PA License Number for Florida P197242 | Wind Certified Umpire and Appraiser | IAUA Associate Appraiser | FAPIA Associates Member and Ambassador | Puerto Rico License 3000461294
When a home suffers damage, the first thing most homeowners think is simple: “I pay insurance every month, so the insurance company should take care of me.” I wish it always worked that way.
The reality is that many homeowners in Miami-Dade County and across Florida discover something very different once the claim begins. The insurance company sends an adjuster, reviews the damage, writes an estimate, and then makes an offer that often feels far lower than what the property actually needs.
At Alconero Public Adjuster, our job is not to represent the insurance company. We represent homeowners, condominium owners, families, and property owners who need someone on their side. And in 2025, based on our claim recovery data, Alconero became the public adjuster that recovered the most money for clients in insurance claims across Florida.
Most property owners start thinking about their insurance claim after a hurricane has already damaged the building. In our experience, that is often too late to create the clearest possible record of what the property looked like before the storm.
At Alconero & Associates, we believe hurricane claim preparation should begin before a named storm is approaching Florida, not when the roof is already leaking, the ceilings are stained, or an insurance company is asking whether the damage existed before the hurricane.
That is why we created our Early Detection Program, a completely free preventive service for Florida property owners. Before a hurricane occurs and before there is a claim to file, our public adjusters can visit the property, document its current visible condition, and review the insurance policy with the owner.
The objective is straightforward: help the property owner understand the policy and create a pre-storm reference point while there is still time to inspect the building calmly.
Alconero reports that hundreds of Florida property owners have already benefited from the program. They have been able to learn more about their policies, identify conditions that may require attention, and preserve documentation that could become useful if a future hurricane causes damage.
When a loss has already occurred, we can also help evaluate the damage, review the policy, prepare supporting documentation, communicate with the insurer, and address a denied or underpaid hurricane claim.
Do not wait until a storm is at your door to discover what your insurance policy says.
Schedule your free Early Detection Program review with Alconero & Associates.
A hurricane public adjuster is usually associated with what happens after a property loss.
However, some of the most valuable preparation can take place before there is any damage and before the property owner needs to submit an insurance claim.
When we meet residential and commercial property owners after a hurricane, one of the most common problems we encounter is the absence of a reliable pre-storm record. The owner may remember that the roof, ceilings, doors, windows, or exterior walls were in good visible condition, but there may be few photographs or inspection records available to demonstrate it.
Our Early Detection Program is designed to address that gap.
The Early Detection Program is not a hurricane damage claim. It is not an invitation to report damage that does not exist, and participation does not guarantee that a future loss will be covered.
It is a preventive service completed before a hurricane and before an insurance claim needs to be filed.
The program has two main components:
1. Documentation of the property’s current visible condition.
2. Professional review of the property insurance policy.
Both services are offered free to Florida property owners under the program.
The purpose is to help the owner enter hurricane season with more information and better documentation. A preventive inspection cannot stop a hurricane from damaging a property, but it may help prevent the owner from beginning a future claim with no previous record of the building’s condition.
During the preventive visit, our adjusters document visible areas of the property that may become relevant after a storm.
Depending on the property and the areas that can be safely accessed, the documentation may include:
● Roof and exterior conditions.
● Windows, doors, shutters, and other openings.
● Exterior walls and visible finishes.
● Interior ceilings and walls.
● Existing cracks, stains, or signs of moisture.
● Areas that may require maintenance or further evaluation.
● The property’s general visible condition before a loss.
This process creates a dated reference that may be compared with conditions found after a future hurricane.
It is important to explain exactly what the documentation can and cannot accomplish. A pre-storm record does not prevent an insurance carrier from asking questions about wear and tear, deterioration, maintenance, negligence, or pre-existing damage.
It does, however, provide information that may help the property owner respond with something more concrete than memory alone.
The second component focuses on the insurance contract.
Many property owners know how much they pay for insurance but have never reviewed their declarations page, hurricane deductible, exclusions, endorsements, coverage limits, or post-loss obligations in detail.
