American Integrity Claim Denial Guide – Tampa, Florida

Introduction

Few things are more stressful for Tampa homeowners than receiving an unexpected letter that reads, ‘Your American Integrity claim has been denied.’ After investing in premiums to safeguard your home from Florida’s hurricanes, hail, wind, and notorious sinkholes, a denial can feel like a second disaster. Yet denials are not the final word. Florida insurance law and several state-run consumer programs give policyholders powerful tools to contest unfair decisions, recover covered losses, and even pursue damages when an insurer acts in bad faith. This comprehensive guide focuses on American Integrity claim denial Tampa situations, outlining your rights, the common reasons for denials, and a step-by-step roadmap to protect your investment and family.

American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida is headquartered in Tampa and underwrites tens of thousands of homeowner policies across the state. Because it focuses on hurricane-exposed regions, its adjusters and underwriting manuals place strict emphasis on roof age, water intrusion, and exclusions for pre-existing or long-term damage. When storms such as Hurricane Ian or Nicole strike, claim volume spikes, overwhelming carriers and sometimes leading to hurried investigations or blanket coverage defenses. Recent consumer complaints filed with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) show a measurable trend: denials citing wear and tear, lack of sudden event, or alleged misrepresentation. Understanding how Florida statutes regulate these practices is the first step toward overturning an unfavorable decision.

This guide is written with a slight bias toward Tampa policyholders. It translates complex statutes—like Fla. Stat. § 624.155 (bad faith) and § 627.70131 (insurer claim deadlines)—into plain-English action items. You will learn how to challenge an American Integrity claim denial, whether through Florida’s free mediation program, the appraisal process, or by filing a Civil Remedy Notice (CRN). If the carrier still refuses to pay, the Louis Law Group’s experienced Florida insurance attorneys stand ready to fight for your benefits. Call 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation.

Understanding Your Rights in Florida

Florida’s Homeowner Bill of Rights

In 2014, the Florida Legislature enacted the Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights (Fla. Stat. § 627.7142). Although insurers must provide this notice within 14 days of a claim, many homeowners overlook its protections. Key rights include:

• Written acknowledgment of your claim within 14 days.
• A coverage decision—fully paid, partially paid, or denied—within 60 days under § 627.70131.
• Access to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) Mediation Program for disputed claims under § 627.7015.

Bad Faith Protections

Fla. Stat. § 624.155 allows policyholders to sue insurers who fail to settle claims ‘when, under all circumstances, it could and should have done so had it acted fairly and honestly toward its insured.’ To preserve this right, homeowners must first file a Civil Remedy Notice with the DFS and give American Integrity a 60-day window to cure the violation. If the carrier does not rectify its misconduct, you may pursue extra-contractual damages, including attorneys’ fees and—in rare cases—punitive damages.

Statute of Limitations

Florida’s statute of limitations for breach of a written insurance contract is five years (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(2)(b)). This generous window means a claim denied today can still be litigated if new evidence surfaces, but prompt action preserves witnesses and physical proof.

Tampa-Specific Considerations

Hillsborough County experiences tropical storms almost yearly, plus localized sinkhole activity. The high frequency of claims sometimes leads American Integrity adjusters to classify damage as ‘pre-existing settlement’ or ‘flood related’ (flood is excluded under most homeowner policies). Knowing the difference between storm surge (flood) and wind-driven rain (covered) is essential. The Florida Supreme Court clarified in Sebo v. American Home Assurance Co., 208 So. 3d 694 (Fla. 2016), that if concurrent causes contribute to a loss and at least one cause is covered, insurers may still owe payment. This precedent can be powerful ammunition when wind and water are both at play.

Common Reasons American Integrity Denies Claims

Through review of publicly available Civil Remedy Notices and consumer complaints, the following denial reasons appear most frequently in American Integrity claim denial Tampa disputes. Recognizing these patterns helps you gather the right evidence at the outset.

Wear and Tear or Age-Related Deterioration Adjusters may assert your roof was past its life expectancy or that damage resulted from long-term deterioration. However, if a specific storm accelerated failure or created new openings, the sudden event should trigger coverage.Excluded Perils American Integrity policies typically exclude flood, earth movement, and repeated seepage. The carrier sometimes categorizes hurricane storm surge as flood, even though wind-driven rain or wind uplift is separately covered. A forensic engineer can separate these causes.Prefabricated Denial Letters for Late Reporting Under § 627.70132, hurricane claims must be reported within two years. American Integrity may allege ‘late reporting’ on non-hurricane claims too, but Florida law does not impose a hard deadline on non-hurricane losses—only the general five-year contract period applies. The insurer must still prove prejudice.Misrepresentation or Material False Statements If your application misstated roof age or prior claims, American Integrity may try to rescind coverage. Florida law requires the misrepresentation to be material to the risk and made with intent to deceive (Fla. Stat. § 627.409).Pre-Existing or Ongoing Sinkhole Activity Tampa’s karst topography creates sinkhole risk. Policies cover ‘catastrophic ground cover collapse’ but not cosmetic cracks. Insurers may argue undermining is gradual. Independent geotechnical reports can counter this defense.

Florida Legal Protections & Regulations

Oversight Agencies

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) licenses carriers and tracks complaint ratios. The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) hosts the Consumer Helpline (1-877-693-5236) and supervises mediation. You can review insurer complaint data at the OIR’s website: Florida OIR.### Prompt Pay Statute – § 627.70131

Insurers must pay or deny claims within 60 days unless factors outside their control prevent them. Failure triggers interest penalties under § 627.70131(5)(a). Keep records of every delay.

