If you experienced damage to your home you should take the necessary action to protect the property from further damage and start the process of filing a claim to repair your property. Florida Statutes 627.7142 outlines your responsibilities as a homeowners insurance policy holder.
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Contact your insurance company before entering into any contract for repairs to confirm any managed repair policy provisions or optional preferred vendors.
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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 damage before and after any repairs.
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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 for repairing or replacing your property.
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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 complaint against him or her by call in the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. You should also ask the contractor for references from previous work.
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Require all contractors to provide proof of insurance before beginning repairs.
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Take precautions if the damage requires you to leave your home, including securing your property and turning off your gas, water, and electricity, and contracting your insurance company and provide a telephone number where you can be reached.
Contact the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Consumer Services with any insurance claim question pertaining to the handling of your claim. You can reach the helpline at 877-693-5236 or go to website at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/
division/consumer