Florida claims
The deadlines that shape a Florida property claim
How long you have to report a property insurance claim in Florida, when supplemental claims are due, and how quickly the insurer must respond and pay.
By Ricardo Arevalo, Florida Public Adjuster · Published
Why the dates matter
Florida law sets deadlines for both sides of a property insurance claim. Missing a notice deadline can bar a claim entirely, even when the damage is real. The rules below are the current ones in the Florida Statutes; older losses may follow earlier rules, and your policy can add its own conditions.
Your deadlines as the policyholder
Section 627.70132 sets the time limits for giving the insurer notice of a claim:
- New or reopened claim: within 1 year after the date of loss
- Supplemental claim, for additional damage from the same event or extra costs found while repairing: within 18 months after the date of loss
- For hurricanes and other weather events, the date of loss is the date of landfall or the date the event is verified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Within those limits, most policies still ask for prompt notice. Reporting early also makes it easier to document the damage before repairs.
The insurer’s deadlines
Section 627.70131 sets the insurer’s timeline once a claim is reported:
- Review and acknowledge your claim communications within 7 calendar days
- Begin its investigation within 7 days after receiving proof-of-loss statements
- Complete any physical inspection within 30 days after receiving proof-of-loss statements
- Send you any detailed estimate within 7 days after its adjuster generates it
- Pay or deny the claim, in whole or in part, within 60 days after receiving notice, unless factors beyond its control prevent it
The insurer must also explain in writing the basis for a payment, denial or partial denial. Payments made after the 60-day period generally accrue interest.
Keep your own timeline
A simple dated log makes these deadlines easier to follow. Write down the date of loss, the date you reported it, the claim number, each inspection and every letter or email from the insurer. Keep copies of everything you send.
If a deadline is close
If you are near the one-year or 18-month mark, do not wait to assemble a perfect file. Contact your insurer or a licensed professional promptly. RicardoPA can review the dates with you during a free evaluation; how a deadline applies depends on the policy, the date of loss and the facts of each claim.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a property insurance claim in Florida?
Under section 627.70132 of the Florida Statutes, notice of a new or reopened claim must be given to the insurer within 1 year after the date of loss. Your policy may also require prompt notice.
What is a supplemental claim?
A supplemental claim asks for additional payment on a claim already reported, for example when more damage from the same event is found or repairs cost more than estimated. In Florida, notice must be given within 18 months after the date of loss.
How long does the insurer have to pay or deny a claim?
The insurer must pay or deny the claim, in whole or in part, within 60 days after receiving notice, unless factors beyond its control prevent it.
General information only, based on Florida law at the date shown. It is not legal advice, and initial guidance does not replace an evaluation by a licensed public adjuster.