Appraisal Clause

Most American Integrity policies include an appraisal provision, allowing each side to hire an appraiser and, if needed, an umpire. While appraisal can resolve amount-of-loss disputes, it does not decide coverage. Carefully review any ‘right to repair’ endorsements before demanding appraisal.

Recent Case Law Involving American Integrity

• American Integrity Ins. Co. v. Estrada, 276 So. 3d 905 (Fla. 3d DCA 2019) – confirmed that appraisal can proceed even when the insurer disputes causation, if the policy language is broad.
• American Integrity Ins. Co. v. Puerto, 319 So. 3d 165 (Fla. 4th DCA 2021) – held that an insurer’s refusal to pay for matching roof shingles may violate the ‘matching statute’ (§ 626.9744) if replacement items are not reasonably uniform.

Civil Remedy Notice (CRN)

Before filing a bad-faith lawsuit, you must submit a CRN through the DFS portal detailing violations and a cure amount. American Integrity then has 60 days to fix the issue. Many claims resolve promptly once a CRN is filed because the insurer wants to avoid statutory bad-faith exposure.

Steps to Take After an American Integrity Denial

1. Request a Full Certified Copy of Your Policy

You are entitled to the declarations, insuring agreements, endorsements, and exclusions. Confirm whether special Tampa or Hillsborough County endorsements apply, such as a separate sinkhole deductible or cosmetic damage exclusion.

2. Preserve Evidence

• Photograph and video all damage, showing date stamp where possible.
• Keep damaged materials (shingles, drywall) in a safe place for inspection.
• Obtain weather data from the nearest NOAA station—this can link wind speeds or hail to your property.

3. Obtain an Independent Inspection

A licensed Florida public adjuster or structural engineer can provide an unbiased report. Many work on contingency, charging a percentage only if you recover additional benefits. Their findings frequently counter insurer engineers who rely on ‘visual only’ roof reviews.

4. File a Written Reconsideration or Supplemental Claim

Under § 627.70132(4), supplemental hurricane claims are allowed within three years of landfall. For non-hurricane events, send a demand letter citing any new evidence. Use certified mail to establish timelines.

5. Engage Florida’s Free Mediation or Neutral Evaluation

The DFS Mediation Program (Florida CFO) provides an impartial mediator at no cost to the homeowner. For sinkhole disputes, neutral evaluation under § 627.7074 offers geologic expertise.### 6. Consider Appraisal

If the dispute is about the amount, not coverage, appraisal can be faster than litigation. However, appraisal awards are binding, so consult an attorney before invoking it.

7. File a Civil Remedy Notice

Draft the CRN carefully, listing every statutory violation—§ 624.155(1)(b)(1) (not attempting in good faith to settle fairly) and § 626.9541(1)(i) (unfair claim settlement) are common. Attach photographs, expert reports, and a cure demand for policy limits plus interest.

8. Litigation

If American Integrity does not cure within 60 days, you may file suit in Hillsborough County Circuit Court. Under Fla. Stat. § 627.428, insurers must pay your attorney’s fees if you recover any additional amount in judgment.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

Not every denial requires immediate litigation, but certain red flags suggest it is time to contact an attorney:

• The denial cites misrepresentation or fraud accusations.
• American Integrity ignores your written correspondence for more than 14 days.
• The insurer demands an Examination Under Oath (EUO) while withholding its own engineer report.
• Your home is uninhabitable, and additional living expense (ALE) benefits are denied.
• You feel pressured to sign a lowball settlement within 10 days.

Florida insurance litigation is highly technical. Adjusters know policy form AIIC HO3-15 front to back, while most homeowners see it only after a loss. Hiring counsel levels the playing field. The Louis Law Group’s attorneys are licensed in all Florida courts, have handled hundreds of American Integrity claim denial Tampa cases, and work on contingency—no fees unless you win. Call 833-657-4812 for a free policy review and strategy session.

Local Resources & Next Steps

State and County Contacts

• Florida Department of Financial Services Consumer Helpline: 1-877-693-5236 DFS Mediation Program: Online request portal at DFS Consumer ServicesFlorida Bar Lawyer Referral Service: Find a Florida Attorney- Hillsborough County Property Appraiser: property records useful for proving roof age. National Hurricane Center: Storm Data & Advisories

Climate Considerations for Tampa Homeowners

Tampa’s coastal location exposes properties to Category 3 and 4 hurricane winds, torrential rain, and storm surge. NOAA studies show the Tampa Bay area has a 22 % annual probability of experiencing tropical-storm-force winds. Additionally, the U.S. Geological Survey maps Hillsborough County among Florida’s highest sinkhole hazard regions. These realities make robust coverage and prompt, fair claim handling essential.

Your Immediate Action Checklist

• Read the denial letter in full—note dates and stated policy provisions.
• Gather photographs, receipts, and maintenance records.
• Schedule an independent inspection within seven days.
• Call the DFS Consumer Helpline for mediation eligibility.
• Consult the Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free evaluation.

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and the facts of every claim differ. You should consult a qualified Florida attorney to obtain advice tailored to your situation.

Need Help? If American Integrity denied your claim, call 833-657-4812 to speak with the Louis Law Group. Our Florida insurance lawyers will review your policy, investigate the denial, and fight for the benefits you paid for—at no upfront cost to you.