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Hurricane damage insurance claim: Florida steps and deadlines
By the Roofing of Miami team · Updated October 2026
In Florida, notice of a new or reopened hurricane claim must reach your insurer within 1 year of the date the hurricane made landfall, under Florida Statute 627.70132. A supplemental claim has 18 months. Flood is separate: most homeowners policies don't cover it, and the NFIP asks for a proof of loss within 60 days. Take photos before cleanup, tarp the roof to stop more damage, and keep every receipt.
Need a roof inspection for your claim?
A licensed roofer can document the damage. Free request, no obligation.
The first days after the storm
- Photograph and video the damage before you clean up (FEMA).
- Stop more damage: FEMA says to put a blue tarp on a damaged roof as quickly as possible.
- Save all repair receipts (FEMA).
- Report the claim to your insurer, and write down the claim number and every call.
Florida deadlines
- 1 year from the date of loss to give notice of a new or reopened claim.
- 18 months from the date of loss for a supplemental claim.
- For a hurricane, the date of loss is the date it made landfall.
- Flood (NFIP): submit the proof of loss within 60 days of the loss, or the time your adjuster gives you.
All of the Florida deadlines above come from Florida Statute 627.70132.
Who you can call
The Florida Department of Financial Services runs a free Insurance Consumer Helpline at 1-877-693-5236 (1-877-MY-FL-CFO). Its storm page says: after storm damage, don't sign anything, call the helpline first. On policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, Florida law (627.7152) no longer lets you assign your post-loss benefits to a contractor.
Before you rely on this
This guide is general information, not legal, insurance or engineering advice. In a storm, follow your county emergency managers and the National Hurricane Center. If you are told to evacuate, go.
Common questions
Claim questions
How long do I have to file a hurricane claim in Florida?
Notice of a new or reopened claim must be given within 1 year of the date of loss, which for a hurricane is the landfall date (Florida Statute 627.70132). Supplemental claims have 18 months.
Does my homeowners policy cover flood?
Most homeowners and renters policies do not, per FloodSmart (FEMA). Flood policies through the NFIP start 30 days after purchase.
When is the flood proof of loss due?
Within 60 days after the date of loss, per FEMA, or the timeframe your adjuster gives you.
Hurricane Prep
More of the hurricane-prep guide
Roof Check
What to look at before June, and the Florida roof-age insurance rule.
Shutters
Accordion, roll-down, panels, impact glass or plywood: how they compare.
Generator
Size it to what you need, and set it up so it can't hurt anyone.
Contractor Scams
The after-storm pitches that are illegal in Florida, and how to check a license.
Sources
- Florida Statutes 627.70132 (claim notice deadlines)
- Florida Statutes 627.7152 (assignment of benefits)
- FEMA: after the storm (photos, tarps, receipts)
- FEMA: submit the flood proof of loss within 60 days
- FloodSmart (FEMA): buy a flood policy
- Florida DFS: storm resources and helpline
Checked October 6, 2026. Official guidance changes; the linked source always wins over this page.