Homeowner Resource · Updated For 2026
Getting A Florida Damage Claim Paid, Explained In Plain English
The rules changed in 2023 and most advice online is outdated. Here is how coverage actually works now, and the documentation habits that separate paid claims from denied ones.
The First 24 Hours
What you do before the adjuster ever calls back matters more than anything that happens after.
Stop The Damage
Shut off the water source and electricity to affected areas if safe. Your policy requires reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and so does common sense.
Document Before You Touch
Photos and video of every affected room, the water source, and damaged belongings. More is better. This is the evidence your entire claim rests on.
Call Your Carrier And A Pro
Report the claim promptly and get a licensed restoration company drying the structure. Mold within 48 hours turns a covered water claim into a capped mold fight.
Keep The Paper Trail
Save every receipt, log every call, and get every scope in writing. TLG hands you a complete documentation package as part of the job.
Why This Page Exists
An educated homeowner is a better client. We would rather you know exactly how your coverage works before we ever meet, because the companies that benefit from your confusion are not the ones you want in your house.
Florida Claim Questions, Answered
General guidance, not legal or policy advice. Your policy's declarations page is the final word; read it, and call your carrier with coverage questions.
What changed with Florida insurance claims in 2023?
Florida banned assignment of benefits agreements for property insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2023. Contractors can no longer take over your claim. You manage it, which makes choosing a contractor who documents thoroughly and communicates with your adjuster more important than ever.
Does homeowners insurance cover mold in Florida?
Generally only when the mold resulted from a sudden, covered event like a burst pipe or storm damage, and most Florida policies cap mold coverage around $10,000 unless you purchased a higher endorsement. Mold from long-term humidity, slow leaks, or deferred maintenance is typically excluded.
Is flood damage covered by homeowners insurance?
No. Rising water from outside the home requires separate flood insurance through NFIP or a private carrier. Water that originates inside the home, like a plumbing failure, falls under homeowners coverage. Getting this distinction right on day one keeps your claim on track.
What documentation does a water damage claim need?
Date-stamped photos and video of the damage before cleanup, the failed component if there is one, moisture readings over time, an itemized scope of work, and receipts for emergency measures. TLG builds this file on every job as standard practice.
Should I start cleanup before the adjuster arrives?
Yes. Florida policies require you to mitigate further damage, and waiting days for an inspection while mold grows can actually hurt your claim. Photograph everything first, keep damaged materials for inspection when practical, and use a company that documents as it works.
Will TLG deal with my insurance company for me?
We work with your adjuster, not around them. Your claim stays yours as Florida law now intends, and we supply the documentation, scopes, and photos that adjusters need to approve the work. When you want us on the phone with them, we are.
Dealing with damage right now? Start with our water damage page or call (561) 331-8624.
We Document Like Your Claim Depends On It
Because it does. Photos, moisture logs, and written scopes on every TLG job, standard.