A denial letter is not the end of a roof claim. It is the carrier’s opening position. Florida gives homeowners several ways to contest it, and most denials that get reversed are reversed because the homeowner produced better documentation than the adjuster had. Here is what to do, in order.
Read the Denial Letter for the Reason
Carriers must state the reason. The common ones are wear and tear rather than storm damage, damage below the deductible, a late-reported claim, a pre-existing condition, or a maintenance exclusion. Each has a different response, so the first step is finding the exact language.
Step 1: Get an Independent Roof Report
If you did not have your own inspection before the adjuster visit, get one now. A dated, slope-by-slope photo report from a licensed roofer that ties the damage to the storm is the single most effective response to a wear-and-tear denial. Sunny Roofing’s storm damage assessment is free.
Step 2: Request a Re-Inspection
Ask the carrier, in writing, for a re-inspection with your roofer present. Carriers routinely grant this. Send the roofer’s report ahead of time and ask that a different adjuster be assigned if the first one missed obvious damage.
Step 3: File a Supplemental Claim
If the claim was partially paid and the scope missed items, a supplemental claim adds them. Florida allows 18 months from the date of loss for supplemental claims (Fla. Stat. § 627.70132). Common missed items: matching under Fla. Stat. § 626.9744, code upgrades required by the 25 percent rule, decking, and permit fees.
Step 4: Hire a Public Adjuster
A licensed public adjuster works for you, not the carrier, and negotiates the claim for a percentage of the recovery. Florida caps the fee on many claims. For a large disputed roof claim, a public adjuster often pays for themselves.
Step 5: Invoke Appraisal or Mediation
Most Florida policies have an appraisal clause: each side names an appraiser, the two pick an umpire, and the panel sets the amount. The state also runs a mediation program for property claims. Both are faster than court.
Step 6: Legal Help
For a denial the carrier will not revisit, a property insurance attorney can review the policy and the file. Florida’s rules on attorney fees in insurance cases changed in 2022 and 2023, so ask about fees up front.
What Not to Do
- Do not sign an assignment of benefits or a contract that lets a contractor negotiate the claim in your name.
- Do not let the roof sit open; failure to mitigate is itself a reason for denial.
- Do not accept a verbal denial. Get it in writing.
- Do not miss the one-year and 18-month deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a roofer negotiate with my insurance company for me?
A roofer can document damage, meet the adjuster and explain the scope. Negotiating the claim amount on your behalf is the role of a licensed public adjuster or attorney.
My claim was denied as pre-existing. Now what?
Get an independent report that dates the damage to the storm, request a re-inspection, and consider a public adjuster if the amount is significant.
Will contesting a denial get me dropped?
Florida law bars cancellation or non-renewal because of a storm claim (Fla. Stat. § 627.4133(3)).
Talk to Sunny Roofing
Sunny Roofing is a veteran-owned, BBB A+ accredited, Florida-certified roofing contractor (CCC1333142) serving Orlando and Central Florida since 2018. Every job gets a dedicated project manager, a 15-year workmanship warranty and a cleanup guarantee. Book a free inspection online or call (561) 650-1355.