When a hurricane, flood, fire, or storm causes damage to your home, the last thing you want is to wait around for your insurance company to take action. Property damage puts families in incredibly vulnerable positions—dealing with unsafe living conditions, mounting repair costs, and temporary housing struggles.
Every day, a claim dragging on feels like another day of stress and uncertainty. In Florida, where natural disasters are all too common, delays in processing property damage claims are unfortunately a widespread issue.
But how long should a property damage claim take in Florida? The answer depends on multiple factors, including state law, the specifics of your insurance policy, and the insurer’s responsiveness.
While Florida statutes impose certain deadlines on insurers, many companies find ways to stall, delay, or underpay. That’s why understanding the expected timeline—and knowing what to do if it’s not followed—is so important.
This blog breaks down the typical timeline of a property damage claim in Florida, the legal deadlines insurance companies are supposed to follow, and what to do if your claim is stuck in limbo. If you’re waiting on a resolution and starting to feel ignored, you’re not alone, and you do have options.
If your property has been damaged and you’re struggling to get a fair response from your insurance company, don’t face this challenge alone. Our team of Florida property damage lawyers have extensive experience standing up to insurance companies and making sure Florida homeowners get the justice and compensation they deserve.
The General Timeline of a Florida Property Damage Claim
Once you file a property damage claim in Florida, a clear legal timeline begins. Florida insurance companies are required by law to follow specific steps when responding to claims. While policies may vary slightly, most follow a general process, which includes acknowledgment, inspection, investigation, and either payment or denial.
The process typically begins when you report the loss to your insurance company. They are required to acknowledge your claim within 14 days. That acknowledgment doesn’t mean payment—it simply means the company must confirm receipt of your claim and begin the process.
Next, the insurer sends an adjuster to inspect your property. This usually happens within 7 to 20 days, depending on the complexity of the damage and the availability of adjusters, especially during hurricane season, when high claim volumes can slow things down.
After inspecting the damage and reviewing the documentation you’ve provided, the insurer has 60 days from the time it receives your “proof of loss” to either pay or deny the claim. If approved, a check should follow shortly. If denied, the company must explain the reason in writing.
In a perfect world, this entire process would take around 30 to 90 days. In reality, many homeowners wait far longer, especially if insurers drag their feet or dispute the claim’s value.
Florida Law and Deadlines That Affect Your Claim
Florida law outlines clear obligations that insurance companies must meet once a property damage claim is filed. These deadlines are in place to protect homeowners from unnecessary delays and provide a level of accountability for insurers. When companies miss these deadlines, they may be acting in bad faith—something Florida law does not take lightly.
Here are the key legal deadlines that apply to most property damage claims in Florida:
- 14 days: The insurer must acknowledge receipt of your claim.
- 30 days: The insurer must begin investigating the loss.
- 60 days: The insurer must pay or deny your claim after receiving the sworn proof of loss.
- 1 year: Homeowners have one year from the date of loss to file a claim.
- 18 months: You have up to 18 months to file a supplemental claim if additional damage is discovered.
It’s worth noting that these deadlines were strengthened after years of consumer complaints and widespread delays, especially following major hurricanes. Even with these rules in place, some insurers attempt to bend them, delay communication, or request repeat documentation to reset the clock.
Homeowners who understand these laws are in a stronger position to advocate for themselves. If your insurance company fails to meet these basic deadlines, it may be time to push back or get legal help to enforce your rights.
What Causes Delays in Florida Property Damage Claims?
While Florida law sets firm deadlines for how long insurers have to act, delays are still incredibly common. Many homeowners find themselves waiting far longer than they should for answers or fair compensation. Understanding the most common causes of these delays can help you stay proactive and avoid falling into unnecessary traps.
Here are some of the main reasons claims get delayed:
- High volume of claims: After major storms or hurricanes, insurers may be flooded with thousands of claims. This often leads to backlogs and slower response times.
- Incomplete or unclear documentation: If the proof of loss, estimates, or photos are missing or unclear, the insurer may stall while requesting more information.
- Disputes over damage value: Insurers may challenge your contractor’s estimate or claim that damage was due to pre-existing conditions, not the covered event.
- Requests for repeat inspections: Some insurers delay decisions by sending multiple adjusters or reassigning your claim to different representatives.
- Internal insurer tactics: Unfortunately, some insurance companies deliberately delay claims to pressure homeowners into accepting lower settlements or giving up.
Even if you’ve submitted everything properly and followed up regularly, your claim could still stall for weeks or months. If your insurer’s excuses start sounding vague or repetitive, it’s often a red flag that they’re trying to wear you down.
How to Tell If Your Insurer Is Acting in Bad Faith
Not every delay is illegal, but when an insurer fails to follow Florida law—or deliberately undermines your claim—it could amount to bad faith.
This refers to any dishonest or unfair practice by your insurance company to avoid paying a valid claim. In Florida, policyholders have the right to challenge bad faith actions and may be entitled to additional damages beyond the value of the claim.
Here are warning signs your insurer may be acting in bad faith:
- Unreasonable delays despite proper documentation and repeated follow-ups
- Failure to communicate within the timeframes required by law
- Changing the reason for denial multiple times or making unclear demands
- Lowball settlement offers without justification
- Refusing to explain why certain parts of your damage are not covered
- Ignoring or downplaying clear evidence like photos, videos, or contractor estimates
Bad faith is more than just poor customer service—it’s a legal issue. If you suspect your insurance company is purposely dragging out your claim, withholding payment, or undervaluing your damage, it may be time to take legal action.
A skilled property damage attorney can help investigate the insurer’s actions and hold them accountable under Florida’s insurance laws.
