With over 10 years of insurance claim expertise, Ibis Contracting walks you through exactly how to file a roof insurance claim in Florida—so you get the payout you deserve.
The Bottom Line Up Front
If your Orlando or Tampa area roof has storm damage, you have 12 months from the date of loss to notify your insurance company. Miss that deadline, and you could lose your right to any compensation—permanently. Florida’s insurance laws changed dramatically in 2022, and most homeowners don’t know they’re working with a much shorter window than before.
Here’s what you need to know right now: Document everything immediately, notify your insurer within days (not weeks), and get a licensed roofing contractor involved early. The insurance adjuster works for the insurance company, not you—and that difference matters when thousands of dollars are on the line.
At Ibis Contracting, we’ve guided Central Florida homeowners through hundreds of roof insurance claims over the past two decades. This guide gives you the exact process we use to help our customers navigate Florida’s complex insurance landscape and get their roofs properly repaired or replaced.
Understanding Florida’s Roof Insurance Claim Deadlines (2025 Rules)
Florida completely overhauled its insurance claim deadlines in December 2022. If you’re still operating under the old two-year rule, you’re already behind.
Current Filing Deadlines You Must Know
Initial or Reopened Claims: You have 1 year from the date of loss to give your insurer notice of damage. For hurricane or storm damage, the “date of loss” is the actual date the storm hit—not when you discovered the damage.
Supplemental Claims: If you discover additional damage after filing your initial claim, you have 18 months from the original date of loss to file a supplemental claim for that newly discovered damage.
Insurance Company Response Times: Once you file, your insurance company has strict deadlines too. They must acknowledge your claim within 7 days, conduct a physical inspection within 30 days of receiving your proof-of-loss, and generally pay or deny your claim within 60 days.
Real Examples from Recent Central Florida Storms
If Hurricane Milton damaged your Orlando home on October 9, 2024, your deadline to file the initial claim is October 9, 2025. For any supplemental damage discovered during repairs, you’d have until April 9, 2026.
These aren’t suggestions—they’re hard deadlines written into Florida Statute 627.70132. Miss them, and insurance companies will use the “late notice defense” to deny your entire claim.
What Your Florida Homeowners Insurance Actually Covers
Before you file anything, you need to understand what your policy covers. Not all roof damage is covered equally in Florida, and insurance companies know exactly which words to use to deny claims.
Wind Damage vs. Flood Damage: The Critical Distinction
Your standard homeowners insurance policy covers wind damage—missing shingles, torn underlayment, structural damage from high winds. But that same policy explicitly excludes flooding.
This distinction becomes a weapon during hurricane claims. If your Orlando roof leaked during Hurricane Milton, the insurance company might argue the water damage came from flooding (excluded) rather than wind-driven rain through a wind-damaged roof (covered). It’s why documentation and a professional roofing inspection are non-negotiable.
The 15-Year Roof Age Rule
Florida law now allows insurance companies to require inspections for roofs 15 years or older. If your roof can’t demonstrate at least five years of remaining useful life, insurers can deny coverage or refuse to renew your policy entirely.
For Tampa and Orlando homeowners with aging roofs, this means proactive inspections before storm season—not after damage occurs. Ibis Contracting performs detailed roof inspections that document your roof’s condition, giving you ammunition if an insurance company tries to claim pre-existing conditions.
Understanding Your Deductible Structure
Most Central Florida homeowners have a percentage-based hurricane deductible, typically 2-5% of your home’s insured value. On a $300,000 policy with a 2% deductible, you’re paying the first $6,000 out of pocket.
If your damage estimate is close to that deductible amount, filing might not make financial sense—and could trigger a rate increase. This is where working with a contractor who understands the insurance math helps you make the right decision.
Step 1: Document Everything Immediately (Before You Call Anyone)
The first 48 hours after roof damage are critical. What you document now directly impacts whether your claim gets approved or denied.
