Storm Damage & Insurance
Florida law is specific about what a roofing contractor can and cannot do when it comes to insurance claims. We want you to understand exactly where we fit in the process — and where we step back — so there are no surprises and no legal gray areas.
Florida Statute § 489.147 governs what licensed roofing contractors may do in connection with insurance claims. We follow it strictly. Here is exactly where our role begins and ends.
Florida's insurance reform laws exist because contractor-driven claim solicitation caused significant fraud and market damage across the state. We support those laws. Our job is to inspect your roof honestly, document what we find accurately, and do excellent restoration work. The decision to file a claim — and how to handle it with your insurer — is yours to make with your insurance agent. We will never pressure you, and we will never offer to absorb your deductible. Any contractor who does is operating illegally.
We use Xactimate — the same software insurance companies use internally — to produce detailed, line-item estimates. This isn't a rough quote. It's a professional scope of work with material and labor breakdowns. You receive this estimate for your own records. Your adjuster will conduct their own independent assessment.
You have the right to have your contractor present when your insurance adjuster inspects your property. If you request it, we can be there as your roofing contractor to answer technical questions about what we observed. We do not direct or pressure the adjuster — we simply provide our professional assessment as contractors.
During tear-off, damage not visible from the surface is sometimes found — deteriorated decking, compromised sheathing, rotted fascia. When this happens, we document it and submit a supplemental claim to your insurance company for the additional scope of work. This is a standard and legal part of the repair process.
We hold both a roofing license (CCC1333042) and a general contractor license (CRC1333797). When insurance-covered damage extends beyond the roof — soffits, fascia, structural elements — we can handle it all under one contractor. One estimate. One crew. One point of contact.
Here is what you can generally expect from suspected storm damage to completed repairs. Every claim is different — this is a general overview, not a guarantee of outcomes.
We come out and inspect your roof at no cost. We document what we find — photos, measurements, written notes — and give you a straightforward assessment. If we observe storm damage, we tell you. If we don't find damage, we tell you that too. There is no pressure to do anything with that information. The inspection report belongs to you.
If you decide to file a claim, that call is made by you directly to your insurance company. Filing a claim is entirely your decision. We do not make that call on your behalf, and we do not coach you on what to say — your insurer needs your honest, firsthand account of when you first noticed the damage and what you observed.
Your insurance company will assign an adjuster to inspect the damage. As a homeowner, you have the right to have your contractor present at this inspection. If you request it, we can attend to answer technical questions from our own assessment. The adjuster conducts their own independent evaluation and makes coverage determinations — that is their role, not ours.
Your insurance company will send you a coverage determination and, if approved, a settlement offer. This is a decision between you and your insurer. We can answer specific technical questions about the scope of work from a contractor's perspective, but reviewing, accepting, or disputing a settlement offer is between you, your insurer, and if you choose, a licensed public adjuster or attorney.
Once you authorize the work, we schedule and complete your roof replacement. All work is performed to Florida building code and manufacturer specifications. Your deductible is your financial responsibility per your policy — we do not waive, discount, or absorb deductibles under any circumstances.
If we discover additional damage during the tear-off that was not visible during the initial inspection — damaged decking, compromised trusses, water intrusion — we document it and submit a supplemental claim to your insurance company for the additional work. This is a standard part of the restoration process. We complete all work, pull permits, and provide full documentation of everything performed.
Under Florida law (§ 489.147), it is illegal for a contractor to offer to pay, waive, absorb, or rebate a homeowner's insurance deductible. Your deductible is a contractual obligation between you and your insurance company. Any contractor who offers to "eat your deductible" or calls it a free roof is violating Florida law — and that offer puts you at risk too. We do not and will not make that offer.
If your claim is denied, disputed, or you believe the settlement does not reflect the actual damage — that is a matter between you and your insurance company. A licensed roofing contractor cannot negotiate your claim. Here is who can.
A licensed public adjuster (PA) is a state-licensed professional who legally represents homeowners in insurance claim negotiations. They assess damage independently, document losses, and negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf — all things a contractor cannot do. If you believe your claim was underpaid or mishandled, a PA is the appropriate professional to contact. Florida's Department of Financial Services maintains a searchable list of licensed public adjusters at myfloridacfo.com.
If a claim has been wrongfully denied or you are involved in a coverage dispute, a Florida attorney who specializes in property insurance law can advise you on your legal options. This includes evaluating whether to invoke the appraisal clause in your policy, challenge a denial, or pursue other remedies under Florida law. This is separate from our role as a roofing contractor.
You have the right to request that your insurance company conduct a second inspection if you believe the initial assessment was incomplete. This is a request you make directly to your insurer. We can provide updated contractor documentation from our own assessment for your records, which you may share with your insurer as you see fit.
Whether your claim is approved, denied, or disputed — we can provide a professional Xactimate estimate and documented damage assessment for your own records. If you are working with a public adjuster or attorney, they may request this documentation as part of their own process. Our role is to be accurate and thorough in our technical assessment. What happens with that documentation is up to you and the professionals you choose to work with.
Florida law provides homeowners with specific rights during the insurance claims process. This is general information — consult your insurance agent, a licensed public adjuster, or an attorney for guidance specific to your policy and situation.
Xactimate is the industry-standard estimating software used by insurance companies, adjusters, and licensed contractors. When we prepare an estimate using Xactimate, it is produced in the same format and line-item structure that insurance adjusters use internally. This makes it straightforward for adjusters to review our scope of work on a technical level. This estimate is for your records — we provide it to you. You determine how and whether to share it with your insurer or other professionals.
This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. Consult a licensed public adjuster, insurance agent, or attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
No. Under Florida Statute § 489.147, it is illegal for a licensed contractor to offer to pay, waive, absorb, or rebate a homeowner's insurance deductible. Your deductible is your obligation under your insurance policy. Any contractor who makes this offer is violating Florida law — and accepting it could expose you to liability as well. We will never make this offer.
No — and this is important. Florida law prohibits contractors from soliciting insurance claims or filing claims on a homeowner's behalf. Filing a claim is a decision you make and a call you place directly with your insurance company. What we can do is provide you with a professional inspection and documentation of what we observed, which you may use as you see fit.
That is a conversation to have with your insurance agent, who can advise you on your deductible, your coverage, and the potential impact of a claim on your policy. We can tell you what we observed and what repairs would cost. The decision to file is entirely yours. We do not recommend for or against filing — that is not our role.
Disputing or negotiating a claim outcome is outside the scope of what a roofing contractor can legally do in Florida. If you believe your claim was improperly denied or underpaid, the right professionals to contact are a licensed public adjuster or a property insurance attorney. We can provide our documented assessment and Xactimate estimate for your records, which you may share with those professionals.
Under Florida law, insurance companies must acknowledge a claim within 14 days and issue a coverage decision within 90 days. In practice, straightforward claims are often resolved in a few weeks. Complex claims or disputes can take longer. Timelines vary by insurer, claim complexity, and market conditions. Your insurance agent is the best source for status updates on your specific claim.
Yes — if you request it. As a homeowner, you have the right to have your contractor present during your insurer's inspection. We can answer technical questions from our own assessment as your roofing contractor. We do not direct, pressure, or negotiate with the adjuster — that is not our role. The adjuster conducts their own independent evaluation.
Once work begins, damage not visible during the initial inspection — rotted decking, compromised sheathing, damaged trusses — is sometimes uncovered. When this happens, a supplemental claim can be submitted to the insurance company for the additional scope of work. This is a normal and legal part of the claims and repair process. We document all supplemental findings thoroughly before submitting.