Florida Property Insurance Claims Cheat Sheet

Key deadlines

Carrier adjustment deadlines

The 60-day period is the carrier’s adjustment clock, not a universal deadline requiring the insured to submit all damages within 60 days. Send available estimates early so the carrier can evaluate them before its determination.

Proof of loss and sworn proof of loss

Your policy reminder: Many policies require a sworn proof of loss within 60 days of the carrier’s request. Your State Farm and Castle Key reminder flags forms the carrier may interpret as imposing an automatic submission obligation. Verify the issued policy and endorsements; do not assume every form waits for a request or starts its deadline on the same event. Calendar the earliest applicable date and obtain any extension in writing.

Carrier clocks: Receipt of proof-of-loss statements triggers investigation within 7 days under § 627.70131(3)(a), subject to the stated exceptions. If the investigation involves a physical inspection, subsection (3)(b) requires it within 30 days after receipt. A completed proof of loss plus the insured’s written request invokes the 30-day coverage or investigation-status response described in § 626.9541(1)(i)3.e. and § 627.7142. Partial coverage responses must identify the dollar amount or extent of coverage. An investigation-status response is permitted; this is not an unconditional 30-day payment deadline.

Submission practice: Use the required form, complete the required information, obtain signatures and notarization if required, attach the estimate or inventory, and retain proof of delivery. Send an express written request for the statutory response with the submission. Ask the carrier to identify any claimed deficiency promptly and explain any further information needed; see § 626.9541(1)(i)3.g.–h. Correct actual deficiencies promptly without assuming the first delivery satisfied every policy condition.

Suggested cover email: “Attached is the insured’s completed [sworn] proof of loss and supporting [estimate/inventory] for claim [number]. Under § 626.9541(1)(i)3.e. and § 627.7142, we request written confirmation of full or partial coverage, including the dollar amount or extent of partial coverage, or written confirmation that the claim remains under investigation, within 30 days after submission of this completed proof of loss. Please confirm receipt and promptly identify any claimed deficiency or additional information needed.”

Separate payment clock: Section 627.70131(7)(a) generally runs from receipt of claim notice. Submitting proof of loss for an existing claim does not itself automatically restart that clock. A submission reporting a qualifying new supplement may trigger the supplemental-claim clock; assess its substance. Failure to respond within 30 days does not automatically accept the claimed amount or establish coverage. Section 626.9541(1)(i)3 uses a general business practice standard, but § 624.155(1) does not require that showing for its civil remedy; other prerequisites still apply.

Present all known damage and supporting costs

Policy duties: Review and comply with prompt notice, cooperation, inspection, document production, inventory, and sworn proof-of-loss requirements. Disclose all known damage accurately; do not hold back known components for a later demand. The precise duty and consequences depend on the policy and facts.

Recommended submission: Identify the affected roof, each interior room, other structures, personal property, mitigation work, and additional living expenses. Include applicable code upgrade costs, estimates, photographs, reports, receipts, invoices, contracts, and repair records. Explain what is still being investigated and provide updates promptly.

New damage or additional costs: Send specific written notice immediately, identify the same loss and peril, and attach the available support. A general reservation of the right to supplement is not a substitute for reporting the additional damage. Do not assume an open claim, ongoing repairs, appraisal, or negotiations extend the 18-month limit.

Confirm every material communication in writing

Recommended practice: Email the carrier’s designated claims address or use its required portal, retain delivery evidence, and confirm telephone calls and inspections the same day. Record the date, participants, damage discussed, documents delivered, requests, promises, and next steps. Preserve the original email and attachments, portal confirmations, and a chronological claim log.

Legal distinction: Florida does not impose a blanket insured duty to conduct every communication by email. Section 627.70131(4) requires the insurer to retain dated claim records. Written confirmation helps prove notice, scope, cooperation, and compliance with policy conditions.

Suggested confirmation: “This confirms our discussion on [date] concerning claim [number] and loss [date]. We reported [specific damage] and submitted [documents]. You requested [items] and advised [next action/date]. Please confirm receipt and identify any additional information needed.”

Protect the adjustment clock and evidence

Respond promptly to material information requests. Under § 627.70131(8)(b), failure to supply requested material information within 10 days of receipt can toll the carrier’s requirements if the request was sent at least 15 days before its payment deadline. Mediation or policy ADR also tolls this section. These provisions do not automatically toll claim notice or suit deadlines.

Mitigate and document. Make necessary emergency repairs, photograph before and after, retain receipts, and preserve damaged material when feasible. Provide an inspection opportunity before permanent repairs where required by the policy. Section 627.7142 recommends these steps. Separate coverage, repair scope, valuation, and deductible disputes in the demand.

Late payment interest: Qualifying late initial or supplemental payments accrue interest under § 55.03 from receipt of claim notice, subject to statutory exceptions. Section 627.70131(7)(a) requires an election if prejudgment interest is also available.

Additional payment and presuit deadlines

These clocks supplement the initial claim, proof of loss, and five-year breach-of-contract deadlines on page 1. Days are calendar days unless the statute expressly says business days.

Adjustment extensions and deadlines without a day count

OIR may grant up to 30 additional days for payment/denial under qualifying events and an applicable order; an emergency declaration alone is not an automatic extension. See § 627.70131(5)(a)1. Track § 627.70131(8) tolling and its end date separately.

Prompt duties also matter: § 626.9541(1)(i)3.c., f.–h. addresses prompt communications, written denial/compromise explanations, notice of additional information, and explanation of why it is needed. These provisions supply no universal numerical day count. Under applicable RCV coverage, § 627.7011(3)(a) requires remaining dwelling amounts as work is performed and expenses are incurred; it does not set a universal 180-day repair deadline.

Special notice rules and civil remedy deadlines

Bad faith accrual: § 624.1551 imposes an adverse adjudication and final judgment/decree prerequisite for property claims under § 624.155(1)(b). A CRN’s expiration alone does not satisfy it. Separately determine the limitation period and accrual of the particular extracontractual claim.