If a hurricane hits your Florida home while you're out of state, your first priorities are getting a trusted person to inspect it safely, documenting the damage with photos, making temporary repairs to prevent more damage and reporting your claim quickly. Florida law gives you 1 year from landfall to file a new claim, but the Florida Department of Financial Services advises reporting as soon as possible.
This step-by-step plan from True North Home Watch is for owners in Naples, Marco Island and Bonita Springs who can't get home right away. It isn't legal advice, and your policy controls.
Key takeaways
- Safety first: Ready.gov says return only when officials say it's safe, and the CDC warns to stay clear of fallen power lines.
- Get a trusted person in the home quickly. Water damage should be dried within 24–48 hours to prevent mold, per the EPA.
- Photograph everything before cleanup, and keep receipts for emergency repairs.
- Florida DFS says your policy requires temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
- Florida law: new claims within 1 year of landfall, supplemental claims within 18 months (Fla. Stat. 627.70132).
What should I do in the first 24 hours after the storm?
- Stay safe and stay informed. Follow local officials for your county. Don't rush back into an evacuation zone.
- Call your home watch company. If you have a storm plan, your home should already be on the priority list.
- Find your policy. Locate your policy number, your insurer's claims line and your agent's contact.
- Check in with neighbors or your association for early reports from your street or building.
- Don't sign anything. The Florida Department of Financial Services warns homeowners not to sign contracts in the rush after a storm and to call its helpline first.
How do I get eyes on my home if I can't get there?
Travel is hard after a hurricane. Flights may be canceled, roads may be closed and your community may restrict access for a while. Ready.gov advises returning home only when it is safe to do so.
That's where a local, trusted inspector matters. Once officials allow access and it's safe, the inspection should cover:
- The roof, soffit and gutters from the ground, plus windows, doors and screens
- Water intrusion and leaks in accessible areas, especially ceilings and exterior walls
- The pool cage, lanai, landscaping and any fallen trees or debris
- The dock, seawall and boat, if you have them
- Whether power is on and the A/C is running, because humidity rises fast in a closed, wet home
The CDC warns to stay clear of fallen power lines and not to enter a damaged building until local authorities say it's safe. A professional will follow those rules too.
True North's Hurricane Protection Package includes a client-priority post-storm inspection for visible damage and water intrusion, a prompt report with photos, help coordinating service providers and insurance claim assistance if you need it. It's a flat fee per storm: $450 for homes up to 2,500 sq. ft. or $600 for 2,501 to 5,000 sq. ft.
How should the damage be documented?
Documentation is the backbone of your claim. Ready.gov advises documenting property damage with photographs. The Florida Department of Financial Services also tells homeowners to take pictures of the damage and keep all receipts for emergency repair materials.
- Wide shots first of each side of the home and each room, then close-ups of damage.
- Show water lines on walls, stains on ceilings and wet flooring.
- Photograph damaged belongings before anything is moved or thrown away.
- Keep a written log of dates, times and who was in the home.
If you had home watch visits before the storm, the pre-storm photo report gives you a "before" picture to compare with the "after." That comparison can make a claim much clearer.
Do I have to make temporary repairs?
Yes. The Florida Department of Financial Services says you are required by your insurance contract to make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. That can mean tarping a roof, boarding a broken window or drying out wet areas.
Speed matters with water. The EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. In a Florida home that's closed up and humid, mold can follow a leak quickly.
Before any cleanup, photograph everything. The DFS notes your adjuster needs to see the damage, so ask your insurer before you throw damaged items away. Keep every receipt.
With your approval, True North can coordinate service providers and let them in through our vendor access service, so repairs start without you having to fly in.
How and when do I file a claim in Florida?
| Claim type | Florida deadline (Fla. Stat. 627.70132) |
|---|---|
| New or reopened claim | Within 1 year after the date of loss |
| Supplemental claim | Within 18 months after the date of loss |
| Date of loss for a hurricane | The date the hurricane made landfall |
Those are the outer limits. The Florida Department of Financial Services advises reporting your claim as soon as possible. Early reporting gets you in the adjuster's queue sooner, and it's easier to document damage while it's fresh.
When you file, have your policy number, your photos, your repair receipts and any home watch reports ready. If you have questions about the process, the DFS consumer helpline is 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).
What should I keep in a storm file?
Keep one folder, paper or digital, that you can reach from anywhere:
- Your policy declarations page, policy number and claims phone number
- Your agent's name, phone and email
- Your home watch company's contact and your storm plan details
- Recent home watch reports and your own pre-season photos
- Receipts for any repairs, tarps or materials
How do I avoid scams after a storm?
Storms bring out good contractors and bad ones. The Florida DFS message is simple: don't sign anything until you've called its helpline. Be careful with anyone who:
- Knocks on the door or calls you out of the blue
- Asks for a large payment up front
- Pressures you to sign today
A local home watch company that already works for you is a steadier point of contact than a stranger with a clipboard.
How do I prepare for the next storm?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking around September 10. Before the next one:
- Set up regular home watch visits, so there's always a recent photo record of your home.
- Reserve a storm plan with priority pre- and post-storm inspections.
- Decide who will handle shutters, and put it in writing.
- Keep your policy, agent contact and home watch contact in one place you can reach from anywhere.
Getting ready before you leave for the season? Our closing-up checklist covers storm prep, and our guide to vacant home insurance covers the questions to ask your agent.
Be ready before the next storm
Reserve True North's Hurricane Protection Package for priority inspections, photo records and claim help.
Get a Free Quote Call (239) 301-8657What do out-of-state owners ask after a hurricane?
What if my home watch company finds damage before I know about it?
With True North, you'll hear about it right away with photos. With your approval, we can coordinate temporary repairs and service providers, let adjusters in and help with your insurance claim. That way the most time-sensitive work starts even while you're still out of state.
How long do I have to file a hurricane claim in Florida?
Under Florida Statute 627.70132, notice of a new or reopened property insurance claim must be given within 1 year after the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months. For hurricanes, the date of loss is the date the storm made landfall. The Florida Department of Financial Services advises reporting your claim as soon as possible.
Do I have to make temporary repairs after a hurricane?
The Florida Department of Financial Services says homeowners are required by their insurance contract to make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Take pictures of the damage first and keep all receipts for materials purchased for emergency repairs.
Should I throw away damaged items after a storm?
Not before your adjuster has seen them, if you can help it. The Florida Department of Financial Services notes the adjuster needs to see the damage. Photograph everything, and ask your insurer before disposing of damaged property.
Who can inspect my Florida home after a hurricane if I'm out of state?
A home watch company can. True North Home Watch's Hurricane Protection Package includes a priority post-storm inspection for visible damage and water intrusion, a prompt photo report, help coordinating service providers and insurance claim assistance if needed.
How do I avoid contractor scams after a hurricane?
The Florida Department of Financial Services tells homeowners, 'Don't sign anything,' and to call its helpline first at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236). Be cautious with anyone who knocks on the door, asks for large upfront payments or pressures you to sign right away.
When is it safe to return home after a hurricane?
Ready.gov advises returning home from an evacuation only when it's safe to do so and when local officials say it's okay. The CDC warns to stay clear of fallen power lines and not to enter a damaged building until local authorities determine it's safe.
Sources
- Florida Statutes 627.70132: Notice of property insurance claim
- Florida Department of Financial Services: General disaster FAQs
- Florida Department of Financial Services: Storm resources
- Ready.gov: Hurricane hazard information sheet
- CDC: Staying safe after a hurricane
- EPA: A brief guide to mold, moisture and your home
- National Hurricane Center: Tropical cyclone climatology