Water damage and Florida homeowners insurance: what to know.
Coverage depends on your policy, but a few basics apply to most Florida homeowners. This page is general information, not insurance advice. If you need the damage dried, one free call connects you with a local restoration company.
If you have water in your home right now, shut off the water, take photos, and call your insurance company. Many insurers can send a restoration company out quickly.
Before you file
What's usually covered, and what isn't
- Sudden and accidental
- Burst pipes, failed water heaters and appliance hose failures. These are the water claims homeowners policies most often cover.
- Long-term leaks
- Damage from a slow leak or seepage over weeks or months is commonly excluded or limited.
- Flooding
- Rising water from storm surge or heavy rain usually needs a separate flood policy, through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer.
- Mold
- Many Florida policies have a separate mold limit, often lower than the rest of the coverage.
- Hurricanes
- Florida policies usually have a separate hurricane deductible, often a percentage of your dwelling coverage.
Prevent more damage
Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to keep damage from getting worse, like shutting off the water and starting to dry things out. Document first, then act.
Signing over your benefits
For Florida homeowners policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, assignment of benefits to contractors is generally no longer allowed. That means you'll typically work with your insurer yourself. Be cautious of anyone asking you to sign over your insurance benefits.
Condo owners: the association's master policy and your own unit policy usually cover different parts of the damage. Your policy and your insurance agent have the final word on all of this.
How this works
You call and tell us your ZIP code and what happened. We connect your call to an independent, licensed restoration company that works in your area. They come out, look at the damage, and give you a quote.
We don't do the work and we don't charge you. The company you're connected with may pay us for the referral. Any price or agreement is between you and them.
Questions people ask
Should I call my insurer or a restoration company first?
Stop the water and document first. Many people call both the same day. Starting drying quickly helps prevent more damage, which most policies expect.
Will filing a water claim raise my rates?
It can. Talk to your agent about your situation.
What if the damage is less than my deductible?
Then you'd pay for it yourself. A restoration company can give you a quote so you can decide whether to file.
Do restoration companies work with insurance?
Many do every day, including documenting moisture readings and damage for the adjuster.