The four core documents
Every Florida homeowner policy includes:
- Declarations page: named insured, property address, policy period, coverage amounts, deductibles
- Policy form (typically ISO HO-3 or a carrier variant): the main contract with coverages and exclusions
- Endorsements: add-ons, riders, sublimits, and exclusions that modify the base form
- Schedules: personal articles floaters, scheduled property, other itemized additions
When interpreting coverage, all four work together.
Reading the declarations page
Key items:
- Coverage A (Dwelling): main structure limit
- Coverage B (Other Structures): detached garage, fence, shed (typically 10% of A)
- Coverage C (Personal Property / Contents): typically 50–75% of A
- Coverage D (Loss of Use / ALE): typically 20% of A
- Coverage E (Personal Liability): liability protection
- Standard deductible: applies to most perils
- Hurricane / Named Storm deductible: often 2–5% of Coverage A
Reading the policy form
Key sections to locate:
- Insuring agreement: what's covered (named perils or all-risk)
- Exclusions: what's not covered
- Conditions: duties after loss, appraisal clause, loss settlement provisions, mediation clause
- Definitions: how specific terms are interpreted (critical for disputes)
Exclusions hide in endorsements
A common carrier trick: the base policy is broadly covered, but endorsements narrow coverage. Examples:
- Limited water endorsement: caps water damage at $10,000 regardless of underlying peril
- Cosmetic damage exclusion: excludes cosmetic-only damage to roofs and exteriors
- Wear and maintenance exclusion: excludes pre-existing condition damage
- Anti-concurrent causation clause: excludes damage when ANY cause is excluded, even if others are covered
Read every endorsement. Every single one.
What to focus on for a claim
- Identify the applicable coverage (A, B, C, D)
- Identify the cause of loss and match to the insuring agreement
- Check for exclusions that might apply
- Check for endorsements that expand or limit coverage
- Identify deductibles (standard vs. named storm)
- Locate the appraisal clause, mediation clause, and duties after loss
- Note the loss settlement provision (ACV vs. RCV)