During a policy review, we help the owner identify and better understand matters such as:
● The named insured and covered property.
● Dwelling or building coverage limits.
● Coverage for other structures.
● Personal or business property coverage.
● Additional living expense provisions.
● Business interruption coverage, when applicable.
● Hurricane and windstorm deductibles.
● Relevant exclusions and endorsements.
● Duties that may apply after a loss.
● Documents the owner should preserve.
The best time to identify a potential coverage question is before the property is damaged.
A policy review cannot expand the insurance contract or guarantee payment. It can, however, give the owner time to ask questions and consult the appropriate insurance professional before an emergency occurs.
After a hurricane, the cause and timing of property damage may become central questions.
An insurance company may investigate whether a condition resulted from hurricane winds, wind-driven rain, a storm-created opening, gradual deterioration, deferred maintenance, or an unrelated source.
Without previous photographs or inspection records, the owner may have difficulty showing what changed.
Pre-loss documentation gives the property owner a visual reference that can be compared with conditions observed after the hurricane.
For example, photographs may show that an interior ceiling had no visible water staining before the storm. Exterior documentation may show the visible condition of windows, doors, walls, roof areas, or other building components.
This documentation does not independently prove that every later condition was caused by the hurricane. Causation still depends on the facts, policy language, inspections, weather information, and other available evidence.
Nevertheless, a pre-storm record may provide valuable context during the investigation.
In our experience, it can be difficult to distinguish new hurricane damage from older property conditions when no earlier documentation exists. Owners may have to reconstruct the property’s history after the fact, while emergency work and temporary repairs are already taking place.
The Early Detection Program allows part of that work to begin before the emergency.
“Pre-existing damage” is a common concern for Florida property owners.
An insurer may take the position that part of the reported condition existed before the claimed date of loss or developed gradually over time. The property owner may disagree, but a statement that “the property was fine before the storm” may not resolve the dispute by itself.
Pre-hurricane photographs, maintenance records, invoices, permits, prior inspection reports, and repair documents can help establish a clearer timeline.
We recommend keeping the Early Detection Program documentation together with:
● Recent repair invoices.
● Roof permits and warranties.
● Property maintenance records.
● Photographs of important interior and exterior areas.
● Receipts or inventories for valuable contents.
● Previous claim records.
● Current copies of the complete insurance policy.
A preventive visit may also identify visible conditions that deserve attention before hurricane season.
Addressing an existing opening, leak, broken seal, loose exterior component, or maintenance issue may reduce confusion after a future storm. It may also help protect the property from preventable damage.
An existing condition should not be ignored merely because it has been photographed.
Documentation and maintenance perform different functions.
Documentation records what is visible. Maintenance may prevent an existing problem from becoming worse.
Our role during the Early Detection Program is not to create a future claim. It is to help the owner become better informed and better prepared before a hurricane occurs.
A public adjuster represents the policyholder’s interests during a property insurance claim.
The insurance company may assign its own adjuster to investigate the loss. That professional acts on behalf of the insurance carrier.
A public adjuster is hired by the insured and assists with the preparation, presentation, documentation, and negotiation of the policyholder’s claim.
This distinction matters because hurricane claims may involve disagreements about:
● The cause of the property damage.
● The applicable date of loss.
● The affected rooms or building components.
● Whether a component can be repaired or must be replaced.
● Material quantities and labor costs.
● Conditions the insurer considers unrelated.
● Policy exclusions or limitations.
● The amount required to complete covered repairs.
Our responsibility is to evaluate the claim from the property owner’s perspective while working within the applicable policy and Florida law.
After a hurricane, we evaluate visible damage and identify conditions that may require additional investigation.
Depending on the loss, the documentation may include:
● Photographs and videos.
● Measurements.
● Moisture readings.
● Repair estimates.
● Contents inventories.
● Contractor invoices.
● Maintenance and repair records.
● Emergency-service documents.
● Other supporting information.
Hurricane damage is not always limited to missing roof materials. Wind and rain may affect openings, exterior finishes, ceilings, walls, insulation, flooring, personal property, equipment, and building systems.
