Florida Property Insurance Claim Deadlines: How Long You Really Have
Florida tightened its claim deadlines in recent reforms. Miss one and an otherwise valid claim can be denied on timing alone. Here are the dates that matter.
Last reviewed July 2026. General guidance, not legal advice.
Two clocks run on every Florida property claim: the statute of limitations set by law, and the much shorter prompt-notice duty set by your policy. The policy clock almost always runs out first.
The statutory deadlines (Fla. Stat. 627.70132)
- Initial or reopened claim: must be reported within 1 year of the date of loss.
- Supplemental claim: must be reported within 18 months of the date of loss.
Your policy’s prompt-notice duty comes first
Separate from the statute, your policy requires notice "promptly" or "as soon as practicable." Carriers use late notice as a defense, arguing it prejudiced their investigation. The safe rule is to report within days, not months.
Before you sue: the notice of intent
Under Florida Statute 627.70152, before filing suit on most property policies you must give the Department of Financial Services written notice of intent to litigate at least 10 business days beforehand, and not before the insurer has made a coverage decision.
Florida Property Insurance Claim Deadlines: How Long You Really Have FAQs
A claim reported after the statutory window can be denied on timing alone, regardless of how valid the damage is. Report as early as possible.
Yes. Under Fla. Stat. 627.70132 a supplemental claim (additional damages found after the first payment) must be reported within 18 months of the date of loss.
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Foremost Public Adjusters has recovered millions for policyholders across South Florida. If your claim was denied, delayed, or underpaid, we will review it for free. No recovery, no fee.