1
Document before you touch anything
Photograph and video every slope from the ground, the interior
ceilings, and any debris. Timestamped photos matter. Do not let anyone
— including a contractor — remove damaged material before your insurer
has seen it or instructed you to mitigate. Do make temporary repairs
to prevent further damage; that's required under your policy and those
costs are typically reimbursable. Keep every receipt.
2
Get a professional inspection and written report
An insurance adjuster visits dozens of homes in a week and often
spends under an hour on yours. A contractor who inspects hundreds of
roofs a year will notice things an adjuster won't — lifted tab
patterns consistent with a specific wind direction, creased shingles
from uplift, failed sealant strips. Ask for a written report with
photos and a scope of work you can submit to your carrier. This single
document often determines whether the claim is approved.
3
File the claim — in your name, not the contractor's
Call your insurer directly or file through their portal. Never sign
anything that assigns your policy benefits to a third party without
understanding it. Florida law restricts contractors from offering to
pay your deductible, and it's a red flag if anyone does. You are the
policyholder; the claim is yours.
4
Attend the adjuster inspection yourself — with your contractor
This is the step where claims are won and lost. Adjusters are
professionals doing a job, and most are fair. But they work for the
insurer, and they evaluate what they're shown. Having your contractor
on the roof pointing out specific damage — rather than submitting
photos after the fact — changes outcomes. We attend every adjuster
appointment for our customers at no charge, whether or not the claim
is approved.
5
Review the scope of loss line by line
When the estimate arrives, read it carefully. Common omissions:
secondary water barrier, drip edge, ridge vent, code-required
fastening upgrades, permit fees, and debris removal. These are
legitimate, code-required items — not upgrades. If they're missing,
you have the right to request a supplement.
6
Supplement, then negotiate if needed
A supplement is a formal request to add missed or underpaid items.
Most contractors submit them routinely; it's not adversarial. If you
genuinely disagree with the outcome after a supplement, Florida offers
a neutral appraisal process under most policies, and the Department of
Financial Services has a consumer assistance line. You are not
required to accept a first offer.
7
Understand your deductible before you sign
Florida policies typically carry two deductibles: a standard AOP
(all-other-perils) deductible and a separate hurricane deductible,
usually stated as a percentage of dwelling coverage — 2%, 5%, or more.
On a $400,000 home with a 2% hurricane deductible, that's $8,000 out
of pocket before insurance pays anything. Know both numbers before you
decide whether filing makes sense.
