Planning is the first step to being ready for a disaster.
Take time now to review your insurance policy and other applicable insurance resources. Research to learn more about the insurance professionals involved in the claims process, your hurricane deductible and your rights.
Review Your Insurance Policies
- Review your homeowners’, renters’, automobile and other insurance policies to ensure that you understand your coverage, including if food spoilage is covered. If you have questions about your coverage, contact your insurance agent.
- The Department of Financial Services’ Division of Consumer Services’ Consumer Guides Library includes insurance toolkits on each type of insurance:
Understand Your Hurricane Deductible
Review the Department’s Hurricane Deductible Guide to learn more.
- Be sure you know how much you will be responsible for if you incur damage from a hurricane. This is called your hurricane deductible. Most policies have a hurricane deductible of 2 to 5 percent of a home's insured value; some are a set amount such as $2,000. Contact your insurance agent to discuss your hurricane deductible and determine if you are eligible for a lower deductible.
Know the Difference Between a Public Adjuster and a Company Adjuster
Public Adjuster
- Following a disaster, a Public Adjuster may contact you to help with filing an insurance claim and represent your insurance interests to your insurance company.
- Public Adjusters work directly for you and charge a fee based on the percentage of the claim settlement.
- They will require you to sign a contract. Ensure the contract includes all of the required information.
Company Adjusters
- Company Adjusters work for the insurance company and determine the amount of property damage and what is covered by your policy.
- Company Adjusters do not charge a fee.
To learn more about your rights when working with a Public Adjuster, review our helpful guide: Working With A Public Adjuster: Your Consumer Rights
Both Company Adjusters and Public Adjusters must be licensed by the state and should be able to present a copy of their license. If you have questions regarding an adjuster’s license or the contract, contact the Department’s Insurance Consumer Helpline at 1.877.693.5236.
Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
- Read the Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights to ensure you understand your rights and responsibilities once you file an insurance claim.
Consider Flood Insurance
- Learn about the benefits of flood insurance.
- Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flood and you may need a separate policy. Review the flood claims process in the event you must file a claim.
Flood Insurance: Anywhere It Rains, It Can Flood
Learn the importance of having flood insurance coverage in Florida, even if your home is not located in a flood zone.
Flood Insurance: Myths & Facts
Flood Insurance myths and the facts that disprove them to ensure you have properly protected one of your greatest assets.
Flood Insurance: Know What To Do After A Flood
Guidance and direction regarding flooding, the flood insurance claims process, and resources to obtain additional flood information.
Contact Your ICA
Florida's Insurance Consumer Advocate
Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate
200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 413-5923
Email: YourFLVoice@MyFloridaCFO.com
