Straight answers to the questions Florida homeowners ask most about property insurance claims — from a Tampa attorney who handles denied, delayed, and underpaid claims every day.
What should I do first after hurricane damage to my Florida home?
Document everything with photos and video before you touch anything, then take reasonable steps to protect the property from further damage — tarping a roof, drying out interiors, boarding broken windows. Notify your insurance company promptly. Your policy’s ‘duties after loss’ require both cooperation and mitigation, and failing either gives the carrier an excuse to deny.
What is a ‘date of loss’ and why does it matter for my roof claim?
The date of loss is the specific date the damage occurred. Carriers use it to check whether your policy was in force, whether the claim was filed on time, and which storm or event caused the damage. A vague or wrong date of loss is one of the easiest ways a valid roof claim gets denied — pin it to a specific storm or event with evidence.
Do I have to give a recorded statement to my insurance company?
Many policies require your cooperation, which can include a recorded statement — but how you handle it matters enormously. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that lock you into statements they can use against you later. You can and should prepare carefully, and having an attorney involved before the statement is often the difference between a paid claim and a denial.
What is an examination under oath (EUO)?
An EUO is a formal, sworn interrogation conducted by the insurance company’s lawyer — far more serious than a recorded statement. It usually signals the carrier is building a case to deny your claim, often for alleged misrepresentation or fraud. Never attend an EUO without an attorney; what you say under oath can sink not just the claim but expose you to a fraud referral.
What does my ‘duty to mitigate’ mean after property damage?
Your policy requires you to protect the property from further harm after a loss — the classic example is tarping a damaged roof. If you let rain pour in for weeks without acting, the carrier can deny the resulting damage as your fault, not the storm’s. Mitigate first, argue about the bill later, and keep every receipt.
The insurance company’s engineer says there’s no damage. What now?
Carrier-hired engineers work for the carrier, not you. Their reports frequently minimize or deny legitimate damage. You are entitled to your own inspections and expert opinions, and engineer disputes are one of the most common battlegrounds in Florida roof and hurricane claims. Don’t accept a denial built on a one-sided report.
How long do I have to file a property damage claim in Florida?
Your policy sets the notice deadline — often ‘prompt’ notice is required — and Florida law sets separate deadlines for filing suit. Waiting months to report damage gives the carrier its favorite defense: late notice and prejudice. Report early, even if you’re still assessing the full extent.
My claim was denied. Is that the end?
No. Denials are frequently reversed through supplemental claims, appraisals, mediation, or litigation. Carriers deny claims they know are defensible because a large share of policyholders simply give up. An attorney who handles first-party property claims can tell you honestly whether your denial is worth fighting — most work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless there’s a recovery.
Denied, delayed, or underpaid in Florida?
Free consultation: call or text 561-206-2949
Louis P. Meyer, Esq. | Kanner & Pintaluga
100 S. Ashley Drive, Suite 610, Tampa, FL 33602
Attorney advertising. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.