Florida homeowners face storm damage risk every hurricane season from June 1 through November 30. Acting quickly and correctly after a storm protects your home and maximizes your insurance claim.
Steps after hurricane or storm damage in Florida:
- Safety first: Do not enter a structurally compromised home. If any structural damage is visible, contact your local building department — which often provides rapid post-storm assessment in FL.
- Document everything: Photo and video document all damage — exterior and interior. Date-stamp everything. This is critical for your insurance claim.
- Emergency tarping: Emergency tarping ($300–$800) by a licensed CCC contractor prevents secondary water damage while your claim is processed. Document before and after tarping.
- File your claim promptly: Florida law requires insurers to acknowledge claims within 14 days. Open your claim immediately after the storm.
- Get a contractor estimate: A licensed CCC contractor can document damage the adjuster misses and provide an insurance-ready estimate. You have the right to have your contractor present during the adjuster's inspection.
- Beware storm chasers: After major FL hurricanes, unlicensed out-of-state contractors flood the market. Verify CCC license at the FL DBPR before signing anything. Assignment of Benefits (AOB) contracts should be reviewed carefully — FL has had significant AOB abuse issues.