⚡ Key Takeaways at a Glance
- Safety first: never walk on a wet or damaged roof after a storm. Inspect from the ground with binoculars or drone cameras.
- Document everything before touching debris: photograph wide angles of the property and close-ups of fallen branches or displaced tiles.
- Florida homeowners have a statutory duty to mitigate further damages (e.g. professional tarping). Keep all receipts.
- Notice of claim must be submitted within 1 year of the hurricane date under Florida Statute § 627.70132.
Phase 1: Immediate Safety & Ground Inspection
Stay clear of downed power lines and check your attic before inspecting the roof exterior. Water entering light fixtures poses an immediate fire and shock hazard—turn off affected circuit breakers immediately.
Check ceilings and drywall for bulging or discoloration. Puncturing a small hole in a sagging water-logged ceiling into a bucket can prevent a sudden catastrophic ceiling collapse.
Phase 2: Comprehensive Photo & Video Documentation
Before moving debris or making temporary repairs, take timestamped photos and video walkthroughs of every room, attic space, and all exterior elevations. Capture missing ridge caps, wind-creased shingles, battered drip edges, and gutters torn loose by wind vortexes.
Phase 3: Emergency Dry-In & Tarping
Insurance policies require the homeowner to take reasonable precautions to protect property from further water intrusion. Professional sandbagged or batten-secured tarping protects the interior and the expense is typically reimbursable under your policy.
Phase 4: Contacting a Vetted Local Contractor
Out-of-state "storm chasers" descend on Central Florida after hurricanes, subcontracting work to untested crews and disappearing before warranties can be claimed. Verify that your roofer has a local physical office and a verified Florida license (CCC1334348).
General educational information, not legal or formal insurance adjusting advice. Always confirm specific requirements with your insurance carrier and local municipal building department.