How to File an Insurance Claim for Roof Damage in Florida

Storms in Florida can cause serious roof damage. When wind, hail, or hurricane forces hit, you may need to file an insurance claim. This guide covers each step from taking notes to making repairs. It uses simple language and Florida rules so you can protect your home or building easily.

Checklist of Main Steps:

Take photos and videos of damage right after the storm.
Secure your property (tarps for leaks, clean debris) to prevent further damage.
Report the damage to your insurance company as soon as possible.
Know your deductibles (hurricane/windstorms can have bigger deductibles) myfloridacfo.com.
Meet the insurance adjuster and walk through the damage.
Get repair estimates from licensed roofers.
Review the adjuster’s estimate and finalize the claim.
Complete repairs and keep all receipts and paperwork.

Understanding Insurance and Storm Damage in Florida

Wind, hail, and hurricane damage to roofs is usually covered by insurance in Florida. However, Florida policies often have a separate hurricane deductible for wind/hurricane damage myfloridacfo.com. This deductible is usually a percentage of your home’s insured value (common options: 2%, 5%, or 10%) myfloridacfo.com. For example, with a $100,000 policy and a 5% deductible, you would pay $5,000 out of pocket. Florida law also generally requires filing a claim within 1 year of the damage tighepa.com (up to 18 months if additional damage is found) tighepa.com. It is still best to call your insurer as soon as possible after a storm.

Step 1: Stay Safe and Document the Damage

After the storm, safety comes first. Check for downed power lines, flooding, or fallen trees. If it is unsafe, wait for emergency crews.

When it’s safe, start documenting the damage:

Photos and videos: Walk around your house or business and take clear pictures or videos of any roof damage. Look for missing or broken shingles, cracked tiles, or holes in the roof. Also photograph any leaks or water stains on ceilings and walls inside. This visual record is critical for your claim.
Notes: Write down details such as when the storm hit and where you see damage. For example: “Shingles torn off the west side of the roof,” or “Water dripping in upstairs bedroom after storm.”
Evidence: Keep any fallen tiles, shingles, or hailstones that show the damage. These items can help prove the roof was hit.
Prevent further damage: Use tarps, plastic sheets, or plywood to cover holes or weak spots on the roof. Move valuables away from leaking areas. Florida insurance policies require you to take steps to prevent more damage. Save all receipts for tarps, materials, or labor — your insurer should reimburse these emergency costs.

Having thorough documentation and quick temporary fixes helps strengthen your insurance claim. Cover all damage you can safely fix before moving on.

Step 2: Notify Your Insurance Company

Call your insurance agent or company as soon as you can and describe the damage. Be ready with your policy number and a clear explanation of what happened. Explain the storm event (wind, hail, etc.) and what you saw on your roof and inside your home. Ask the company to open a claim right away and give you a claim number.

Florida law requires insurance companies to respond quickly. By law, they must acknowledge your claim (even if just by phone) within 7 days myfloridacfo.com, and must begin investigating it within about a week myfloridacfo.com. Keep notes of each call: write down the date, the person’s name, and what was said. This record will help if there are any delays.

Your insurance company will likely send an adjuster to inspect the damage. Stay in contact with them and provide any photos, receipts, or repair estimates they need.

Step 3: Understand Your Deductibles and Coverage

Before the adjuster arrives, review your policy details:

Deductible: This is the amount you pay before insurance kicks in. You may have a normal deductible (like $1,000). If a hurricane or high winds caused the damage, check if a separate hurricane/windstorm deductible applies myfloridacfo.com. Remember that Florida requires insurers to offer hurricane deductible options (2%, 5%, 10%) myfloridacfo.com.
Policy limits and exclusions: Know how much damage your policy covers and what it excludes. Most policies cover wind and hail damage to roofs, but not every type of loss. For example, roof damage from normal wear and tear isn’t covered, and flood insurance does not cover wind damage.
Additional living expense: If the damage is so bad you can’t live in your home, your policy might pay for you to stay elsewhere temporarily. Check if you have this coverage.

Make sure you understand what costs the insurance will cover. If anything is confusing, ask your agent to explain. Knowing your coverage helps you know what to expect from the claim.

