First 48 Hours
Roof damage. Here is what to do in the first 48 hours.
Roof claims are the most denied property claims in Florida. The paperwork and photographic evidence you generate in the first 48 hours decides whether you replace the roof or fight for a patch.
Before you do anything: make your home safe.
If there is active fire, gas, electrical risk, or structural collapse risk, evacuate and call 911 first. Property damage is recoverable. Safety is not.
Immediate steps
The first hour
Every minute of the first hour after roof damage shapes the claim that follows. Work the list. Do not skip steps. Do not improvise.
- 01
Get eyes on the roof safely
Ground-level wide shots. A drone pass if possible. Do not climb a damaged roof.
- 02
Tarp any active leak points
Prevent further water intrusion. Document the tarp work with date-stamped photos.
- 03
Bucket any interior drips and photograph stains
Catch drips. Photograph ceiling staining, sagging, and any falling material.
- 04
Open a claim with the carrier
FNOL starts the carrier investigation clock (typically 14 days for acknowledgment under FS 627.70131).
- 05
Do not sign anything a roofer hands you today
AOB, emergency repair contracts for thousands, roof replacement commitments. Take 48 hours minimum.
Critical
Document before you clean
Photograph everything first.
Your carrier will question anything you clean up before they see. Documentation preserves scope. Cleanup without documentation collapses scope.
- 01
Document roof condition from every accessible angle
Ground wide, ground close, drone if available. If you have pre-storm satellite imagery, save it.
- 02
Count missing or damaged shingles/tiles
Photograph individual damaged areas. Carrier will want specific counts for scope calculations.
- 03
Document interior water damage
Ceiling stains, drywall sagging, insulation wetness (attic access needed for full scope).
- 04
Save the NOAA weather report for date of loss
Wind speeds, hail size reports, tornado paths. This corroborates causation against wear-and-tear denials.
What to photograph and video
- ✓Full roof from ground, all four slopes
- ✓Each damaged area close-up with a measuring tape or known-size reference
- ✓Every interior ceiling stain or water mark
- ✓Attic if accessible: decking moisture, insulation damage, daylight visible through underlayment
- ✓Gutters, downspouts, and surrounding yard for debris indicating roof material loss
- ✓Any partial replacements already done (if contractor started) with before/after
FNOL
Call your insurance carrier
Once the property is documented and safe, call your carrier. Ask for a claim number. Give the facts. State that you are reserving the right to supplement the claim as the full scope emerges. That is standard language, not a red flag.
Free claim review
Get a free claim review from a licensed Florida public adjuster.
We review your policy and estimate at no cost. If we take your case, our fee only comes from the increased recovery.
- ✓Licensed Florida public adjusters
- ✓We work for policyholders, not insurance companies
- ✓No fee unless we recover more than you were offered
What kind of damage?
Pick the closest match. We will ask for details later.
Do not give a recorded statement yet.
You can decline until you have documented the full scope and, ideally, had a licensed Florida public adjuster review your statement. Once recorded, it is the canonical version of events.
If you know your carrier, read the carrier profile for specifics on how they handle roof damage claims. Each carrier has patterns. Knowing the pattern is half the advantage.
Policy requirement
Mitigate further damage
Your policy requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. Emergency tarps, plumbing shut-offs, board-up, drying, mold control. Keep every receipt. These expenses are reimbursable.
What is reasonable mitigation?
Tarps on a damaged roof: yes. Full roof replacement in week one: no. Water extraction and drying: yes. Finish replacement before scope is agreed: no. The line is "prevent further damage," not "start repair."
Know the traps
Red flags in the first 48 hours
- RECarrier authorizes partial repair onlyPartial repairs that cannot match the rest of the roof may entitle you to full replacement under FS 626.9744. Fight this before accepting.
- AGDenial based on roof ageRoof age alone is not a valid denial reason unless your policy specifically excludes older roofs. Check your declarations page.
- WEBlanket wear-and-tear denialWear and tear is only exclusionary if it is the proximate cause. Storm-caused damage to a worn-but-functional roof is still covered.
- DEACV settlement when policy is RCVIf you have replacement cost coverage, you get the depreciation back once the roof is replaced. Do not settle ACV and walk away.
- AORoofer AOBAssignment of Benefits to a roofer who door-knocked is the fastest way to lose control of your claim.
Free claim review
Still building your claim? We can help right now.
A licensed Florida public adjuster will review your policy and loss documentation for free.
- ✓Licensed Florida public adjusters
- ✓We work for policyholders, not insurance companies
- ✓No fee unless we recover more than you were offered
What kind of damage?
Pick the closest match. We will ask for details later.
Decision
When to call a public adjuster
You should call a licensed Florida public adjuster when the damage is substantial, when the carrier's first response feels like an anchor, when you are being asked to sign things you do not fully understand, or when the carrier is asking questions that feel designed to shift the narrative of cause.
You do not need one for a $500 screen repair. You almost always want one for a $30,000 kitchen restoration. In between, the rule of thumb is: if the claim complexity exceeds the time and expertise you can give it, get representation.
Public adjusters in Florida work on contingency. No recovery over the carrier's first offer, no fee. Our interests align with yours.
No obligation. No fee unless recovery.
Free claim review from a licensed Florida public adjuster.
No obligation. No fee unless we recover more than you were offered.
FAQ
Common questions about roof damage claims
Does my homeowners policy cover roof damage in Florida?+
Is there a deadline to file a Florida roof claim?+
Can my carrier deny the whole roof and pay for just the damaged slope?+
What is the difference between ACV and RCV for roofs?+
Can I be denied because my roof is old?+
Should I let the roofer who knocked on my door handle the claim?+
If you need another one
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Go deeper
Deeper claim resources
Claim Process Guide
Every stage of a Florida insurance claim.
Florida Insurance Law
Statutes that protect policyholders.
Denied Claims
When carriers deny and how to fight back.
Claim Types
Every major damage category.
Carriers
Florida carrier profiles.
Glossary
Every claim term defined.
Help Center
Common problems homeowners face.
Case Studies
Real Florida settlements.
Calculators
Decision and settlement tools.
Storms
Every major Florida storm profiled.
Locations
All 67 Florida counties.
First 48 hours
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Free claim review
Your policy says more than you think. Find out what you are actually owed.
Licensed Florida public adjusters. Free claim review. No recovery, no fee.
- ✓Licensed Florida public adjusters
- ✓We work for policyholders, not insurance companies
- ✓No fee unless we recover more than you were offered
What kind of damage?
Pick the closest match. We will ask for details later.
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