Florida Porch

Storm claim log

After the storm, make the paper trail calm.

A claim can involve photos, policy numbers, adjusters, flood questions, contractors, permits, receipts, mortgage checks, and repair promises. Put every answer in one dated log.

First calls

Do not let ten urgent conversations turn into one foggy memory.

Claim lane

Start one clean claim log before the calls blur together.

Write down the policy, claim number, date, time, person, phone number, email, and next step for every insurer, adjuster, mortgage company, contractor, agency, and local office call.

Florida OIR hurricane resources

Coverage lane

Separate wind, flood, home, auto, condo, and renters questions.

A storm can touch more than one policy. The right place to ask depends on the damage, the policy language, the flood answer, and who owns the building or belongings.

Florida OIR homeowners insurance

Help lane

Use DFS if the insurance path gets stuck.

Florida's consumer services office has help paths for insurance questions, including consumer assistance and mediation information. Keep that contact record with the claim.

DFS consumer help

Repair lane

Check the contractor and the permit path before work gets expensive.

Storm repairs can move fast, but license, contract, permit, inspection, payment, and receipt records still matter. Check DBPR and the local building office before relying on a repair promise.

DBPR hurricane guide

Short path

A simple order when the house is still wet.

Stay safe first.
Take wide photos.
Take close photos.
Save damaged-item notes.
Call the insurer.
Ask for the claim number.
Ask what cleanup proof to keep.
Check flood separately.
Check contractor licenses.
Ask about permits.
Save every receipt.
Write the next date down.

Photo map

Take the wide shot, then the close shot.

Front, back, sides, roofline, driveway, fence, shed, pool, dock, boat, vehicles, and trees
Each room from the doorway before items move
Close photos of water lines, broken windows, roof leaks, ceiling stains, damaged floors, appliances, and personal property
Serial numbers, model numbers, receipts, manuals, screenshots, and purchase records when you can find them
Emergency work before-and-after photos, including tarps, dry-out, debris removal, board-up, and temporary repairs
Permit board, contractor vehicle, business card, license number, estimate, invoice, payment receipt, and inspection records
What is my claim number?
Who is assigned?
How do I send photos?
Can cleanup start?
What receipts matter?
Is flood separate?
Is a proof form needed?
What date comes next?
Can I use this contractor?
Is a permit needed?
Will checks include a lender?
Who do I call if this stalls?

Four files

One storm can create more than one folder.

Insurer or agent

Ask which policy applies, how to report the claim, what photos to keep, what emergency work is okay, and where to upload records.

Flood policy or FEMA path

Flood damage may use a different policy or federal path. Keep flood photos, water-line notes, damaged contents, and proof-of-loss questions in their own pocket.

Mortgage company or association

If a lender, condo association, HOA, landlord, or property manager is part of the repair path, write down their claim check, approval, access, and inspection rules.

Local building office

Ask whether the repair needs a permit, inspection, emergency authorization, floodplain review, notice, or a licensed trade.

Repair ledger

Track the money, scope, permit, and proof.

Emergency tarping, board-up, water removal, drying, temporary power, debris, tree work, or security work
Contractor name, license number, DBPR search result, local registration, insurance certificate, and written scope
Estimate, contract, change order, permit number, inspection result, photos, invoice, and paid receipt
Public adjuster, attorney, appraiser, engineer, roofer, mold assessor, or other professional contact notes
Mortgage holdback, association approval, landlord approval, lien warning, deposit, final payment, and warranty notes
FEMA, county, city, nonprofit, or disaster-assistance case numbers, if those apply

Watch-outs

The easy mistakes are usually record mistakes.

Cleanup can change the proof.

Safety comes first. Still, before tossing damaged items or starting repairs, ask the insurer what photos, lists, samples, receipts, and inspection steps they want.

Flood and wind can split the file.

A hurricane does not mean one coverage answer. Keep flood, wind, rain, roof, vehicle, condo, renters, and personal-property records separated until the right source connects them.

Fast repairs still need paperwork.

A valid license search does not replace the contract, permit, inspection, insurance, payment, or local code record. The repair folder should stay boring.

Assistance is not the same as insurance.

FEMA, county help, nonprofit aid, insurance, flood policies, and repair contracts may each ask for different proof. Give every file its own number and notes.

Official checks

Sources used for this page

Last checked June 30, 2026. Use the policy, insurer, adjuster, Florida OIR, Florida DFS, flood policy source, FEMA path, DBPR, the local building office, the mortgage company, and a qualified Florida professional before you rely on a claim, deadline, repair, permit, or payment answer.

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