5 Things to Do Immediately After Hurricane Damage (Florida)

The First 48 Hours After Hurricane Damage Are Critical

When a hurricane hits your Florida home, the clock starts immediately. Insurance companies have strict deadlines and documentation requirements — and what you do (or don't do) in the first 48 hours can significantly impact your settlement.

Here's exactly what to do to protect your claim and maximize your payout.

Step 1 — Ensure Safety First

Before anything else, make sure your home is structurally safe to enter. Watch for:

• Downed power lines or electrical hazards
• Structural damage that could cause collapse
• Gas leaks (leave immediately if you smell gas)
• Standing water with potential electrical contact

Only enter once local authorities confirm it's safe.

Step 2 — Document Everything Before Cleanup

This is the most critical step most homeowners skip. Do not clean up or make repairs before documenting.

Take photos and videos of:

• Every room, ceiling, floor, and wall
• The roof from ground level (and from above if safely accessible)
• All damaged personal property — furniture, appliances, electronics
• The exterior of the home from all four sides
• Any water entry points — windows, doors, roof penetrations

Pro tip: timestamp your photos and back them up to cloud storage immediately.

Step 3 — Make Emergency Repairs to Prevent Further Damage

Florida law requires policyholders to mitigate additional damage. This means:

• Tarping damaged roof areas
• Boarding broken windows and doors
• Removing standing water

Keep all receipts — emergency mitigation costs are typically covered by your policy. Never make permanent repairs before the insurance company inspects.

Step 4 — Notify Your Insurance Company

File your notice of loss as soon as possible. In Florida, most policies require prompt notification. When you call:

• Get a claim number and note the representative's name
• Ask for a copy of your policy if you don't have one
• Do not accept any preliminary settlement offers on the spot
• Do not sign anything until you've had the claim fully assessed

Step 5 — Contact a Licensed Public Adjuster

Your insurer will send their own adjuster — someone paid to protect the company's interests, not yours. A licensed public adjuster works exclusively for you.

A PA will:

• Conduct an independent, thorough inspection
• Identify damage the insurer's adjuster missed
• Build a complete, documented claim
• Negotiate aggressively for your maximum settlement

Kingwell Corp offers free post-hurricane inspections throughout Central Florida. Contact us within 48 hours for the strongest possible start to your claim.

Don't Wait — Florida Deadlines Are Strict

Florida has a 2-year statute of limitations on property insurance claims from the date of loss. However, the sooner you act, the better your documentation and the stronger your claim.

Call Kingwell Corp today: (689) 273-2159