The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation reports that the 2024 hurricane season created over 329,000 residential property insurance claims statewide. If your home was hit by a hurricane, you need legal guidance, especially to file a claim. A hurricane claims lawyer in Orlando could push back on lowball offers and meet Florida’s strict deadlines.
Learn more about how Florida’s new filing deadlines may affect you. And, if your insurer is refusing to cooperate, we can help.
How Florida’s New Filing Deadlines Affect Hurricane Claims
Florida changed the rules in 2022. We’ve met countless Floridian homeowners who think they have years to file. They’re shocked when they discover otherwise. For weather events, the clock starts the day the storm made landfall, not the day you found the damage.
Under Florida Statute § 627.70132, you must give your insurer notice of a new or reopened hurricane claim within one year of the date of loss. The original timeline was three years before SB 2-A took effect on December 16, 2022. If you miss the one-year deadline, you sacrifice your right to compensation.
Florida also follows an 18-month deadline for supplemental claims. A supplemental claim is for extra damage you discover. This can only be filed after the original claim was adjusted. Plus, you have 18 months from the date of loss, not from the date you found the damage.
As an insurance client, you have a deadline to sue your insurer. If they won’t pay fairly, you have five years from the date of loss to file against them. Florida Statute § 95.11 sets the terms for a breach-of-contract lawsuit.
Did a storm hit your property? If you’re unsure which deadlines apply, book a free consultation. Our Orlando hurricane damage attorneys can help you determine your legal options.
Why So Many Hurricane Claims Get Denied
Unfortunately, insurance companies in Florida regularly deny hurricane claims. After Hurricane Helene in September 2024, 37,951 residential property claims closed without payment, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. These are a couple of common reasons insurers deny claims:
- Damage below the deductible
- No flood coverage
- Other coverage exclusions
- Late notice
A storm damage attorney in Orlando, FL could review your policy. They can help you push back on questionable denials and identify coverage.
What Insurers are Required to Do for You
Florida law sets specific rules for how insurers must handle your claim. If an insurer ignores deadlines, wrongfully denies a claim, or pressures you into a low settlement, they may be practicing in bad faith. Florida law gives you tools to push back, but the process is technical. When they break those rules, you may have grounds to act.
| Florida Law | Insurer’s Obligation | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fla. Stat. § 627.70131 | Acknowledge your claim | Within 7 days of receiving it |
| Fla. Stat. § 627.7142 | Send you a Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights | Within 14 days of your first claim communication |
| — | Pay or deny your claim, unless factors outside its control prevent it | Generally 60 days |
SB 2-A also eliminated another rule. Insurers are no longer automatically required to pay the attorney fees of a winning policyholder. That makes it more important to work with a hurricane insurance lawyer in Orlando who can build your case from the start.
What to Do Right After a Hurricane in Orlando, Florida
The steps you take in the first days after a storm shape the rest of your case.
- Stay safe first. Don’t enter a damaged or unstable building. Wait for utility crews to clear downed power lines.
- Document everything. Take photos and videos of every damaged area before you clean up. Save receipts for tarps, plywood, hotel stays, and emergency repairs.
- Notify your insurer quickly. Even with a one-year window, early notice triggers the insurer’s clock. Get the claim number in writing.
- Make temporary repairs to prevent more damage. Florida policies require you to “mitigate” further damage. But don’t make permanent repairs until the adjuster has seen the damage.
- Keep a record of your claim process by documenting every call, email, and visit.
- Get an independent inspection. The insurer’s adjuster works for them. An independent inspection, whether by a public adjuster, contractor, or attorney, gives you your own evidence.
Most importantly, you must talk to a lawyer before signing anything. A signed release could lock you out of a supplemental claim later. Our hurricane and flood damage legal team reviews all documents before you sign.
Common Questions About Hurricane Claims in Orlando, Florida
What does a hurricane claims lawyer in Orlando do?
A hurricane claims lawyer is your best advocate after a major storm. They review your policy, document your damage, and negotiate with insurers. They also file lawsuits when insurers wrongfully delay or deny your claim.
How long do I have to file a hurricane insurance claim in Florida?
You have one year from the date that the hurricane made landfall to file a new or reopened claim. However, you must file any supplemental claims within 18 months of the date of loss.
What is the deadline to sue an insurance company over a hurricane claim?
You generally have five years from the date of loss to file a breach-of-contract lawsuit against your insurer in Florida.
Can a hurricane claims lawyer in Orlando help if my claim was already denied?
Yes, an attorney could review the denial and identify wrongful or bad-faith conduct. They pursue the case through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
Does my homeowners’ insurance cover flooding from a hurricane?
Usually not. Standard homeowners’ policies exclude flood damage. You generally need a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurer.
What if my insurer offered far less than my repair estimate?
Underpayment is one of the most common reasons people hire an Orlando hurricane damage attorney. You may have grounds to negotiate or pursue legal action under Florida law.
Trust Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Today
For more than 20 years, we’ve fought for clients across the Southeast, recovering over $2 billion nationwide. Hurricane claims in Florida move on tight deadlines. Insurers are paying out fewer claims than before. Schedule a free case review today.
Reviewed by Alexander Shunnarah, Attorney and Chief Executive Officer at Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys on 2026-04-30.
