At a glance
- Who
- Florida homeowners who report a claim to their property insurer.
- What
- A statement of rights plus insurer deadlines: acknowledge in 7 days, send the Bill of Rights in 14, pay or deny in 60.
- When
- The clocks start when you first communicate the claim.
- Where
- Florida Statutes section 627.7142. Your insurer sends the notice.
- Why
- Knowing the dates lets you spot a late insurer and ask about it in writing.
The short answer
The Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights is a notice your insurer must give you after you report a claim. It sits in Florida Statutes 627.7142. The same section sets time limits that the insurer has to meet.
The insurer must send you the Bill of Rights within 14 days after it receives your first communication about the claim. That is the date to circle first. If you reported a claim and never saw the notice, ask the insurer for it in writing.
This page is general information, not legal advice. We are a contractor, not a lawyer or an insurance adjuster.
The four deadlines in the statute
Four time limits in section 627.7142 matter most to a homeowner.
| What the insurer must do | Time limit |
|---|---|
| Acknowledge the reported claim | Within 7 days after you communicate it |
| Give you the Bill of Rights | Within 14 days after the initial communication about the claim |
| Say whether the claim is covered, partly covered, denied or still under investigation | Within 30 days of a complete proof-of-loss statement, if you ask in writing |
| Pay the full settlement or the undisputed part, or deny the claim | Within 60 days |
If the insurer does not pay or deny within 60 days, interest may accrue from the date you filed the claim.
Have storm damage and need a repair estimate?
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Prefer to talk now? Call or text (941) 284-2218.
What the 30-day rule needs from you
The 30-day answer is not automatic. It runs from a complete proof-of-loss statement, and it applies when you ask for it in writing. Ask by email or letter so you have a record.
Ask your insurer which proof-of-loss form it wants and what makes one complete. We did not find an official checklist for that, so the insurer is the right source.
Keep your own calendar
These deadlines bind the insurer, but nobody will track them for you. A simple log helps.
- Write down the date you first told the insurer about the loss, and how you told them.
- Count 7 days and 14 days from that date. Mark both.
- Save every email, letter and claim number.
- If a date passes with no answer, ask about it in writing and keep a copy.
The other deadline you need is the one for filing a claim at all. We cover it in our guide to the Florida hurricane claim deadline.
We could not confirm the full list of rights printed in the Bill of Rights notice. Read the notice your insurer sends and the statute itself.
What the Bill of Rights does not do
It does not decide your claim, set your payout or make an insurer accept a repair bid. The statute gives timing rules. Whether the loss is covered depends on your policy and your insurer's decision.
It also does not tell you how to hire a contractor. Florida has separate rules on that. Contractors cannot handle your claim for you, and they cannot offer to waive your deductible. See our guide on hiring a contractor after a hurricane.
How Hildebrand handles this kind of work
Hildebrand Construction & Remodeling, LLC rebuilds storm-damaged homes in Manatee County, Sarasota County and south Hillsborough. We document the damage and coordinate the construction scope with your insurance adjuster, then rebuild to code.
We do not negotiate your claim. That is between you and your insurer, and the deadlines above are yours to watch. What we can give you is a written estimate for the repair work after an on-site visit, free of charge and with no trip fee. We pull every required permit and meet Florida Building Code inspections. See our home restoration service and how our jobs run.
Call or text (941) 284-2218, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Calls outside those hours are answered the next business day.
Questions homeowners ask
How long does my insurer have to acknowledge my claim in Florida?
Under Florida Statutes 627.7142, the insurer must acknowledge a reported claim within 7 days after you communicate it.
When must my insurer send the Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights?
Within 14 days after it receives your first communication about the claim. If you did not get it, ask for it in writing.
How long does my insurer have to pay or deny my claim?
Within 60 days, the insurer must pay the full settlement or the undisputed portion, or issue a denial. If it does not, interest may accrue from the date you filed the claim.
Does the Bill of Rights guarantee my claim will be paid?
No. It sets timing rules and a notice of rights. Coverage depends on your policy and the insurer's decision.
Ready to start storm repairs?
Get a free in-home consultation and written estimate from a Florida licensed contractor serving Manatee County, Sarasota County and south Hillsborough.