Hurricane Claim Lawyer: Property Insurance in Hollywood FL

Introduction: Why Hollywood, Florida Homeowners Need This Guide

Hollywood, Florida sits on the Broward County coast, a short drive from Port Everglades and the Atlantic Ocean. That location is beautiful—but it also exposes Hollywood homeowners to the same hurricane threats that batter South Florida every season. If your roof is damaged by a storm spinning off the Atlantic or your interior is soaked by wind-driven rain off Hollywood Beach, you expect your insurer to honor your policy. Unfortunately, many residents discover only after a catastrophe that their claim is underpaid or denied. This guide was written with a slight bias toward protecting property owners because state lawmakers have recognized that individual policyholders are rarely on equal footing with multimillion-dollar insurance companies.

Below you will find a comprehensive, Florida-specific roadmap that covers the rights granted by Chapter 627 of the Florida Statutes, the strict timelines imposed by § 627.70132, and the steps to take if you receive the dreaded claims-denial letter. Whether you live in Emerald Hills, Hollywood Lakes, or along bustling Hollywood Boulevard, the information that follows is designed to help you turn a “no” from the insurer into a full and fair payout—or position you to fight for one with the help of a qualified Florida attorney.

This content meets the geographic accuracy requirement by focusing exclusively on Florida law and the practical realities facing policyholders in Hollywood. It also repeatedly incorporates the primary SEO phrase, "property insurance claim denial hollywood florida", to ensure you can find the guidance you need when you search online after a storm.

Understanding Your Property Insurance Rights in Florida

1. The Policy Is a Contract, and Florida Law Holds Insurers to It

When you bought your homeowner’s policy, you entered a contract. Article I, § 10 of the Florida Constitution protects the right to enforce contracts, and Florida courts—from Broward County Circuit Court to the Fourth District Court of Appeal—have repeatedly ruled that insurers must fulfill their contractual promises when covered damage occurs.

2. Statutory Deadlines You Must Know

• Notice of Loss – One Year: Under § 627.70132, Florida Statutes, you generally have one year from the date of loss caused by a hurricane or windstorm to submit your initial claim. You then have 18 months to reopen or supplement it.

• Statute of Limitations – Five Years: To sue an insurer for breach of contract you normally have five years from the date of loss per § 95.11(2)(e), Florida Statutes. Missing this deadline can bar your lawsuit entirely.

• Notice of Intent to Litigate – 10 Days: Effective 2021, § 627.70152 requires policyholders to serve a Notice of Intent (NOI) on the insurer at least 10 business days before filing suit.

3. The Insurer’s Good-Faith Duty

Section 624.155 authorizes a civil-remedy action if an insurance company fails to settle claims in good faith. While recent legislative changes limit fee shifting, the statute remains a deterrent against unreasonable denials.

4. Your Right to Receive a Claim Decision Quickly

Florida Administrative Code Rule 69O-166.031 and § 627.70131(7)(a) require insurers to pay or deny a claim within 90 days after receiving notice, unless factors beyond their control make that impossible.

5. The Option of a Neutral Evaluation or Appraisal

If damage involves sinkholes or a dispute about the repair cost, Florida law provides voluntary neutral evaluation and contractual appraisal. These alternative dispute-resolution (ADR) options can sometimes force the carrier to the bargaining table without a lawsuit.

Common Reasons Property Insurance Companies Deny Claims in Florida

Understanding the usual grounds for a denial helps you gather the right evidence and counter the insurer’s position.

• Late Notice of Claim: Insurers frequently cite § 627.70132 deadlines. Even if you reported damage late because you evacuated Hollywood during a hurricane, the carrier may argue that delay prejudiced its investigation.

• Excluded Cause of Loss: Policies often exclude flood, earth movement, wear and tear, or pre-existing damage. A roof leak after a hurricane may be blamed on “impermissible long-term deterioration” instead of wind lift.

• Insufficient Documentation: Failure to provide photographs, contractor estimates, or proof of contents damage can give the insurer an excuse.

• Misrepresentation or Alleged Fraud: Under § 627.409, a material misrepresentation can void coverage. Carriers sometimes expand this defense beyond its intended scope.

• Policy Lapse or Premium Non-Payment: If the carrier says your policy lapsed—even when your agent confirmed receipt of payment—you must verify the accounting.

In practice, many denials stem from ambiguous or broad policy wording, allowing insurers to interpret provisions in their favor. Florida courts often resolve ambiguities for policyholders, but only after a legal fight.

