Florida property owners often discover additional roof damage or higher repair costs after an insurance claim has already been filed or adjusted. When that happens, the policyholder may be able to submit a supplemental insurance claim. However, Florida law establishes important deadlines, and missing the applicable deadline can put additional benefits at risk.
Under Florida Statute § 627.70132, a supplemental property insurance claim generally must be reported to the insurer within 18 months after the date of loss. The statute defines a supplemental claim as a claim for additional loss or damage from the same covered peril that was previously adjusted, or additional costs incurred while completing repairs or replacement under an open claim for which timely notice was previously provided.
What Is a Supplemental Roofing Claim?
A supplemental claim is different from filing an entirely new claim. For example, a commercial building owner may initially report storm damage to a roof. The insurer may inspect the property and issue a payment based on its estimate. During the repair process, the roofing contractor may discover additional concealed damage, code-required work, additional labor, or necessary repairs that were not included in the original estimate.
If those additional costs arise from the same covered loss, the policyholder may submit them as a supplemental claim.
For roofing projects, common examples can include additional roof decking damage, unforeseen substrate deterioration caused by the covered event, additional flashing work, code-related requirements when covered by the policy, or differences between the insurer’s original estimate and the reasonable cost of completing covered repairs.
The Current Florida Deadline Is 18 Months
Florida’s current statute provides that a supplemental property insurance claim is barred unless notice is given to the insurer, in accordance with the policy, within 18 months after the date of loss. This is different from the deadline for an initial property insurance claim, which is generally one year after the date of loss under the current statute.
This deadline has changed over time, which is important when dealing with older Florida insurance claims. Earlier versions of Florida law used longer deadlines for certain property claims, including a three-year deadline for supplemental claims. The applicable deadline can therefore depend on the date of the loss, the policy, and the law governing that claim.
For weather-related losses such as hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms, severe rain, and other qualifying weather events, Florida law specifies how the date of loss is determined. For example, a hurricane’s date of loss is tied to its landfall, while certain other weather events use the date verified by NOAA.
Do Not Wait Until the Roof Is Fully Repaired
Property owners should not assume they can wait until a roofing project is finished before addressing additional damage. If new information indicates that the original insurance estimate is incomplete, the supplemental claim should be documented and submitted promptly.
A strong supplemental claim typically includes the original claim information, photographs, inspection findings, contractor estimates, invoices when available, documentation explaining the additional work, and evidence connecting the additional damage or costs to the original covered event.
Florida law also requires insurers to address initial, reopened, and supplemental claims within specified timeframes. Generally, an insurer must pay or deny a claim or a portion of a claim within 60 days after receiving notice, subject to statutory exceptions.
What Florida Property Owners Should Do
If you believe your commercial roof has additional storm-related damage that was not included in the original insurance adjustment:
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Review the original insurance estimate and claim file.
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Have the roof professionally inspected.
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Document newly discovered or previously omitted damage.
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Obtain a detailed roofing estimate identifying the additional work.
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Notify the insurer and submit the supplemental claim according to the policy requirements.
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Keep copies of all photographs, estimates, invoices, correspondence, and inspection reports.
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Act well before the applicable statutory deadline.
Bottom Line
For most Florida property insurance losses under the current law, the deadline for notifying an insurer of a supplemental claim is 18 months from the date of loss. However, older claims can be governed by different rules, and the insurance policy itself may contain additional notice requirements. Florida Statute § 627.70132 also makes clear that statutory claim deadlines do not eliminate other applicable limitations governing lawsuits.
If a Florida commercial roof has additional damage or repair costs that were not included in the original insurance claim, property owners should act promptly rather than waiting until the deadline approaches. Shieldline Roofing can help document roof conditions and prepare detailed repair information that can support the insurance claim process.
This article provides general information and is not legal or insurance-claims advice. Because deadlines can depend on the loss date, policy language, and applicable law, property owners should consult their insurance professional or qualified Florida attorney regarding a specific claim.
Related Questions
- How do I file a commercial roof insurance claim in Florida?
- What happens if I don’t complete repairs within the 6-month timeframe for 6RCV?
- How have recent Florida legislative changes affected roofing claims?
- What are the compliance deadlines for milestone inspections?
- What is the statute of repose for roofing work in Florida?
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