Dealing with a homeowners insurance claim in Florida can be frustrating, especially when the insurance company isn’t being clear or responsive. At propertyinsurance.law, we help Florida homeowners understand their insurance rights and hold insurance companies accountable when they delay, deny, or underpay valid claims.
Below are the top five insurance questions we receive from homeowners and how Florida law applies to each one.
For a deeper look at one of the most common issues homeowners raise, see our page on delayed insurance claims.
Can My Insurance Company Refuse to Backdate a Cancellation After I Sell My Home?
Yes. Even after a home is sold, homeowners insurance policies may still provide certain coverages such as personal property protection or liability coverage at temporary residences. Some carriers will agree to backdate cancellation to the date of sale, but others will not, especially if they were not promptly notified.
Your policy should outline how cancellation works and when coverage ends. Always notify your insurance company as soon as the property is sold to avoid paying unnecessary premiums.
My Insurance Claim Is Still Unpaid After 30 Days. Can They Do That?
Florida law requires insurance companies to pay or deny a property claim within 60 days of receiving notice, unless delays are caused by circumstances beyond their control.
If your insurer has gone silent or is stalling, it may be acting in bad faith. Delays beyond 60 days could violate Florida statutes and open the door for legal action.
Why Did My Homeowners Insurance Premium Go Up So Much?
Florida insurers must file proposed rate increases with the Office of Insurance Regulation. If they submit actuarial data showing that higher rates are needed to stay solvent and pay claims, the office must approve the increase.
This means your premiums may spike even if you’ve never filed a claim, especially after hurricane seasons or widespread damage events.
Can the Insurance Company Non-Renew My Policy Even If I Have an Open Claim?
In most situations, yes. Florida law only prevents non-renewal of a property insurance policy under very specific conditions, such as a declared emergency under Florida Statutes, damage from a hurricane or windstorm, or delayed repairs due to circumstances outside your control.
Even then, insurers must wait 90 days after repairs are completed to non-renew. However, they may still cancel the policy if you delay repairs unreasonably, commit fraud, or the full policy limits have been paid.
My Policy Was Cancelled, But I Haven’t Received My Refund. How Long Should It Take?
When a Florida property insurance policy is cancelled, the unearned premium must be refunded within 15 working days of the cancellation date, unless the policy is under audit or the premium was financed.
If the refund goes to a premium finance company, they must return the appropriate portion to you. Failure to issue timely refunds may violate Florida law and entitle you to further compensation.
If you’re dealing with a delayed claim, denied payout, premium dispute, or wrongful cancellation, you don’t have to face the insurance company alone. At propertyinsurance.law, we advocate for policyholders, forcing insurers to follow the law and pay what’s owed.