Some conditions are immediately visible. Others may not become apparent until stains develop, finishes begin to separate, or moisture is discovered inside a concealed area.
We review the insurance policy to identify provisions that may apply to the reported loss.
That review may include:
● Covered property.
● Applicable deductibles.
● Coverage limits.
● Exclusions.
● Endorsements.
● Replacement cost or actual cash value provisions.
● Additional living expense coverage.
● Business income provisions.
● The insured’s duties after loss.
We then organize the available documentation and help present the owner’s position to the insurance company.
Insurance coverage is determined by the policy, the facts of the loss, and applicable law. A public adjuster cannot guarantee that every claimed item will be accepted or that the insurer will issue a particular payment.
Hurricane claims may generate repeated requests for photographs, estimates, proof-of-loss documents, repair records, statements, and access to the property.
We help organize those communications and work to ensure that relevant information concerning the claimed damage is properly presented.
A public adjuster may also attend inspections, communicate with insurance representatives, and attempt to resolve differences concerning the scope or value of covered property damage.
A property owner may contact us after receiving a claim denial or a payment that appears insufficient.
We can review the policy, denial letter, insurer estimate, photographs, previous inspections, and existing claim documentation to identify issues that may require further evaluation.
A denial or low payment does not automatically prove that the insurance carrier acted incorrectly. It does mean that the property owner should understand the reasons provided and determine whether relevant damage, policy provisions, or supporting information may have been overlooked.
Our underpaid and denied claim review service describes how that evaluation works.
The hours after a hurricane can be stressful. Personal safety comes first, but the decisions made immediately after the storm may also affect the evidence available during the claim.
Do not enter an unsafe building or approach downed electrical lines, unstable structures, floodwater, exposed wiring, or other dangerous conditions.
Once it is safe, take reasonable temporary measures to prevent additional property damage.
These measures may include:
● Emergency roof tarping.
● Water extraction.
● Boarding a damaged opening.
● Moving undamaged property away from an affected area.
● Temporarily securing doors or windows.
Keep receipts, invoices, contracts, photographs, and communications associated with emergency work.
Avoid disposing of damaged materials before they have been photographed and documented unless health or safety concerns require immediate removal.
Take wide photographs showing the affected room or exterior area. Then take closer images of individual conditions.
Document:
● Roof or exterior damage from a safe location.
● Broken windows and doors.
● Interior water staining.
● Damaged ceilings and walls.
● Wet flooring.
● Damaged furniture and contents.
● Debris around the property.
● Emergency or temporary repairs.
● Damaged property before disposal.
Video may also help demonstrate how affected areas relate to one another.
Do not climb onto a damaged roof or place yourself in danger to obtain evidence. A professional inspection can be arranged when the property is safe.
Report the loss according to the instructions in the policy and preserve evidence showing when notice was provided.
Give accurate information, but avoid guessing about technical causes or the complete scope of damage before a professional inspection has been completed.
Maintain a claim log that includes:
● Claim number.
● Dates and times of communications.
● Names of adjusters and representatives.
● Documents requested.
● Documents submitted.
● Inspection dates.
● Payment, reservation, or denial letters.
A property owner does not have to wait for a claim denial to consult a public adjuster.
Contacting us early may make it easier to document affected materials, coordinate inspections, review policy obligations, and organize the claim before permanent repairs alter the condition of the property.
Professional assistance may be particularly useful when:
● The damage is extensive.
● Multiple rooms or building components are involved.
● The policy is difficult to understand.
● The insurer’s estimate appears incomplete.
● There is disagreement about the cause of damage.
● The claim has been denied or underpaid.
Fire and smoke claims are rarely simple. Even when the flames are contained, smoke can travel through walls, vents, ceilings, hallways, and neighboring units. Soot can settle on surfaces that appear clean at first glance. Electrical systems, HVAC systems, flooring, drywall, insulation, cabinets, and personal property can all be affected.
In a condominium, the claim becomes even more complex because you may be dealing with individual units, common areas, association responsibilities, master policies, unit owner policies, and multiple inspections. That is why the Golden Gate case required more than a basic estimate. It required a team that understood the claim from every angle.
