If you're a Florida business owner, your commercial insurance policy is more than just paperwork — it’s protection against disaster. Whether you’re dealing with hurricane damage, roof collapse, pipe leaks, or fire-related property loss, filing a commercial insurance claim in Florida can be challenging (especially when insurers delay, underpay, or deny what you're rightfully owed).
At Murray Law Group, we help policyholders navigate Florida’s complex insurance environment. That’s why we’ve come up with some practical steps to prepare, document, and submit your claim, so you can get back to business.
The moment you discover damage to your property, notify your insurance company. Florida commercial insurance policies often contain strict deadlines for filing claims. Missing these could void your coverage.
Check your policy (or contact your broker) to confirm:
Keep written confirmation of the date and time the notice was submitted — this protects your timeline if the insurer disputes it later.
One of the biggest claims mistakes in Florida is poor documentation. Insurers frequently cite lack of evidence or pre-existing damage as reasons to reduce or deny claims.
Before the loss:
After the loss:
Florida business owners often discover too late that their insurance claim doesn’t include certain damage types. Review your policy closely, or ask a legal professional to explain:
If you're unsure, don’t guess — contact an experienced insurance attorney for claim review.
Your commercial insurance claim is more than pictures and paperwork — it’s also a story told through documentation. Preserve everything, such as:
Also track every visit to the property — adjusters, contractors, engineers — and get written reports whenever possible.
After a loss, you’re required to protect the property and prevent further losses. This is known as the duty to mitigate. That doesn’t mean full repairs right away — just basic stabilization steps like:
Document all steps and expenses. Save receipts and take before-and-after photos of any emergency work.
Under Florida law, policyholders must cooperate with insurers to resolve claims. But you are not required to accept unfair estimates, delays, or vague denials.
Examples of unfair tactics include:
You have the right to request re-inspections, bring in your own contractors, and consult a lawyer before signing any final documents.
Florida’s insurance industry has changed dramatically in recent years. With rising premiums, new legislation, and insurer insolvencies, Florida commercial insurance claims are under more scrutiny than ever. Coastal and inland properties alike face challenges getting full value from their policies.
Don’t wait until a problem arises — take these steps now and be ready to protect what you’ve built.
If your claim is being mishandled — or you’re unsure how to move forward — contact a Florida-based insurance recovery law firm like Murray Law Group. We help business owners with:
We deal directly with insurers so you can focus on getting your business operational again.
If you're facing delays, underpayment, or a denied claim — we're here to help. Murray Law Group is proud to represent Florida business owners. We’ve handled commercial insurance disputes across the state for more than 20 years and we’re committed to creating positive outcomes for our clients. Contact us today!