Filing a roof insurance claim in Florida is a process with specific steps, timelines, and strategies that can significantly affect your outcome. Whether your damage came from a hurricane,hailstorm, fallen tree, or other covered event, the approach is the same. Here's exactly how to navigate it.
Before You File: Documentation Phase
The quality of your documentation directly affects your payout. Do this BEFORE calling your insurer:
Immediate (Within 24 Hours of Event)
- Photograph everything: Exterior damage from all angles. Interior damage (ceiling stains, water intrusion). Close-ups of specific damage points. Wide shots showing the overall scope.
- Video walk-around: 2-3 minute video of the entire property exterior, narrating what you see.
- Record the date and time: Note the exact date and approximate time of the damaging event.
- Check weather records: NWS Storm Reports (weather.gov) document hail size, wind speeds, and tornado tracks. These official records corroborate your claim.
- Document collateral damage: Damage to cars, fences, patio furniture, screens, and landscaping supports your claim that a damaging event occurred at your property.
- Emergency mitigation: Tarp any openings to prevent further water damage. Keep receipts. This is reimbursable AND expected by your insurer.
Within 1-2 Weeks
- Get a professional roof inspection: Have a licensed roofer document all damage with professional photography, measurements, and a written scope of work.
- Get a repair/replacement estimate: Your roofer should provide a detailed, line-item estimate you can compare to the insurance adjuster's assessment.
Filing the Claim: Step by Step
Step 1: Call Your Insurer (Day 1-2)
- Report the loss by phone. Most insurers also have online filing, but a phone call creates an immediate record.
- Provide: date of loss, type of damage, brief description of scope.
- What NOT to say: Don't speculate about cause, don't minimize damage, don't say "it's not that bad." Just state what happened and what you observe.
- Get your claim number and the name of your assigned adjuster.
- Ask about your policy's hurricane deductible vs standard deductible (they're different in FL).
Step 2: The Insurance Adjuster's Inspection (Week 1-3)
Your insurer will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. This is the most important step in the process.
- Be present: You (or your representative) should be on-site during the inspection.
- Have your roofer present: Your contractor can walk the roof with the adjuster and point out damage the adjuster might miss. This is standard practice and your right.
- Insist on roof-level inspection: Ground-level-only inspections miss most roof damage. If the adjuster only inspects from the ground, request a roof-level examination.
- Take your own photos during the inspection: Document what the adjuster sees and notes.
Step 3: Review the Insurance Estimate (Week 2-4)
Your insurer will provide a written estimate (usually generated through Xactimate software). Compare this line-by-line to your contractor's estimate:
| Common Discrepancy | Why It Happens | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Lower total than contractor estimate | Different pricing databases, missed damage | File a supplement (Step 4) |
| Missing line items (drip edge, underlayment upgrade) | Adjuster used minimum code, not actual cost | Request code upgrade supplement |
| Repair instead of replacement | Adjuster assessed under 25% damage | Re-inspection with roofer present |
| ACV instead of RCV payment | Depreciation holdback (standard on RCV policies) | Complete the work, then claim recoverable depreciation |
Step 4: The Supplement Process (If Needed)
Supplements are additional claims for costs not included in the original estimate. They're common and normal, not adversarial. Your contractor can file supplements for:
- Hidden damage discovered during tear-off (rotted deck, damaged trusses)
- Code upgrades required by Florida Building Code (self-adhering underlayment, drip edge type D/F, enhanced fastening)
- Line items missing from the original estimate
- Price increases if materials went up between estimate and installation
- The 25% rule triggering full replacement when only partial repair was originally scoped
Supplements typically take 2-6 weeks to process. They may require an additional adjuster visit.
Step 5: Recoverable Depreciation
If your policy is RCV (Replacement Cost Value), the initial payment includes depreciation holdback. After the work is completed, you submit the final invoice showing the work was done and the insurer releases the held-back depreciation amount. This can be 20-40% of the total claim.
Important: You must complete the work within the policy's timeframe (typically 1-2 years from the date of loss) to recover depreciation. Don't sit on the check.
When to Hire a Public Adjuster
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Straightforward claim under $10K | Handle yourself with contractor support |
| Claim $10K-25K, adjuster seems fair | Contractor supplement process is usually sufficient |
| Claim over $25K | Consider a PA (10% of $25K+ justifies their fee) |
| Claim denied and you disagree | PA or attorney consultation recommended |
| Adjuster estimate significantly below contractor estimate (30%+) | PA can often close the gap |
| Complex damage (multiple areas, structural) | PA expertise is valuable |
Public adjusters charge 10% of the final claim payout (sometimes negotiable, especially on larger claims). In Florida, PA fees are capped at 10% for claims related to a state of emergency and 20% for other claims.
Dispute Resolution Options
If you can't reach agreement with your insurer:
- Appraisal clause: Most FL policies include an appraisal clause. Each party hires an appraiser, the two appraisers select an umpire, and the panel determines the claim value. Cost: $500-2,000 for your appraiser. Often the fastest resolution.
- FL DFS Mediation: The Florida Department of Financial Services offers free mediation between policyholders and insurers. Takes 30-60 days.
- Litigation: Last resort. Under the 2022 reform, one-way attorney fees are eliminated for new policies, making litigation less favorable for policyholders than before. But for large claims with clear insurer bad faith, it remains an option.
We Help With the Claim Process
Our team works with Pinellas County insurance claims daily. We provide professional damage documentation, detailed estimates, adjuster meeting support, and supplement filing. Schedule a freeroof inspection and we'll help you navigate the entire process from documentation through completion.