Your Documentation Checklist
Exterior Photos: Take wide shots of your entire roof from all four sides of your home. Then capture close-ups of every damaged area—missing shingles, lifted edges, punctures, granule loss. Use your phone’s timestamp feature or include a newspaper in the frame.
Interior Damage: Document every water stain on ceilings, wet insulation, damaged drywall, soaked flooring. Insurance companies need to see the full scope of damage, not just the roof surface.
Before and After: If you have any photos of your roof before the storm (home inspections, real estate listings, previous repairs), compile those immediately. They establish the roof’s pre-storm condition.
Video Walkthrough: A narrated video tour captures details you might miss in photos. Walk around your property describing what you see, when you discovered it, and any immediate damage.
What Not to Do
Don’t throw away damaged materials until the adjuster inspects. Don’t start repairs without emergency tarping approval. Don’t sign anything from your insurance company without reading it completely—especially documents that mention “final settlement” or “full compensation.”
If your Orlando or Tampa home has active leaking, you have a duty to mitigate further damage. This is where emergency tarping comes in. Call a licensed contractor like Ibis Contracting to secure the damaged area immediately. Keep all receipts—mitigation costs are typically covered under your policy.
Step 2: Notify Your Insurance Company (Do This Within 72 Hours)
Florida law requires “prompt notice” of property damage. While the statute gives you a year to formally file, insurance companies expect notification within 24-72 hours of discovering damage. Delays give them ammunition to question the damage timeline.
What to Say During Your Initial Call
Keep this first call short and factual. You’re establishing the claim, not negotiating it.
“I’m calling to report roof damage to my property at [address] that occurred on [date] during [storm name/event]. My policy number is [number]. The damage includes [brief description—missing shingles, water intrusion, structural damage]. I need to start a claim and get an adjuster assigned.”
Document Everything: Write down who you spoke with, their direct phone number, the date and time, and your claim number. This documentation protects you if the insurance company later claims you didn’t report promptly.
What They’ll Send You Next
Within seven days, your insurance company must acknowledge your claim and send you necessary claim forms and instructions. These typically include a proof-of-loss form, a sworn statement requirement, and documentation guidelines.
Read every word. Insurance companies deliberately use confusing language. If something says “you agree this is the full extent of damage” or includes the word “final,” stop and get a second opinion before signing.
Step 3: Get a Professional Roofing Inspection (Before the Adjuster Arrives)
Here’s what most Orlando and Tampa homeowners don’t realize: the insurance adjuster is not a roofing expert. They’re a generalist trained to evaluate damage—and minimize payouts.
Why You Need Your Own Professional Assessment
A licensed roofing contractor like Ibis Contracting can identify damage an adjuster will miss. Compromised decking. Failed flashing. Stress cracks that will become major leaks in six months. Inadequate ventilation that contributed to storm damage. Code violations from previous installations.
When we inspect for insurance claims, we document everything with the same detail the insurance company will use—except we’re working for you, not them. We create a detailed estimate that reflects actual repair costs in the Central Florida market, not the insurance company’s outdated pricing software.
The Joint Inspection Strategy
Always have your roofing contractor present during the adjuster’s inspection. The adjuster might walk past damage your contractor immediately spots. Having a professional there to point out issues in real-time means they get documented in the adjuster’s report—making them much harder to dispute later.
At Ibis Contracting, we’ve attended hundreds of adjuster meetings. We know what adjusters look for, what they typically miss, and how to communicate damage in terms that get approved.
Step 4: Submit Your Proof of Loss (Complete and Detailed)
After the inspection, you’ll need to submit a sworn proof-of-loss statement within your policy’s timeframe (typically 60 days, but check your specific policy). This document officially tells the insurance company what you’re claiming and how much it costs to fix.
What to Include in Your Submission
Your Professional Contractor’s Estimate: A detailed, line-item breakdown showing materials, labor, permits, and code compliance upgrades. This isn’t a back-of-napkin number—it’s a comprehensive bid that accounts for Central Florida building codes and current market pricing.
