First 48 Hours
Sinkhole activity. Here is what to do in the first 48 hours.
Sinkhole claims are among the most technical and contested in Florida. FS 627.706 governs the process, required testing, and the difference between "catastrophic ground cover collapse" and non-catastrophic sinkhole activity.
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 sinkhole shapes the claim that follows. Work the list. Do not skip steps. Do not improvise.
- 01
Evacuate if the structure is unsafe
Sudden ground subsidence can progress. If cracking is active or the structure has shifted, leave.
- 02
Photograph visible signs thoroughly
Cracks in walls (interior and exterior), doors/windows not closing, floor tile separation, foundation cracks, any depression in the yard.
- 03
Do not sign anything any stabilization company offers
Sinkhole mitigation is expensive and contested. The investigation phase precedes any repair decisions.
- 04
File the claim with your carrier immediately
FS 627.706 requires specific investigation steps that only begin once you file.
- 05
Request the statutory sinkhole testing protocol
Your carrier is required to conduct specific geotechnical testing under Florida law. You have rights to the results.
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
Date every crack you observe
Use a measuring tape in photos. Return every few days and re-photograph to show progression.
- 02
Document all doors and windows that stick or gap
These are diagnostic signs of foundation movement.
- 03
Keep structural engineer reports if you obtain one
An independent structural engineer gives you leverage. Their report is a parallel record.
- 04
Save weather/ground-use records
Recent heavy rain, nearby construction, pumping operations. Context helps establish causation.
What to photograph and video
- ✓Every exterior wall, showing cracks and their approximate lengths
- ✓Every interior wall crack, floor tile separation, ceiling crack
- ✓Doors and windows showing gaps or misalignment
- ✓Foundation from all accessible sides
- ✓Yard depressions, soil loss, or visible ground disturbance
- ✓Driveway cracking and displacement
- ✓Neighbor properties for comparison (if safe and appropriate)
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 sinkhole 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
- NCCarrier classifies as "not catastrophic ground cover collapse"Non-CGC sinkhole activity is still a covered peril on most Florida HO-3 policies but coverage and testing requirements differ. Know the distinction under FS 627.706.
- TETesting results minimize damageCarrier-selected geotechnical engineers may find less damage than an independent engineer. You have the right to an independent opinion.
- RERepair plan is grout-onlyCompaction grouting is one option, not the only option. Underpinning, full foundation repair, and demolition/rebuild may all be appropriate depending on severity.
- AOStabilization company offers AOBAOB abuse in sinkhole claims was one of the drivers of the 2019 AOB reform. Extremely risky; avoid.
- NENeighbor's claim affected your valuationSimilar subsurface conditions do not mean identical claims. Do not let your carrier lump you in.
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 sinkhole claims
Is sinkhole activity covered by Florida homeowners insurance?+
What is the difference between "sinkhole activity" and "catastrophic ground cover collapse"?+
What testing does my carrier have to do?+
Can I get a second opinion on sinkhole testing?+
What if my claim is denied after testing?+
Can I repair the sinkhole myself to avoid making a claim?+
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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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