How One Florida Condo Association Went From a $9K Offer to Full Hurricane Ian Restoration
When Hurricane Ian brought powerful winds that swept through Florida, the damage was immediate and devastating—especially for one small condo association. What happened next is a story that highlights not just the challenges property owners face after a major storm, but also how persistence, strategy, and the right resources can turn an underpaid claim into a full restoration.
The Initial Carrier Decision: $9,820.34
Following their inspection, the insurance carrier approved coverage for the interior, two of the three carports, and only a 1-square repair on the shingle roof. Their total payment, including recoverable depreciation, came to just $9,820.34.
Without photographs in the file, there was no way to verify whether the coverage decision matched the actual storm damage. The board was left wondering: Was this really all the carrier was willing to cover after a hurricane?
What We Found on Inspection
When our team was brought in, the first step was clear: inspect the property ourselves. Once we had boots on the ground, the reality became obvious. There was extensive wind and debris-related damage to the roof and carports that far exceeded the small repair allowance in the carrier’s scope.
We submitted our findings along with a revised estimate in line with the coverage provided in the policy. Then… silence.
Weeks of Unanswered Communication
For weeks, the carrier’s in-house adjuster ignored our outreach—dozens of attempts to connect went unanswered, even when we escalated directly to upper management. Progress had come to a standstill.
It was time to have a candid conversation with the condo board about their options.
Introducing the Civil Remedy Notice
We recommended that the board consider filing a Civil Remedy Notice (CRN)—a formal action under Florida law that notifies both the Department of Financial Services and the insurer of alleged bad faith in handling a claim. This filing gives the insurer a set period to correct the violation before legal action can be taken.
At the time, the sitting board president wasn’t comfortable with taking such a formal step and chose to proceed independently.
A Change in Leadership and a Renewed Effort
Seven months later, there was a new board president—and still no meaningful progress from the carrier. The board quickly reengaged our team. Given the prolonged delay, we partnered with legal counsel to issue the CRN immediately.
Just eight days after the filing, a 60 Minutes episode aired, exposing the same carrier for drastically reducing Hurricane Ian claim estimates. The timing was impossible to ignore. To learn more about the impact these decisions had on property owners, read our full blog: 60 Minutes: Key Takeaways from “After the Hurricane” Report
The Settlement
Under mounting public scrutiny and with the CRN on file, the carrier quickly settled for $80,000—enough to restore the roof and repair the carports to pre-loss condition.
Board Testimonial
Our client, Jim S., a board member during both phases of this claim, reflected on his experience throughout the claim process. He found our team to be especially helpful due to:
“The lack of response of the insurance company is the driving factor, and the insurance company doesn’t send out confident people. They don’t find all of your losses, and as a result, you get a claim that doesn’t reflect all your damage. You’re not a small operation. You’re a complex operation with a lot of resources, so when questions are asked, you’re able to bring in those resources to get the answer and respond pretty quickly. And that’s all part of the glow that surrounds Premier Claims. That’s what’s important to the customers, your clients.”
The Takeaway for Condo Associations
This claim is proof that:
- Initial offers aren’t the final word—especially when they don’t reflect the actual damage.
- Documentation is everything—from photos to a detailed scope.
- Persistence matters—weeks of unanswered calls and emails shouldn’t stop a claim from moving forward.
- Policyholder rights are powerful—formal measures like a Civil Remedy Notice can drive resolution when nothing else works.

"*" indicates required fields












