Day 0: Date of loss
The clock on all statutory deadlines starts. Document immediately.
Day 0–7: Notice and acknowledgment
Your action: Notify carrier (phone + written). Get claim number.
Carrier's deadline: 7 days to acknowledge (Fla. Stat. 627.70131).
Typical practice: Acknowledgment within 1–3 days. Late acknowledgment is a bad-faith indicator.
Day 7–30: Inspection
Your action: Prepare documentation, retain representation if warranted.
Carrier's deadline: 30 days to begin inspection (Fla. Stat. 627.70131).
Typical practice: Inspection scheduled within 7–21 days post-notice. Catastrophe events extend this significantly (30–60 days).
Day 30–60: Initial decision
Your action: Respond to RFI, submit your own documentation.
Carrier's deadline: 60 days to pay, deny, or advise of coverage status (Fla. Stat. 627.70131).
Typical practice: Initial estimate/offer within 45–75 days on standard claims.
Day 60–180: Negotiation and resolution
Your action: Counter-offer with documented scope. Submit supplementals as new damage emerges.
Carrier handling: Responds to counter-offers, requests additional documentation, moves through approval chain.
Typical resolution: 60–180 days for most claims.
18 months: Supplemental deadline
Statutory cutoff: Fla. Stat. 627.70132: 18 months from date of loss for supplemental claims.
Critical date to calendar.
12–36 months: Litigation (if needed)
For claims that escalate to first-party litigation, expect 12–36 months for resolution. Discovery, depositions, motion practice, and potentially trial.
Deadlines for specific claim types
Hurricane claims
- Same statutory framework (627.70131, 627.70132)
- Actual handling extends due to carrier catastrophe-team load
- Typical full resolution: 6–18 months
Fire claims
- Same framework
- Complex scope documentation extends handling
- Typical: 90–180 days for initial resolution
Mold / water damage
- Same framework
- Secondary damage discovery drives supplementals
- Typical: 90–180 days
Sinkhole claims
- Fla. Stat. 627.706 adds specific procedural requirements
- Neutral evaluator option
- 2-year SOL (shorter than contract)
- Typical: 180–365 days
What slows things down
- Scope disputes requiring extensive documentation
- Expert engagement
- Supervisor and manager review cycles at carrier
- Reinsurance notification for large losses
- Legal review for denials
- Policyholder responsiveness to RFIs
- Inadequate initial documentation
What accelerates things
- Clean initial documentation
- Responsive communication
- Proactive representation
- Clear statutory citation
- Well-prepared supplementals
When to escalate
- Statutory deadline missed: document it
- Pattern of delay: cite 627.70131, file DFS complaint
- Material non-response: CRN preparation
- Bad-faith indicators: CRN filing, attorney consultation
Tracking your claim timeline
Keep a running log:
- Date of loss
- Notice date
- Acknowledgment date
- Inspection date
- Initial offer date
- Each communication dated and summarized
- Response deadlines on each side
This log becomes exhibits in any escalation.