All Documentation: Every photo, video, receipt for emergency repairs, and communication record. Organize this chronologically so the adjuster can follow the damage timeline clearly.
Comparative Estimates: If possible, get 2-3 estimates from licensed roofing contractors. This proves the insurance company’s estimate is below market rate if they try to lowball you.
The 25% Rule Change You Need to Understand
Florida used to require full roof replacement if more than 25% of your roof was damaged within 12 months. That rule was eliminated in 2022. Now, if your roof meets 2007 Florida Building Code standards (or newer), insurance companies can choose to pay only for repairs—even if replacing the entire roof makes more sense.
This is where having a contractor who understands insurance language helps. We can document why a full replacement is necessary due to matching issues, warranty concerns, or code compliance—using language that triggers coverage rather than giving the insurance company an out.
Step 5: Review the Settlement Offer Carefully (Most First Offers Are Low)
When the insurance company sends their settlement offer, expect it to be less than your contractor’s estimate. Sometimes significantly less. This isn’t necessarily bad faith—it’s standard insurance company practice.
Common Lowball Tactics to Watch For
Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost: Many policies pay actual cash value first (depreciated value), with replacement cost paid after repairs are complete. Make sure you understand which you’re receiving.
Matching Requirements Ignored: If your roof uses discontinued shingles, replacing just one section creates a patchwork appearance. Insurance should cover the cost difference to maintain uniform appearance—but they rarely offer this without being asked.
Permit and Code Upgrade Costs Excluded: Florida building codes require specific materials and installation methods. If your roof doesn’t meet current code, bringing it up to standard is part of the covered repair. Insurance companies often exclude this.
Square Footage Errors: We regularly find insurance estimates that undercount the actual roof area by 10-20%. Those “minor” discrepancies translate to thousands in underpayment.
How to Negotiate (or When to Escalate)
Submit your contractor’s detailed estimate along with a written explanation of every discrepancy between the insurance company’s offer and actual repair costs. Include photos that support higher-cost items.
If the insurance company won’t budge, Florida law provides two formal escalation paths: mediation (through the Florida Department of Financial Services) and appraisal. Both can be requested if negotiations stall, leveling the playing field between you and a billion-dollar insurance company.
The Assignment of Benefits Ban: What You Need to Know
Before 2022, many Florida homeowners signed Assignment of Benefits (AOB) agreements, allowing their roofing contractor to handle the entire insurance claim process. That’s now illegal in most circumstances.
What This Means for You
You must file your own claim. You must communicate with your own insurance company. You must sign your own settlement agreements. Your contractor can advise, guide, and provide documentation—but they can’t take over the claim process.
This was designed to reduce fraud, but in practice it means homeowners now navigate a complex legal and financial process largely on their own. Working with a contractor experienced in insurance claims becomes even more valuable, since we can tell you exactly what to ask for, what to watch for, and when you’re being given bad information.
Common Florida Roof Insurance Claim Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
After 20+ years in Central Florida roofing, we’ve seen these mistakes cost homeowners tens of thousands of dollars.
Mistake 1: Accepting the Lowest Contractor Bid
When insurance pays out $15,000 and every reputable contractor quotes $22,000, finding someone who’ll do it for $15,000 sounds smart. It’s not.
Lowball contractors cut corners—using inferior materials, skipping permits, rushing installation, not following Florida Building Code. When your roof fails again in three years, your insurance company will deny that claim because you didn’t use proper installation methods the first time. The few thousand you “saved” just cost you a new roof out-of-pocket.
At Ibis Contracting, we never promise to match the insurance payout if the insurance payout doesn’t cover proper repairs. We’ll fight alongside you to get the payout increased—but we won’t compromise your roof’s integrity to match an artificially low number.