Step 4: Meet the Adjuster and Protect Your Home

Your insurance company will schedule an adjuster visit to inspect the roof. Florida law expects insurers to inspect storm damage within about 30 days of your claim myfloridacfo.com. Continue protecting your home:

Walk with the adjuster: When the adjuster arrives, walk around your property with them. Show them the photos and videos you took. Point out every damaged area. You can also have a roofing contractor (like Orange Contracting and Roofing) meet the adjuster. A professional roofer can explain hidden damage and make sure nothing is missed.
Take notes: Write down what the adjuster says. Note if they are measuring or taking photos. A second record can be useful later.
Temporary repairs: Remind the adjuster of any emergency repairs you made (like tarp). If you have not covered roof holes yet, do it now to stop leaks. Mention these fixes.
Adjuster’s report: After inspecting, the adjuster creates an estimate of the damage. By law, they must give you a copy within 7 days after finishing it myfloridacfo.com. When you get this report, review it carefully. Make sure all the damage you documented is listed. If something’s missing, tell the adjuster or your agent right away.

Keep doing what you need to protect your home while the claim is open. Taking these steps shows the insurer you’re responsible, which helps your case.

Step 5: Review the Estimate and Plan Repairs

When you receive the insurance estimate, compare it to your own roofing contractor’s estimate:

Item-by-item: Check that the insurance estimate includes all damaged items (shingles, underlayment, vents, gutters, etc.). Did the adjuster include repairs for the attic, mold, or other hidden storm damage?
Contractor’s input: Share any additional damage your roofer found. If the adjuster missed something (for example, hidden leaks), ask for a supplemental estimate. Florida law lets you add more information to your claim (within 18 months) tighepa.com, so don’t delay.
Negotiate if needed: If the insurance estimate is lower than expected, you can discuss it with the adjuster or claims agent. Be polite and use your photos and notes to support any difference. Sometimes insurers will add missed items when you point them out.
Payment process: Once you agree on the repairs, the insurance company will pay the claim. They might pay you (and then you pay the contractor) or pay the contractor directly. Check how your policy handles payments and make sure you understand it.

Keep copies of every estimate and all correspondence. Having a clear paper trail ensures nothing gets lost in the process.

Step 6: Hire a Licensed Roofer and Repair Your Roof

Choose a reputable, licensed roofing contractor to do the repairs. Florida law requires roofers to be licensed. A licensed contractor knows the current building codes (and will pull any required permits). For example, they know rules that might require the entire roof to be updated if a big section is damaged. A good roofer will make sure the work meets code.

Orange Contracting and Roofing is a local Central Florida company experienced with storm damage and insurance claims. They can double-check the adjuster’s estimate, explain needed repairs, and help plan the work. Working with a pro makes the repair process faster and ensures your roof is fixed correctly.

Before work starts, sign a clear contract with your roofer. It should list the scope of work, materials, timeline, and cost. The cost should match the insurance-approved estimate. After the roof is repaired, inspect the work carefully. Make sure it’s done right, and then save the final invoice and payment receipts. These may be needed for the insurance file.

Key Florida Rules to Remember

File on time: You must report the damage to your insurer within 1 year of the storm tighepa.com. Mark this deadline on your calendar and file as soon as possible.
Hurricane deductible: If a hurricane or high wind caused the damage, expect a higher deductible (a percentage of your home’s value) myfloridacfo.com.
Insurer timeline: Florida law now requires insurers to acknowledge your claim quickly (usually within 7 days) and pay or deny it within 60 days myfloridacfo.com.
Documentation: Keep every photo, video, receipt, and note. Your insurance company may ask for proof of everything, so a thorough record helps you get the full claim amount.
Licensed professionals: Always use licensed contractors for roof work. It’s also smart to use a professional when meeting the adjuster, to ensure all damage is noticed.

Getting Help from Orange Contracting and Roofing

Filing an insurance claim and fixing a storm-damaged roof can be stressful. You don’t have to go through it alone. Orange Contracting and Roofing is a trusted Central Florida roofing contractor that specializes in storm damage and insurance claims. They can inspect your roof, help document the damage, and provide a detailed repair plan. If you need expert assistance with any part of the claims process or with repairs, contact Orange Contracting and Roofing.

When a storm hits, act quickly to protect your home or property. Follow these steps, keep good records, and get professional help when you need it. This way you can file your claim confidently and get your roof repaired properly.

Call Orange Contracting and Roofing at 407-205-2676 or email [email protected]

The company’s office is located at 105 Candace Dr., Suite 129, Maitland, FL 32751. Taking this step can help ensure a home is well-prepared to face the demands of the Central Florida climate for years to come.