Hurricane losses & Florida insurance claim help
A hurricane can leave a property with several causes of loss, emergency repairs and competing estimates. Compass assists South Florida and Treasure Coast property owners with documenting roof and interior damage, reviewing deductibles and understanding which policy is being applied to each part of the event.
Request a free claim review · Florida: 561-707-2893 · North Dakota: 701-516-6099
AI-generated illustrative photo; not a customer project or an assessment of your property.
Wind, rain entry and storm surge need separate evidence
Wind can lift roofing, damage windows or doors and create openings that allow rain inside. Storm surge and rising outside water may involve flood coverage rather than the homeowners or wind policy. A hurricane's name alone does not resolve which cause damaged a particular material.
Record what was observed and when: exterior openings, interior staining, water levels and the timing of emergency work. Qualified inspection findings are more useful than unsupported assertions that everything was wind damage or everything was flood damage.
Document the roof and the rest of the building envelope
Roof coverings, flashing, vents, soffits, gutters, windows and exterior doors can experience different damage. Ask a qualified inspector to identify locations, materials and observed conditions. Safe ground-level photos can record missing components and debris without putting the homeowner on the roof.
Keep evidence of prior condition and repairs if available. Storm-related damage, ordinary wear and preexisting defects need to be distinguished. Temporary tarping or boarding should be recorded before and after installation, with a written scope and invoice.
Connect exterior findings with interior repairs
Rain entering through storm damage may affect ceilings, insulation, wall cavities, flooring and belongings. Take wide room photos and close-ups, then preserve drying logs and photographs before removal. A small visible stain may not describe all affected materials.
When damage becomes visible during repair, record its location and professional explanation and ask about supplements. Do not assume that discovering hidden conditions automatically makes them covered. The carrier still evaluates cause, policy terms and the relationship to the reported event.
Read the hurricane deductible and policy endorsements
A hurricane deductible can differ from the ordinary all-other-perils deductible. Percentage deductibles may be calculated from an insured value, not from the repair estimate. Confirm the trigger, percentage or dollar amount and the actual calculation on your declarations and endorsements.
Roof valuation, ordinance-or-law coverage, exclusions and policy limits can also affect payment. Ask the insurer for its written explanation rather than relying on a generic claim that every hurricane loss uses the same deductible or produces a full roof replacement.
Compare documented repair scope, not competing promises
Review roof quantities, damaged components, interior rooms, mitigation and any supported code-related work. Keep contractor estimates, carrier scopes and payment breakdowns together. Separate necessary emergency work from permanent reconstruction so the evidence explains each request.
Compass can help present a supported position on disputed scope or an undervalued payment. Claim representation does not guarantee coverage or a settlement. Report promptly and obtain advice on deadlines; an ongoing review should not cause you to miss policy or legal requirements.
What to gather
- Policy declarations, endorsements and hurricane deductible
- Safe roof, exterior and interior photos
- Wind and flood observations kept distinct
- Tarping, boarding and drying records
- Contractor findings and itemized estimates
- Carrier correspondence and payment calculation
How Compass can help
Request a hurricane claim review for roof, exterior or interior damage in South Florida and the Treasure Coast, with attention to cause, deductible and the documented repair scope.
Request a free claim review
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover storm surge?
Storm surge generally involves flood coverage. Review the applicable flood policy alongside any homeowners or wind coverage rather than treating all hurricane damage as one covered cause.
Is the hurricane deductible a percentage of my repair bill?
Not necessarily. It may be based on an insured value. Your declarations and endorsements explain the amount, calculation and trigger.
Do I need to wait before having the roof tarped?
Do not delay necessary safe temporary protection. Preserve photographs, a written scope and invoices and notify the insurer. The carrier evaluates reimbursement under the policy.
Can I submit newly discovered interior damage?
Ask the insurer about its supplement process and deadlines. Provide dated photographs, professional findings and an itemized scope; additional payment is not automatic.
Related loss information
Official resources
Educational information, not legal advice or a coverage determination. Your policy, endorsements, facts, and applicable law control. Coverage and reimbursement are not guaranteed. Report losses promptly, preserve applicable deadlines, and do not delay safe emergency mitigation while seeking a claim review.