Mistake 2: Not Reading the “Final Settlement” Language
Insurance companies love sending checks with paperwork that includes phrases like “final settlement,” “full compensation,” or “you agree no further damage exists.” When you sign that document and cash the check, you’ve legally agreed that’s the end of your claim—even if you discover major damage during repairs.
Never sign final settlement documents until your contractor has opened up the roof and confirmed no hidden damage exists. If the insurance company pressures you, that’s a red flag to get a public adjuster or attorney involved.
Mistake 3: Letting the Adjuster Inspect Alone
Adjusters often schedule inspections when homeowners are at work, handling everything over the phone. They’ll take a few photos, note obvious damage, and leave. Meanwhile, they missed the compromised decking, failed valley flashing, and inadequate ventilation that a roofing professional would spot immediately.
Always be present. Always have your contractor present. The 30 minutes you invest in that joint inspection directly determines whether you get 60% or 100% of the coverage you’re paying for.
Mistake 4: Missing the Supplemental Claim Window
During tear-off, your contractor discovers the decking is rotted, the trusses are damaged, or there’s mold growth that wasn’t visible from the surface. This is supplemental damage, and you have 18 months from the original date of loss to file a supplemental claim for it.
But here’s the catch: if you’ve already signed final settlement paperwork, you’ve waived your right to supplemental claims. This is why we never rush clients into accepting settlements before we’ve fully opened and inspected the damage.
Working with Ibis Contracting: How We Handle Insurance Claims
We Do It Right isn’t just our tagline—it’s how we approach every insurance claim. Our process protects you at every step.
Our Insurance Claim Support Process
Free Detailed Inspection: We document your roof damage with the same thoroughness insurance adjusters should use (but often don’t). You get a complete report with photos, measurements, and a detailed estimate based on current Central Florida pricing.
Joint Adjuster Meetings: When the insurance adjuster comes to your Orlando or Tampa property, we’re there. We point out damage, explain necessary repairs in terms adjusters understand, and ensure everything gets documented in their report.
Complete Estimates: Our estimates don’t just list “roof replacement.” They break down every material, every labor cost, every permit fee, and every code compliance upgrade. When insurance companies see this level of detail, they know they’re dealing with professionals who understand the process.
Negotiation Support: If your settlement offer is inadequate, we provide the technical documentation you need to appeal. We’ve fought for fair settlements on hundreds of claims—we know what works and what doesn’t.
Code-Compliant Installation: When we do the work, it’s permitted, inspected, and warrantied. If another storm comes through next year, you won’t have coverage issues because we cut corners to match an insurance payout.
What You Should Expect from Any Roofing Contractor During Claims
Not working with Ibis? That’s fine—but make sure whoever you hire meets these standards. Any licensed roofing contractor handling insurance work should provide detailed written estimates, attend adjuster inspections, understand Florida Building Code requirements, pull proper permits, and stand behind their work with transferable warranties.
If a contractor promises to “handle everything with insurance” or offers to waive your deductible, run. Both are red flags for insurance fraud—and you’re the one who’ll face consequences when the insurance company investigates.
When to Consider Legal Help
Sometimes insurance companies deny valid claims, offer settlements that don’t cover half the actual damage, or drag their feet past legal deadlines. When negotiation fails, you have options.
Signs You Need a Public Adjuster or Attorney
Your claim was denied and the explanation doesn’t match your policy language. The settlement offer is less than 70% of your contractor’s detailed estimate. The insurance company missed inspection deadlines or payment deadlines. You’ve discovered evidence of bad faith—like the adjuster’s internal notes contradicting their official report.
Florida has specialized public adjusters and insurance attorneys who work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if they increase your settlement. For complex claims or clear bad faith situations, their expertise often recovers tens of thousands more than homeowners can negotiate alone.
The Lawsuit Timeline
If you need to sue your insurance company, Florida policies typically give you a limited window—often 12 months from the date they close your claim or from your date of loss. Don’t wait until day 364 to consult an attorney. These cases take months to prepare, and missing the lawsuit deadline means you permanently lose your right to compensation.
