30 Days After Hurricane Milton

What Your Insurance Carrier Should Be Doing—What You Can Do

It’s been a month since Hurricane Milton swept through our lives, leaving damage, heartbreak, and countless homes and businesses struggling to rebuild. In the aftermath, you might have filed a Hurricane Milton claim expecting prompt support. But here we are—30 days in—and you might still be waiting. So, what exactly should your insurance carrier be doing right now? And what steps can you, as a policyholder, take to keep your recovery on track?

1. Your Insurance Carrier’s Obligations Under Florida Law

Florida law sets clear expectations for how insurance carriers are supposed to handle hurricane-related claims. They outline specific timeframes for communication, inspections, and claim decisions. For a complete overview of “Insurer’s duty to acknowledge communication regarding claims; investigation,” refer to Florida Statute 627.70131. Some of these timelines include:

• • • Claim Acknowledgment: An insurer should acknowledge receipt of your communication within 7 calendar days, unless payment is made within that period or factors beyond the insurer’s control prevent acknowledgment.
    • Adjuster Inspection: After you’ve submitted your proof-of-loss statement, your insurance carrier has 30 days to send out a licensed insurance adjuster to inspect the damage on your property, if such investigation involves a physical inspection of the property.
    • Claim Decision: An insurer must pay or deny a property insurance claim within 60 days of receiving notice, unless delays are due to factors beyond the insurer’s control, and must provide a written explanation for the decision.

The Florida Department of Financial Services and The Florida Senate have provided a detailed list of a policyholder’s rights during the claim process post-hurricane. It’s important that you not only know your rights as a policyholder but that your insurance carrier does its best to abide by their obligation.

2. Proactive Steps You Can Take to Strengthen Your Claim

If your insurance carrier is behind on these obligations, it’s time to take control of your claim. Here are essential actions you can take:

• • • File Promptly: File your Hurricane Milton claim as soon as possible. The sooner you file, the closer you are to the top of the payout list—a major advantage when carriers juggle claims from hundreds of policyholders. While it’s important to file your claim promptly, it’s just as important to file your claim with thorough documentation and review.
    • Document Thoroughly: Take high-quality photos and videos of all damage (if it is safe), both inside and outside your property. This evidence sets the foundation of your claim and can be invaluable throughout the claims process.
    • Review Your Policy Details: Before filing, make sure you understand what’s covered under your policy, including policy limits, deductibles, and exclusions. Reviewing the terms of your policy that are unique to your property is a strategic move. Our team is here to review your policy terms and help you make the most of your coverage throughout the claims process. Have your policy reviewed by our team today!
    • Stay in Regular Communication: Keep the lines open with your insurer. Follow up on the status of your claim regularly to keep it at the forefront of their minds.
    • Request Extensions if Necessary: If you need more time to gather documents, inspections, or estimates, formally request an extension and a response in writing. This step is essential to avoid unintentionally forfeiting parts of your claim.

3. Add a Public Adjuster to Your Team

After a hurricane, the claims process can feel overwhelming, especially with the pressure to document everything and communicate with your insurance carrier. That’s where a public adjuster comes in—right from the start. Many policyholders think they only need us when delays or denials happen, but involving a public adjuster like Premier Claims early in the process can make a world of difference. Here’s why:

• • • Detailed Evaluation: A public adjuster thoroughly assesses your damage, potentially catching details you or an independent insurance adjuster might overlook. This initial step allows your claim to more fully reflect the scope of the damage to your property. 
    • Professional Representation from the Get-Go: With a licensed public adjuster handling the paperwork, inspections, and negotiations, you can focus on recovery instead of wrangling with insurance adjusters. Our team is able to review your insurance policy and help make the most of your coverage throughout the claims process. Having Premier Claims advocate for you from the start allows us to more comprehensively fight for your rights and a fair settlement. 
    • Overcoming Delays: When delays happen, a public adjuster can dramatically change the outcome of your claim. If you’re feeling stonewalled by your insurer, consider involving someone who strictly works for you, the policyholder. 

At Premier Claims, we’re committed to being your partner throughout the claims process. Let us take the stress out of your claim so you can focus on rebuilding with confidence, knowing we’re working our hardest to secure every dollar you’re owed.

4. Time to Take Action: Keeping Your Claim on Track

If your Hurricane Milton claim is delayed, it’s time to take action!

• • • Request a Written Timeline from Your Carrier: Ask your insurance carrier for a written schedule that outlines the next steps in processing your claim. A formal request often motivates them to act.

5. Your Recovery, Our Priority

You’ve been through enough already. At Premier Claims, we believe in empowering you, the policyholder, with the support and information you need to navigate the claims process confidently. 

In this recovery journey, you don’t have to go it alone. Whether you’re facing delays, low settlement offers, or unclear timelines, Premier Claims has the experience and the drive to fight for you to be treated fairly so you can receive an adequate payout.