What to Do If Your Claim Is Taking Too Long
If your property damage claim is dragging on for months with no resolution—or you’re getting the runaround from your insurer—you don’t have to just wait and hope for the best. Florida homeowners have legal rights, and there are concrete steps you can take to move things forward.
Here’s what to do if your claim is taking too long:
- Follow up in writing: Always communicate with your insurance company in writing (email or certified mail) to document delays and unanswered questions.
- Review your policy: Look closely at your coverage, deadlines, and duties after a loss. Make sure you’ve submitted everything required, including a sworn proof of loss.
- Request a timeline: Ask your adjuster or claims representative for a written timeline of next steps and when you can expect a decision.
- Keep detailed records: Save all emails, letters, adjuster reports, photos, contractor estimates, and receipts. This creates a paper trail that can be used if legal action is needed.
- File a complaint: You can submit a formal complaint with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) if your insurer isn’t responding or violating state deadlines.
- Consult a property damage lawyer: If your claim has gone well beyond the legal deadlines or you’re being lowballed, an attorney can step in to demand fair treatment—or file suit, if necessary.
Waiting months for a fair payout isn’t just frustrating—it’s often avoidable. The sooner you take action, the more pressure your insurer will feel to resolve your claim properly and promptly.
Why Insurance Companies Often Undervalue or Stall High-Dollar Claims
In Florida, many homeowners discover that the more expensive the claim, the slower and more complicated the process becomes. While small repairs for things like fence damage or minor roof leaks may be processed quickly, larger claims—especially those involving structural issues, water intrusion, or total roof replacement—often trigger delays, disputes, or denials.
Insurance companies have a financial incentive to pay as little as possible. The more money on the line, the more scrutiny your claim may face. Insurers might try to reduce their liability by:
- Disputing the cause of damage (e.g., claiming it’s due to wear and tear, not the storm)
- Hiring their own engineers or adjusters who offer lower repair estimates
- Delaying inspections or sending multiple adjusters to slow down the timeline
- Asking for repetitive documentation even after you’ve submitted it
It’s not uncommon for insurers to approve only part of the work—for example, paying for a few roof shingles instead of an entire replacement, even if the whole roof was damaged. This tactic often forces homeowners to negotiate, file supplemental claims, or escalate the dispute.
The unfortunate reality is that Florida’s insurance landscape favors insurers unless policyholders push back. The longer a claim is delayed, the more pressure homeowners feel to accept less than they’re owed. Being informed about these patterns helps you prepare for the possibility and respond appropriately.
Supplemental Claims and How They Affect Your Timeline
Not all damage is visible right away. In many cases, homeowners discover additional problems weeks or months after the original claim, especially when dealing with water damage, mold, or hidden structural issues. Florida law allows you to file a supplemental claim, which can extend the process but also ensures you’re fully compensated for all losses.
A supplemental claim is a request for additional payment based on new information. For example:
- A contractor finds damage behind walls or under flooring that wasn’t visible during the first inspection
- The original repair costs come in higher than expected
- Additional storms cause further damage before repairs are completed
Florida gives you 18 months from the date of loss to file a supplemental claim. While that adds time to your claim’s overall duration, it can be necessary if your initial payment wasn’t enough to cover full restoration.
However, supplemental claims are often scrutinized closely by insurers. They may delay reassessment, dispute your contractor’s findings, or push back on pricing. To avoid further delays:
- Keep detailed repair records and contractor estimates
- Document new or worsening damage with photos and video
- Notify your insurer promptly and in writing when supplemental issues arise
Although a supplemental claim can stretch out the timeline, it ensures that your repairs are done right and that you’re not left footing the bill for damage that should be covered.
When Should You Consider Legal Help for a Delayed Claim?
If your property damage claim has been pending for more than a few months, or if you’ve hit a wall with unreturned calls, lowball offers, or shifting excuses, it may be time to consider legal help. In Florida, property damage attorneys help homeowners hold insurers accountable when they drag their feet or deny valid claims.
Legal intervention doesn’t mean you’re filing a lawsuit right away. In many cases, a well-documented demand letter from an attorney is enough to prompt action. Insurers know that legal representation levels the playing field—and may choose to settle rather than risk litigation.
Here’s when it might make sense to contact a lawyer:
- Your insurer missed the 14, 30, or 60-day deadlines set by Florida law
- You’ve provided everything they asked for, but still don’t have a resolution
- You’re being offered a settlement that won’t cover even basic repairs
- Your adjuster is unresponsive or keeps changing the story
- You’ve received a partial denial or unexplained delay
Most property damage attorneys offer free consultations, and some work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if you recover money. Legal support can be the push your claim needs to finally move forward or to recover the full value of your loss.
Don’t Let Delays Derail Your Property Damage Claim
Insurance delays in Florida aren’t just frustrating—they can leave you vulnerable. The longer you wait for compensation, the more your property suffers, the more repair costs rise, and the harder it becomes to get what you’re owed. While the law gives insurers specific deadlines, it’s up to you to make sure they’re followed. And when they’re not, you have options.
At Your Insurance Attorney, we help homeowners across Florida stand up to insurers that delay, underpay, or deny legitimate claims. Our legal team understands how property damage claims work in this state, from roof damage and water intrusion to hurricane loss and structural failure. We don’t let insurance companies hide behind red tape or stall tactics.
If your claim is taking too long—or you’ve received an unfair denial—it’s time to take action. We offer free consultations and are ready to review your situation, no strings attached. Call us today at:
- Florida (Miami): (888) 570-5677
- Florida (Maitland): (888) 423-5677
Justice for you, that’s what we do.