Florida hurricane claims are governed by the insurance contract and state law. Some information still circulating online refers to older deadlines and should not be relied upon without checking the current statute.
The following information is intended for general educational purposes and is not legal advice.
For hurricane and other specified weather-related claims, Florida Statutes §627.70132 defines the date of loss for a hurricane claim by reference to the date the hurricane made landfall.
For other weather-related events, the statute refers to the date verified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This matters because the statutory notice period is measured from the legally defined date of loss, not necessarily from the day the property owner discovers every hidden condition.
Florida law generally bars an initial or reopened residential or commercial property insurance claim unless notice is given to the insurer within one year after the date of loss.
A supplemental claim generally must be noticed within 18 months after the date of loss.
Property owners should therefore be cautious with websites or older articles that continue to repeat a general three-year hurricane claim deadline.
Waiting until the end of the statutory period is not advisable. The insurance policy may also require prompt notice and reasonable cooperation during the investigation.
When an insurer’s investigation involves a physical inspection, Florida law generally requires the insurer to conduct that inspection within 30 days after receiving the policyholder’s proof-of-loss statements.
The statute also addresses the identifying and licensing information that the assigned adjuster must provide.
This does not mean every claim follows an identical timeline or that a physical inspection is required in every circumstance. Florida law also permits the use of electronic methods, including photographs, videos, video conferences, drones, and other technology.
Property owners should record when proof-of-loss documents were received and when each inspection took place.
For qualifying residential property and condominium-unit claims involving an event covered by a state of emergency declared by the Florida Governor, a public adjuster generally may not charge more than 10% of insurance claim payments or settlements during the applicable one-year period following the declaration.
The statute contains different limitations and rules for other circumstances. Therefore, the rule should not be summarized as “every public adjuster always charges 10%.”
Before signing a representation agreement, review:
● The percentage charged.
● How compensation will be calculated.
● Whether previous insurance payments are included.
● Which services are covered.
● Cancellation provisions.
● Any additional contractual obligations.
A hurricane deductible may be expressed as a percentage of the insured dwelling limit rather than as a small fixed amount.
For example, a 2% deductible applied to a $500,000 dwelling limit would equal $10,000.
The actual deductible applicable to a particular policy should appear in the declarations or renewal documentation. Florida law also contains requirements concerning the disclosure of the deductible’s dollar value in applicable personal-lines residential policies.
Owners should not assume:
● Every hurricane deductible is 2%.
● All Florida policies use the same calculation.
● The deductible applies identically to every type of property.
● Every water-related condition falls under hurricane coverage.
The declarations page and endorsements should be reviewed carefully.
For applicable personal-lines residential policies, Florida’s hurricane deductible generally operates on an annual calendar-year basis.
When more than one hurricane causes covered property damage during the same calendar year, the calculation may involve the remaining portion of the annual hurricane deductible or another applicable deductible, depending on the policy and statute.
This is more accurate than saying that the complete hurricane deductible automatically starts again with every named storm.
Owners should also report and preserve documentation concerning covered losses that may fall below the deductible, since those amounts may become relevant if another hurricane causes damage during the same calendar year.
Commercial, association, and other policy types may operate differently and must be reviewed individually.
Florida law defines the duration of a hurricane for applicable residential insurance purposes.
The period begins when the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for any part of Florida.
It ends 72 hours after the termination of the last hurricane watch or hurricane warning issued for any part of Florida.
This statutory hurricane period helps determine when the policy’s hurricane coverage and deductible provisions may apply.
It should not be confused with the one-year statutory deadline for giving notice of an initial claim.
