After a storm rolls through Volusia County, the first thing most Florida homeowners do is walk outside and look up. Maybe you spot missing shingles. Maybe there’s a dark water stain spreading across your ceiling. Whatever you’re seeing, the next thought is usually the same: Is this covered by insurance?
The short answer is: probably yes — but only if you handle the next few steps correctly. Florida’s property insurance market is notoriously complicated. Insurers are looking for reasons to underpay or deny claims, and homeowners who don’t document damage properly often end up getting far less than they deserve.
Here’s exactly what to do — and what not to do — from the moment you spot damage to the day your roof is restored.
Step 1: Don’t Wait to Document
The clock starts ticking the moment a storm passes. Florida law gives homeowners two years to file a roof insurance claim for hurricane or windstorm damage, but waiting hurts you in two ways: weather erodes evidence, and insurers grow skeptical of damage they can’t tie to a specific event.
Within 24–48 hours of a storm, do this:
- Photograph everything. Shoot from multiple angles — your roof from the ground, close-ups of any visible missing or cracked shingles, interior shots of water stains or leaks, and any debris on the property. Timestamps are automatic on most phones; don’t edit them off.
- Write down the date and storm details. National Weather Service records can corroborate your timeline if needed.
- Don’t make permanent repairs yet. Temporary fixes (tarps, patching an active leak) are fine and often necessary to prevent further damage — but do not replace or remove damaged materials before your adjuster sees them. Doing so can void coverage.
Step 2: Get a Professional Roof Inspection Before Calling Your Insurer
This is the step most homeowners skip — and it costs them.
Before you dial your insurance company, have a licensed roofing contractor walk your roof. Here’s why: an experienced roofer will find damage your untrained eye won’t. Storm damage isn’t always obvious — it includes bruised shingles from hail, lifted flashing, granule loss from wind, and subtle decking issues that only show from above.
A contractor’s written inspection report gives you an independent, professional assessment of what needs to be repaired or replaced. When the insurance adjuster arrives, you’re not guessing — you’re presenting documented evidence.
At Affordable Roofing & Construction, we offer free storm damage inspections for Volusia County homeowners. We’ll document every issue and walk you through what we find — no pressure, no obligation.
Step 3: File Your Claim Promptly
Once you have documentation and a contractor’s report, contact your insurer to open a claim. Have this information ready:
- Your policy number
- Date and type of storm event
- Photos and any contractor inspection reports you’ve collected
- A list of visible damage
Your insurer will assign an adjuster and schedule a visit. In Florida, insurers are required to acknowledge a claim within 14 days and make a coverage decision within 90 days under Florida Statute 627.70131.
Step 4: Be Present When the Adjuster Comes
Don’t let the adjuster inspect alone. Be there — or better yet, have your roofing contractor there too.
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company. They’re not bad people, but their job is to assess claims efficiently, and they may not catch everything your contractor already documented. Having your roofer present means any missed damage gets pointed out on the spot, not discovered after the adjuster files their report.
Ask the adjuster for a copy of their report and scope of loss when they’re done. Compare it against your contractor’s assessment.
Step 5: Review the Settlement Offer Carefully
Florida homeowners are frequently surprised — and frustrated — by their first settlement offer. Insurers often issue an initial payment based on Actual Cash Value (ACV), which deducts depreciation from your roof’s age. Your policy may entitle you to full Replacement Cost Value (RCV), which covers actual repair costs — but that second payment often only comes after repairs are completed and documented.
Read your policy closely, or ask your contractor to help you understand what your coverage actually includes. Common issues to watch for:
- Scope gaps: The adjuster’s estimate doesn’t cover all the damage your contractor found
- Code upgrade exclusions: Florida building codes often require upgraded materials when replacing a roof — make sure these costs are covered
- Depreciation disputes: Your roof may be depreciated more aggressively than warranted
If the settlement seems low, you have options. You can request a re-inspection, hire a public adjuster, or invoke your policy’s appraisal clause to get a second independent assessment.
What Insurance Usually Covers (and What It Doesn’t)
Standard Florida homeowner’s insurance typically covers roof damage from:
- Windstorms and hurricanes
- Hail
- Lightning strikes
- Falling objects (trees, debris)
- Fire
Insurance generally does not cover damage from:
- Normal wear and tear or aging
- Neglected maintenance (moss buildup, ignored leaks, deteriorated flashing)
- Flooding (requires separate flood insurance)
- Pre-existing damage
This is another reason a pre-claim contractor inspection matters — a roofer can help you distinguish between storm damage (coverable) and deferred maintenance (not coverable) before your insurer makes that determination for you.
A Word on Florida’s Roofing Insurance Law Changes
Florida’s insurance reform legislation in recent years has changed several things homeowners should know about:
- Assignment of Benefits (AOB) restrictions: Contractors can no longer directly receive claim payments by having homeowners sign over their rights. All payments go to the homeowner first.
- Older roof policies: Insurers may now insist on a roof inspection for homes with roofs over 15 years old before issuing or renewing a policy. Some may only offer ACV coverage on older roofs.
- Claim filing deadlines: The window to file a new claim or reopen an existing one was reduced from 3 years to 2 years in recent legislative sessions.
These changes make it more important than ever to stay on top of your roof’s condition and act quickly after any storm event.
Serving Volusia County Homeowners Through Every Step
Affordable Roofing & Construction has been helping homeowners across Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach, DeLand, and Deltona for over 20 years. We’re licensed (CCC 1327602) and fully insured, and we work with all major insurance carriers.
When you hire us for a storm-related repair or replacement, we’ll work alongside your adjuster, provide full documentation, and make sure nothing gets left off your claim. Our 5-year labor warranty means your repair is backed long after the check clears.
Suspect storm damage? Get a free inspection before you call your insurer. Call us at 386-392-8952 or use the form on our website. We’ll come out, assess the damage, and give you a clear picture of what you’re dealing with — at no cost and no obligation.
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