Protecting Your Orlando or Tampa Home After Storm Season
The best insurance claim is the one you never have to file. Here’s how Central Florida homeowners can minimize storm damage and maximize coverage when storms do hit.
Annual Roof Inspections (Before Hurricane Season)
Have a licensed contractor inspect your roof every April or May, before hurricane season starts. We look for loose shingles, failing flashing, clogged gutters, and minor damage that becomes major damage when 100mph winds hit.
These inspections cost a few hundred dollars and often prevent thousands in storm damage. Plus, if you do have to file a claim, you can prove your roof was properly maintained—countering insurance company arguments about neglect.
Documentation for Insurance Purposes
Take photos of your roof from all angles twice a year. Store these in cloud storage where they can’t be destroyed if your home is severely damaged. When you make repairs or improvements, keep every invoice and permit. This paper trail proves you’ve maintained your property and helps establish pre-storm condition.
Understanding Your Coverage Limits
Review your policy annually, especially after making home improvements. If you added a $40,000 addition but didn’t increase your dwelling coverage, you’re underinsured. If you installed impact-resistant shingles or hurricane straps, ask about wind mitigation discounts—many Central Florida homeowners qualify for premium reductions they’re not receiving.
Frequently Asked Questions: Florida Roof Insurance Claims
How long do I have to file a roof insurance claim in Florida?
You have one year from the date of loss to notify your insurance company of initial damage, and 18 months for supplemental damage discovered later. These deadlines are strict—missing them forfeits your right to compensation.
Will filing a claim increase my insurance rates?
Possibly. Florida insurers can increase rates after claims, but they can also drop you or refuse renewal if you don’t file and damage worsens. Discuss this with your contractor before filing claims where damage costs are close to your deductible.
Do I have to use the contractor my insurance company recommends?
Absolutely not. You have the legal right to choose any licensed contractor you want. Insurance companies often “recommend” contractors who work for lower rates—rates that don’t cover proper repairs in the current Central Florida market.
What if my roof is older than 15 years?
Get a professional inspection proving it has at least five years of remaining useful life. Document this before you need to file a claim. If your roof can’t pass that inspection, consider replacing it before the next storm season—because insurance companies can now deny coverage or refuse renewal based solely on age.
Can insurance force me to repair instead of replace?
If your roof meets 2007 Florida Building Code standards, yes—insurance companies now have discretion to pay only for repairs even if more than 25% is damaged. However, if repairs won’t bring your roof up to current code, or if matching materials aren’t available, replacement may still be required.
What happens if I disagree with the adjuster’s damage assessment?
Get your own detailed inspection from a licensed roofing contractor. Submit that estimate with photos showing damage the adjuster missed. If the insurance company still won’t budge, you can request mediation or appraisal through formal channels established by Florida law.
Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection with Ibis Contracting
Whether you’re dealing with storm damage right now or want to document your roof’s condition before the next hurricane season, Ibis Contracting is here to help Central Florida homeowners navigate the insurance process.
We’ve spent over 20 years serving Orlando, Tampa, and surrounding communities. We understand Florida’s unique weather challenges, building codes, and insurance landscape. When you work with Ibis Contracting, you get more than a roofing contractor—you get a partner who knows how to protect your biggest investment.
Don’t wait until damage worsens or deadlines pass. Contact Ibis Contracting today for your free, no-obligation roof inspection and insurance claim consultation.
Because at Ibis Contracting, We Do It Right—every inspection, every estimate, every repair, every time.
Ibis Contracting: Licensed and insured roofing contractors serving Orlando, Tampa, Winter Garden, Kissimmee, Sanford, Melbourne, and all of Central Florida. Specializing in roof replacement, storm damage repair, emergency tarping, and insurance claim support. Contact us today for your free roof inspection.