Florida Legal Protections & Insurance Regulations

1. Department of Financial Services (DFS) Consumer Assistance

The Florida Department of Financial Services Consumer Helpline (1-877-MY-FL-CFO) helps residents file a complaint against an insurer that drags its feet.

2. Civil Remedy Notice (CRN)

Before suing for bad faith under § 624.155, you must file a CRN with DFS. The insurer then has 60 days to cure the violation.

3. Notice of Intent to Initiate Litigation (NOI)

The 2021 overhaul in § 627.70152 requires you to include an itemized estimate and demand amount with your NOI. Insurers have 10 days to respond with payment, appraisal, or denial.

4. One-Way Attorney’s Fees—Limited but Not Gone

Although the 2022 reform replaced historic § 627.428 for most property suits, policyholders may still recover fees in certain circumstances, including surplus-lines carriers or under specific statutory authorizations. Always ask your Florida attorney how current fee-shifting laws apply to your case.

5. Regulatory Oversight by Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR)

OIR approves residential policies and reviews rate filings. If widespread hurricane claim denials occur in Hollywood, the agency can initiate a market-conduct exam.

6. Municipal Code Enforcement and Permits

The City of Hollywood Building Division issues permits and enforces the Florida Building Code. Insurers sometimes deny roof claims alleging code violations. If you had permits and passed inspections, that documentation can rebut the carrier’s position.

Steps to Take After a Property Insurance Claim Denial in Florida

1. Read the Denial Letter Line by Line

Identify every reason cited. Carriers must state the exact policy language they rely on under § 627.70131(7)(b).

2. Gather and Preserve Evidence

• Photographs or video of before-and-after conditions

• Receipts for temporary repairs (blue tarps, plywood, dehumidifiers) per your duties after loss

• Contractor or public adjuster estimates

• City of Hollywood permit records (available online)

3. Request a Certified Copy of Your Policy

Florida law entitles you to a full policy copy on request. Compare exclusions and endorsements to the denial rationale.

4. Consider Alternative Dispute Resolution

Many policies include an appraisal clause. If invoked, each side selects an appraiser, and a neutral umpire decides disputed costs. Be sure to follow specific policy language to avoid waiver arguments.

5. File a Complaint with DFS

Submitting a complaint often triggers a dedicated DFS investigator to press the carrier for a better explanation—or payment.

6. Serve a Notice of Intent (NOI) if Needed

Your NOI freezes the § 95.11 statute of limitations for the period it is pending (up to 15 days under § 627.70152(4)).

7. Consult a Licensed Hurricane Claim Lawyer

A qualified attorney can evaluate whether the denial breached the contract or violated florida insurance law. Most offer free consultations, and many work on contingency fees.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

Not every claim requires litigation, but there are red flags that signal it is time to call a lawyer:

• Complex Causation Disputes: Wind vs. flood cases often hinge on expert testimony and statutory anti-concurrent causation clauses.

• Large-Dollar Losses: If repairs exceed $25,000, even a small underpayment can leave you financially exposed.

• Repeated Lowball Offers: A pattern of partial payments below the undisputed amount violates § 627.70131(1)(a).

• Threats of Policy Cancellation: Some carriers pressure homeowners to accept less by threatening non-renewal.

• Suspected Bad Faith: Unreasonable delay, failure to perform a reasonable investigation, or ignoring evidence can justify a § 624.155 action.

Under the Florida Bar’s Rules Regulating Attorneys, only lawyers licensed by the Supreme Court of Florida may give legal advice on Florida property insurance. You can verify a lawyer’s status through the Florida Bar’s public attorney search.

Local Resources & Next Steps

• City of Hollywood Building Division: 2600 Hollywood Blvd. Obtain permit histories to counter code-violation denials.

• Broward County Property Appraiser: Download pre-loss photos and property records that prove condition before the storm.

• DFS Consumer Helpline: 1-877-MY-FL-CFO for complaints.

• Florida Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program: Offers free wind inspections that can bolster your evidence.

• Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans: May bridge the gap if your insurer delays payment and you need immediate repairs.

After exhausting administrative remedies, keep a calendar of critical dates—the one-year notice deadline, five-year filing window, and 90-day insurer response time. Prompt action protects your bargaining position.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and your facts matter. Always consult a licensed Florida attorney before making decisions about your claim.

If your property insurance claim was denied, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and policy review.