Florida hurricane rule Practical meaning
Date of loss tied to landfall The statutory notice period uses the hurricane’s landfall date
Initial claim: one year Do not rely on outdated blanket references to three years
Supplemental claim: 18 Additional claimed damage generally has a separate notice months period
Physical inspection: 30 Applies when the insurer’s investigation involves a physical days inspection after proof of loss
Declared-emergency fee Applies under the statutory conditions for qualifying claims cap: 10%
Annual hurricane Generally operates on a calendar-year basis for applicable deductible residential policies
72-hour ending period Hurricane duration continues after the final Florida watch or warning is terminated
| Florida hurricane rule | Practical meaning |
|---|---|
| Date of loss tied to landfall | The statutory notice period uses the hurricane's landfall date |
| Initial claim: one year | Do not rely on outdated blanket references to three years |
| Supplemental claim: 18 months | Additional claimed damage generally has a separate notice period |
| Physical inspection: 30 days | Applies when the insurer's investigation involves a physical inspection after proof of loss |
| Declared-emergency fee cap: 10% | Applies under the statutory conditions for qualifying claims |
| Annual hurricane deductible | Generally operates on a calendar-year basis for applicable residential policies |
| 72-hour ending period | Hurricane duration continues after the final Florida watch or warning is terminated |
A hurricane can produce several categories of property damage during the same event. A proper evaluation should not focus on one visible condition while ignoring related areas.
High winds may affect:
● Roof coverings.
● Flashing.
● Vents.
● Soffits and fascia.
● Exterior walls.
● Gutters.
● Fences.
● Attached structures.
● Doors and windows.
Visible exterior damage does not always reveal the full extent of the condition. Water may enter through one area and appear inside the property at a different location.
For roof-specific losses, our roof leak claim service explains how we document that damage.
Coverage questions involving rain often depend on how water entered the building and what the policy says.
We document openings, damaged exterior components, water pathways, interior staining, and other relevant conditions.
We do not assume that every type of water entry is automatically covered. The cause of loss and policy language must be evaluated.
Rising water from outside the property falls under a separate policy. Our flood damage claim page covers that documentation, and our flood insurance claim help page covers NFIP and private flood policies.
Interior hurricane damage may affect:
● Ceilings.
● Walls.
● Insulation.
● Flooring.
● Cabinets.
● Electrical components.
● Furniture.
● Personal property.
● Commercial inventory.
Moisture may remain inside building assemblies even when the visible surface appears dry.
Wind pressure, impact, movement, water intrusion, and prolonged moisture can produce conditions that are difficult to identify during a quick walkthrough.
Depending on the circumstances, additional professionals may be needed to evaluate engineering, electrical, roofing, mold, or other specialized issues.
A residential hurricane claim may involve damaged contents and expenses incurred when the home cannot be safely occupied.
Preserve:
● Personal property inventories.
● Photographs.
● Purchase receipts.
● Temporary accommodation records.
● Additional meal expenses.
● Transportation receipts.
● Other documentation required by the policy.
Commercial hurricane losses may involve:
● Building repairs.
● Equipment.
● Inventory.
● Tenant improvements.
● Operating expenses.
● Lost business income.
● Extra expenses required to continue operations.
These claims often require financial documentation in addition to a physical damage estimate.
Coverage depends on the commercial policy and the relationship between the covered physical loss and the interruption of business operations.
We do not believe a hurricane public adjuster should appear only after the damage is done.
Our preventive approach gives Florida property owners an opportunity to understand their insurance policy and document the building before a claim exists. That is the central purpose of the Early Detection Program.
Alconero reports that hundreds of property owners have already used the program to prepare for hurricane season.
In many cases, the greatest value is not discovering a dramatic problem. It is knowing:
● Where the complete policy is located.
● What hurricane deductible may apply.
● Which coverage questions remain unanswered.
● Which conditions should be maintained or repaired.
● What the property looked like before the storm.
When hurricane damage does occur, our work remains centered on the policyholder.
We can:
● Review the insurance contract.
● Inspect and document the reported damage.
● Organize photographs, estimates, and supporting records.
● Prepare the property owner’s claim position.
● Communicate with the insurance company.
● Evaluate denied or underpaid claims.
● Assist residential and commercial property owners.
We also recognize the limits of our role.
We cannot guarantee coverage, create coverage that the policy does not contain, or promise a particular settlement. We can provide professional documentation, informed claim assistance, and representation focused on the property owner’s interests.
