If you live in Florida, the Florida insurance claim time limit is shorter than it used to be—and that can make or break your payout. In this guide, you’ll get plain-English answers on how long you have to file a claim in Florida, how Florida homeowners insurance claim laws work now, and easy steps to hit every deadline without stress.

The quick answer (so you can act fast)

Initial or reopened claim: You have 1 year from the date of loss to give your insurer notice.
Supplemental claim: You have 18 months from the date of loss to submit extra damage or added costs from the same event.
Special condo “loss assessment” coverage: There’s a separate timeline; see the condo note below.
Insurer timing: After you report, your carrier generally has 60 days to pay or deny (with a few exceptions), and must move much quicker on first responses and inspections.

You’ll find the full breakdown—and what each term means—below.

“How long do you have to file a claim in Florida?”

Here’s the plain version:

Initial claim = your first notice after damage happens. You have 1 year to report it.
Reopened claim = the insurer closed your claim, but you later ask them to look again at the same damage. You also have 1 year.
Supplemental claim = additional damage or costs from the same event after you already reported—think hidden water damage found during repairs. You have 18 months.

These clocks all start on the date of loss (for storms, that’s the event date—more on that below).

Florida homeowners insurance claim laws: what actually changed?

A few years back, Florida shortened the filing windows to cut down on late claims. The current rules are:

1 year to report initial or reopened claims.
18 months to report supplemental claims.

That’s it. No more two- or three-year windows. So if you’ve been sitting on damage from last year’s storm, don’t wait.

What “date of loss” really means (and why it matters)

Your deadline is tied to the date of loss:

For hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms, heavy rain, and other weather events, your “date of loss” is the calendar date of the event that NOAA verifies.
For non-storm issues (pipe burst, accidental fire, theft), use the actual date the loss happened or when you discovered it (check your policy wording for how discovery is handled).

Tip: drop that date into your calendar with a reminder 10 months later. That gives you a two-month buffer before the 1-year cutoff.

What’s the difference between reopened vs. supplemental?

Think of it like this:

Reopened = “Please take another look at the same damage you already closed.”
Supplemental = “We found more covered damage or extra costs from the same event.”

Why you care: Reopened claims follow the 1-year rule; supplemental claims follow the 18-month rule. Mixing them up can blow a deadline.

Condo owners: the loss-assessment timeline is its own thing

If you’re dealing with loss-assessment coverage (when your association levies an assessment because of a covered loss), you still have to act fast:

You must give notice no later than 3 years after the loss, and
You must also meet the later of 1 year from the loss or 90 days after the board votes to levy the assessment.

If your board votes late, that 90-day piece can save you—but don’t rely on it. As soon as there’s talk of an assessment, get your notice in.

Your insurer has deadlines too (use them to keep your claim moving)

Once you give notice:

First response: Your insurer has 7 days to acknowledge your claim.
Inspection: If a physical inspection is needed, the carrier’s licensed adjuster should do it within 30 days after your proof-of-loss is received.
Their estimate: If an adjuster generates a detailed estimate, the carrier must send you a copy within 7 days of creating it.
Pay or deny: The carrier generally has 60 days from your notice to pay or deny (or partially pay) your claim, unless factors outside their control apply. Interest can accrue on late payments.

Keep these dates handy. If the process stalls, politely cite the timeline and ask for status in writing.

Simple deadline calculator (use this every time)

Mark the date of loss.
Initial or reopened claim? Your last day to report = Date of loss + 1 year.
Supplemental claim? Last day = Date of loss + 18 months.
Condo loss assessment? You must give notice by the later of:
- Date of loss + 1 year, or
- Within 90 days after the board votes to levy the assessment,
  and in all cases no later than 3 years from the loss.

Add a reminder 30 days before each deadline just in case.

What counts as “notice” to your insurer?

Policies spell this out under Duties After Loss. In most cases, “notice” means you’ve reported the claim to the insurer or the channel they specify (portal, phone, or written notice). Don’t wait to gather every document—report first, then upload details as you collect them. If your carrier gives you a claim number, you’ve started the clock on their obligations too.

Missed the window—now what?

Be honest with yourself about timing:

If you’re just past a deadline, talk to a licensed attorney or a public adjuster right away. There are limited tolling rules (for example, military deployment), but that’s specific and not something to count on.
If you’re still inside the window, file now. Even a basic notice protects your spot while you line up contractors and documents.

Avoid these common mistakes (they’re all deadline killers)

Waiting for bids before reporting. File first; you can supplement later.
Calling the roofer, not the carrier. Your insurer needs the notice, not just your contractor.
Labeling a claim the wrong way. If it should be “supplemental,” say so. If it’s “reopened,” say that.
Forgetting condo timelines. If there’s an assessment coming, that 90-day rule matters.
Letting emails drift. If you don’t hear back, send a written status request and keep copies.

Your next steps (a 10-minute plan)

Write down the date of loss.
Report the claim today through your carrier’s required channel.
Save the claim number and every email.
Send photos and a short list of damage.
Ask for inspection timing and keep a simple timeline.
Calendar the 60-day mark so you know when payment/denial should land.

Final thoughts

You don’t have to know every statute by heart—you just need to report on time and keep a clean paper trail. Hit the 1-year or 18-month window, use the insurer timelines to keep things moving, and don’t be shy about asking for updates in writing. That alone protects a big chunk of your rights—and your payout.

Florida’s New Claim Filing Deadlines: What You Need To Know

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