Insurance Claims Resource Center

Navigating a property damage insurance claim in Florida is stressful, confusing, and often adversarial. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters, estimators, and attorneys working to manage costs. You deserve the same level of expertise on your side. This resource center consolidates everything WrightWay has learned from managing thousands of insurance claims across Southwest Florida - so you can protect your claim and your recovery.

Step 1: Filing Your Claim

When to File

File your claim as soon as possible after discovering damage. Florida law and your policy require prompt notification - ideally within 24–72 hours. For hurricane-related claims, specific statutory deadlines apply and are strictly enforced.

How to File

1. Call your insurance company’s claims hotline (found on your policy declarations page or ID card). Most carriers have 24/7 lines.
2. Provide basic information: your policy number, date of loss, brief description of damage, and contact information.
3. Request your claim number and the name/phone number of your assigned adjuster.
4. Ask about emergency mitigation provisions. Your policy requires you to prevent further damage - extraction, tarping, and board-up are covered expenses.
5. Follow up in writing with an email summarizing the call and your claim number.

Step 2: Documenting Your Damage

Documentation is the foundation of every successful insurance claim. The more thorough your documentation, the stronger your position.

• Photographs: Wide-angle shots of each affected room PLUS close-ups of specific damage. Include the damage source (broken pipe, roof breach, fire origin).
• Video: Walk through the property narrating the damage. Video captures context that photos cannot.
• Written inventory: List every damaged item with description, approximate age, original cost, and estimated replacement cost. Include serial numbers for electronics.
• Keep all receipts: Emergency repairs, hotel stays, meals, clothing, transportation - your Additional Living Expenses (ALE) are typically covered.
• Do not throw anything away until your adjuster has inspected or you have thoroughly documented it with photos.

Pro tip: WrightWay’s ERP members have professional Matterport 3D documentation of their property taken before the loss - the most powerful evidence possible for proving pre-loss condition.

Step 3: The Adjuster Inspection

Your insurance company will assign an adjuster to inspect the damage. Under Florida law, insurers must acknowledge your claim within 14 days and begin investigation within 45 days.

Types of Adjusters

• Staff Adjuster - an employee of your insurance company
• Independent Adjuster (IA) - a contractor hired by the insurance company. Common during catastrophes when staff adjusters are overwhelmed.
• Public Adjuster (PA) - a licensed professional you hire to represent your interests. Charges 10–20% of the settlement but can significantly increase recovery on complex claims.

Preparing for the Inspection

• Have your documentation organized - photos, video, inventory lists, receipts
• Walk through the damage with the adjuster. Point out areas they might miss (behind walls, under floors, in attics)
• Have your restoration company present. WrightWay project managers routinely attend adjuster inspections to ensure the full scope is captured.
• Do not sign anything you do not fully understand
• Take notes during the inspection - what was inspected, what was said, any concerns raised

Step 4: Understanding Your Estimate

Xactimate: The Industry Standard

Xactimate is the estimating software used by virtually all insurance companies and professional restoration contractors. It contains localized pricing databases for every material, labor task, and equipment cost.

A proper Xactimate estimate lists every line item - water extraction, equipment placement, monitoring, demolition, drywall, painting, flooring - with material costs, labor hours, and equipment charges. WrightWay writes all estimates in Xactimate format, ensuring your claim speaks the same language as your adjuster’s estimate.

When the Estimate Is Too Low

Initial adjuster estimates often understate the scope. This is sometimes intentional, sometimes because early inspections cannot capture hidden damage. Your restoration company’s estimate serves as a critical counterpoint.

Step 5: Supplements

A “supplement” is an additional request for covered work that was not included in the original estimate. Supplements are common and expected - hidden damage is routinely discovered during restoration:

• Hidden moisture behind walls, under tile, or in subfloor discovered during demolition
• Extended drying beyond the initial estimate due to material saturation
• Mold discovery behind removed drywall
• Code upgrades required by Florida Building Code during reconstruction
• Material matching - replacing a larger area to maintain visual continuity

WrightWay’s estimating team handles the entire supplement process - documenting additional work, preparing Xactimate line items, and submitting thorough supporting evidence to your adjuster.

Step 6: Denied or Underpaid Claims

If your claim is denied or the settlement is significantly less than the cost of proper restoration, you have options under Florida law:

• Request reconsideration - provide additional documentation supporting your claim
• Invoke appraisal - most policies include an appraisal clause for disputes over the amount of loss
• File a complaint with Florida DFS at MyFloridaCFO.com
• Hire a public adjuster to re-inspect and negotiate on your behalf (10–20% of settlement)
• Consult an insurance attorney specializing in Florida property claims

Florida-Specific Insurance Facts

• Hurricane deductible: 2–10% of dwelling coverage, separate from your all-other-perils deductible
• Flood insurance: NOT included in standard homeowner policies. Requires NFIP or private flood policy.
• Wind vs. flood: After hurricanes, damage may fall under two separate policies requiring two separate claims
• Citizens Insurance: Florida’s insurer of last resort, with specific terms and assessment provisions
• AOB eliminated (2022): Homeowners now work directly with carriers; contractors bill through direction-to-pay
• Proof of loss deadlines: Some policies require a sworn proof of loss within a specific period - missing it can jeopardize your claim
• Mold sublimits: Many Florida policies cap mold coverage at $10,000–$50,000
• Ordinance or law: Covers bringing a damaged building up to current code - critical in Florida where codes update frequently

Insurance Claims FAQ

Will my insurance cover the cost of restoration?

Most standard homeowner policies cover sudden and accidental damage from water (burst pipes, appliance failures), fire, smoke, and wind. Flood damage requires a separate policy. Gradual damage and deferred maintenance are typically excluded.

Do I need to pay my deductible to the restoration company?

Your deductible is your financial responsibility. Reputable restoration companies do not waive, absorb, or pay deductibles - doing so is insurance fraud in Florida.

What is the role of an insurance adjuster?

The adjuster inspects damage, determines the cause, evaluates the scope, and estimates repair costs on behalf of the insurance company. Their estimate forms the basis of your settlement offer.

Should I get my own estimate?

Yes. Your restoration contractor’s Xactimate estimate, prepared by someone who has actually performed the work, is the most important counterpoint to the adjuster’s estimate. WrightWay provides this at no additional cost.

What if my insurance claim is denied?

Request a written explanation of the denial. Provide additional documentation. You can invoke the appraisal clause, file a complaint with Florida DFS, hire a public adjuster, or consult an insurance attorney.

How can I verify if an adjuster is licensed?

Search the Florida Department of Financial Services license database at MyFloridaCFO.com. All adjusters operating in Florida must hold a valid license.

What legal rights do I have in insurance disputes?

Florida law provides specific protections including required response timelines (14-day acknowledgment, 45-day investigation), the right to appraisal, and the ability to file complaints with the Department of Financial Services.

How can I ensure a fair settlement after a hurricane?

Document everything thoroughly, file promptly, understand your deductible and coverage limits, have your restoration company present at the adjuster inspection, and don’t accept the first offer if it doesn’t cover the full scope of damage.