damage, you should do so immediately.
Read Related: 10 Signs That You Need a Hurricane Ian Claims Lawyer
What Should I Do If My Hurricane Claim Has Been Delayed?
It is not uncommon to see Florida hurricane insurance claims delayed. Insurance companies regularly lose track of claims or purposely try to delay them to put off claimants or avoid paying out.
You should:
- Determine if the insurance company’s responses exceeded Florida state law’s limits. (Read our guide here to see the response deadlines in Florida)
- Document everything, from phone calls and emails to receipts and quotes.
- Contact a property damage claim lawyer as soon as possible.
What Should I Do If My Hurricane Claim Has Been Denied?
If your Florida hurricane insurance claim has been denied, all is not lost. You can still salvage the situation and reopen a denied claim. To do so, extra preparation will be required to challenge their denial.
Please contact our Florida property damage lawyer as soon as possible, so we can make an aggressive defense in your favor.
What Hurricane Property Damage can be covered?
Hurricane property damage policies can cover the following categories of damage:
- Water damage
- Wind damage
- Living expenses caused by displacement
- Roof damage
- Vehicle damage
- Appliance damage
- Personal property damage
Flood damage is not covered by typical hurricane insurance coverage in Florida. Instead, you need an additional flood insurance policy. Read our guide on water damage vs flood damage here.
Hurricane Ian Facts:
- Hurricane Ian caused the second-largest insurance loss in history, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
- A total of $113.1 billion in damage. The costliest in Florida history.
- Formed: September 23, 2022.
- Dissipated: October 2, 2022.
- Winds of up to 215 mph.
How Many People Are Suffering Delayed or Denied Hurricane Ian Claims?
Many people are still facing denied or delayed Hurricane Ian claims in Florida. For example, in Lee County over 48,000 claims have been rejected, with an additional 30,000 left with no response.
Of the 135,000 who have received payouts, many complain of lowball offers that aren’t sufficient to rebuild the damage directly caused by Hurricane Ian. Many offers are insulting.
Contact Our Florida Hurricane Insurance Claim Lawyers Today
Free Consultations!
If you aren’t getting a satisfactory response for your hurricane insurance claim, please call our Florida property damage lawyers for a free consultation.
Attorney Jonathon Douglas leads the property damage claim team nationally ranked by US News and World Reports as a Tier 1 Law Firm, Battaglia Ross Dicus & McQuaid, P.A.
Having previously represented some of the largest insurance companies in the State of Florida, Mr. Douglas uses his inside knowledge and experience to help you navigate property damage insurance claims.
Regardless of your situation, you can receive a free consultation today.