In our experience, owners feel more confident when they understand what happens next. That is why education is part of every stage of our process, from the free pre-hurricane policy review to the evaluation of an insurer’s claim decision.
Alconero & Associates assists property owners throughout Florida.
This statewide page answers general questions about:
● Hurricane preparation.
● Pre-storm property documentation.
● Insurance policy review.
● Hurricane claim deadlines.
● Public adjuster fees.
● Hurricane deductibles.
● Property damage documentation.
● Denied or underpaid claims.
Property owners seeking information related to a particular community should visit the corresponding local service page.
Suggested internal links include:
● Cape Coral hurricane public adjuster
● Fort Myers hurricane public adjuster
● Miami hurricane public adjuster
● Tampa hurricane public adjuster
● Orlando hurricane public adjuster
Yes. A Florida property owner can contact Alconero before a loss to participate in the Early Detection Program.
The preventive service allows us to document the property’s current visible condition and review the insurance policy before a hurricane or insurance claim exists.
It is a free preventive program for Florida property owners.
Our adjusters document visible property conditions and review the insurance policy so the owner can better understand coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, endorsements, and duties that may apply after a loss.
The program is completed before the hurricane and before filing a claim.
Alconero offers the preventive property documentation and policy review at no cost to Florida property owners under the program.
Participation does not guarantee coverage and does not require the owner to file a future insurance claim.
No.
Coverage depends on the policy language, facts of the loss, cause of damage, compliance with policy requirements, and applicable law.
Pre-storm documentation may help establish a reference point, but it cannot modify the policy or guarantee payment.
It may help.
Photographs and records created before a storm can provide information about the property’s previous visible condition.
The value of that documentation will depend on what it shows, when it was created, and how it relates to the later claimed damage.
A public adjuster may inspect the property, review coverage, document the damage, prepare estimates and supporting materials, communicate with the insurance company, and negotiate the claim on behalf of the policyholder.
Florida law generally requires notice of an initial property insurance claim within one year after the date of loss.
A supplemental claim generally has an 18-month notice period. For hurricane claims, the statutory date of loss is tied to landfall.
Property owners should not wait until the statutory deadline is approaching. The insurance policy may also require prompt notice.
For applicable personal-lines residential property policies, the hurricane deductible generally operates on an annual calendar-year basis rather than restarting in full for every hurricane.
Other types of policies may operate differently.
For qualifying residential claims involving an event covered by a gubernatorial state-of-emergency declaration, Florida law generally caps public adjuster compensation at 10% during the applicable one-year period.
Different circumstances may be subject to different statutory limits.
Review the complete written agreement before signing.
A public adjuster can review the denial letter, insurance policy, estimates, photographs, inspections, and claim history to determine whether relevant property damage or supporting information may have been overlooked.
A public adjuster cannot provide legal advice unless separately qualified to do so and cannot guarantee that a denial will be reversed.
Bring:
● The complete current insurance policy.
● Declarations page.
● Endorsements.
● Renewal documents.
● Previous claim records.
● Inspection reports.
● Repair invoices.
● Roof permits or warranties.
● Questions about coverage or deductibles.
The best time to review your hurricane insurance policy is before you need to use it.
The best time to document the visible condition of your roof, exterior walls, ceilings, doors, and windows is before a storm changes them.
The best time to ask how a hurricane public adjuster can help is before you are forced to make urgent decisions in the middle of a property loss.
At Alconero & Associates, our Early Detection Program gives Florida property owners a practical way to prepare.
We document the visible condition of the property and review the insurance policy at no cost, before the hurricane and before a claim is filed.
When damage has already occurred, we can evaluate the loss, review the policy, organize the supporting documentation, and represent the property owner’s interests during the claim process.
Schedule your free Early Detection Program review and prepare your Florida property before the next hurricane.
This article provides general educational information and is not legal advice. Insurance coverage depends on the specific policy, facts of the loss, applicable law, and insurer investigation. Participation in the Early Detection Program does not guarantee claim acceptance, insurance coverage, or payment.