Author: Ray Sussman

What To Do If You Have A Florida Homeowners Insurance Claim

WHEN YOU HAVE A CLAIM

The Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights includes the following advice to help you successfully navigate through the claim process and increase the chances of a satisfactory outcome.

1. Contact your insurance company before entering into a contract for repairs to ensure you adhere to the repair provisions included in the policy.

2. Make and document emergency repairs that are necessary to prevent further damage. Keep the damaged property, if feasible; keep all receipts; and take photographs of the damage before and after any repairs.

3. Carefully read any contract that requires you to pay out-of-pocket expenses or a fee that is based on a percentage of the insurance proceeds that you will receive to repair or replace your property.

4. Confirm that the contractor you choose is licensed to do business in Florida. You can verify a contractor’s license and check to see if there are any complaints against him or her by calling the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. You should also ask the contractor for references from previous work.

5. Require all contractors to provide proof of insurance before beginning repairs.

6. If the extent of the damage requires you to leave your home, secure your property, turn off your gas, water, and electricity, and contact your insurance company to provide a phone number where you can be reached.

Questions? Please feel free to call us.

Thanks to vacation rental platforms, welcoming paying guests into your home has become more normal than ever. While renting out your property can help you earn significant extra income, becoming a Vrbo or Airbnb host comes with its own set of risks and responsibilities. A common question hosts find themselves asking is “Does my Homeowners insurance cover Airbnb?” and are left shocked when the answer is “no.” Most Homeowners policies do not cover Airbnb or short-term rental activity because guest stays fall outside what the policy was designed to insure.

Call us to learn about standard Homeowners insurance, its limitations, and why specialized vacation rental insurance is often the smarter choice. Understanding what protections you need to look for and how to find the right coverage for your property can help ensure a protected, profitable short-term rental business.

Protect your short-term rental investment with coverage designed specifically for Airbnb and VRBO hosts, shielding your property, income, and liability from unexpected guest mishaps that standard home policies miss.

Why Standard Insurance Falls ShortDenial of Claims:

Regular homeowners insurance usually denies claims if a paying guest causes damage.

Lost Income: Standard plans do not pay you back when property damage forces booking cancellations.

Liability Gaps: Personal liability limits may not cover commercial short-term guest injuries.

What Our Specialized Policy CoversProperty Damage:

Full repair costs for accidental damage or vandalism by guests.

Liability Protection: High coverage limits if a guest gets hurt on your premises.

Income Loss: Reimbursement for lost rental income while your property gets repaired after a covered loss.

Call us to discuss coverage which is designed specifically for Air B&Bs and VRBO rental owners.

An independent insurance agent represents you rather than a single insurance company. By comparing policies from dozens of different carriers, they save you time and help you find the best balance of price, coverage, and service for your specific needs.

Working with an independent agent provides several distinct advantages:

More Options: Unlike “captive” agents (who only sell policies for one specific company), independent agents act as a one-stop-shop, pulling quotes from various insurers to find the most competitive rates.

Unbiased Advice: Their goal is to match you with the right policy—not push a specific brand’s quota. They provide personalized risk assessments and point out coverage gaps you might otherwise miss.

Dedicated Advocacy: If you need to file a claim, your agent serves as your personal liaison, helping you navigate the process and fighting for a fair settlement.

Zero Direct Cost: Independent agents are compensated by the insurance carriers through commissions. You don’t pay them any extra fees for their expertise or the legwork they do on your behalf.

Long-Term Relationship: As your life circumstances change (e.g., buying a home, starting a business, or adding a teen driver), they can easily shop the market again to adapt your coverage without you having to re-explain your entire situation.

At Florida Insurance Solutions we provide a wide range of Florida homeowners insurance and auto insurance options.

Florida Builders Risk Insurance – Protect your Florida construction projects from day one with specialized, comprehensive builders risk insurance, covering materials, equipment, and structures against perils like fire, theft, vandalism, and hurricane-related losses. Tailored for contractors and owners, our coverage secures investments through completion, offering specialized protection for coastal areas. Get a quick, customized quote to protect your investment. Getting a quote for Builders Risk insurance in Florida is straightforward. We work with you to understand the specific risks of your site, including location, construction type, project value, and estimated timeline. Also known as “course of construction” insurance, this policy provides crucial protection for buildings while they are under construction, renovation, or repair. It covers the physical loss or damage to materials, fixtures, and equipment used in the project, whether they are on-site, in transit, or temporarily stored elsewhere. Call us for a quote.