If you are dealing with hurricane damage in Florida, the first hours and days matter. Your first steps should be to keep everyone safe, document everything before you touch it, make only temporary repairs to stop further damage, and report the claim to your insurance company as soon as possible. What you do first can shape how smoothly your claim moves forward.
Commercial property owners, condo associations, and property managers across Central Florida face the same pressure after a storm: a damaged building, tenants asking questions, and a claims process that feels unfamiliar. Here is a clear, step by step guide to what to do after hurricane damage in Florida, written for the people responsible for getting a property back on its feet.
Start With Safety, Then Document Everything
Before anything else, make sure the property is safe to enter. Downed power lines, standing water, and weakened structures can turn a walkthrough into an injury. Once it is safe, walk the property with your phone and take photos and video of every affected area. Roofs, ceilings, walls, flooring, mechanical systems, and personal property should all be documented before cleanup begins.
- Photograph and video damage from multiple angles, including wide shots that show context.
- Keep a written log of dates, times, and what you observed.
- Save receipts for any temporary repairs, tarps, or emergency mitigation work.
- Do not throw away damaged materials until your insurer has had a chance to inspect them, unless they pose a safety hazard.
This documentation becomes the foundation of your claim. The more thorough it is, the easier it is to show the full scope of what happened.
Make Temporary Repairs, Not Permanent Ones
Florida policies typically require you to prevent further damage after a loss. That means tarping a roof, boarding broken windows, and extracting standing water. It does not mean starting permanent repairs before your insurer has documented the damage. Rushing into full repairs can complicate your claim if there is no clear record of the original condition. Keep every invoice and receipt tied to mitigation work, since reasonable emergency repair costs are generally part of a covered claim.
Understand Your Policy and Your Deadlines
Florida law sets specific deadlines for reporting property claims, and commercial policies often add their own notice requirements. Missing a deadline can put coverage at risk, so report the loss promptly even if you are still assessing the full extent of the damage. Pull your policy and read the sections on windstorm coverage, deductibles, and any exclusions that might apply.
Condo and HOA boards carry an added layer of responsibility here. Board members are accountable to owners for how a claim is handled, and clear documentation and timely reporting protect the association as much as the building itself. Property managers overseeing multiple buildings face a similar challenge, since a single storm can generate several claims at once. Our page for property managers walks through how to keep that process organized across a portfolio.
Know When to Bring in Help
Insurance companies send their own adjusters to evaluate the damage and estimate the loss. Nothing stops you from having your own advocate review the same damage, understand your policy language, and prepare a complete claim on your behalf. That is the role of a public adjuster.
James Coyne spent years working on the carrier side before becoming a public adjuster, so he has seen how claims get evaluated from both sides of the table. That background shapes how Coyne Commercial Group approaches every file: thorough documentation, a clear understanding of policy language, and steady communication with the property owner. Learn more on our claims representation page.
Public adjuster fees in Florida are set by state law and discussed openly before any agreement is signed. You can find more detail on our FAQ page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after hurricane damage to my commercial property?
Make sure the building is safe to enter, document all damage with photos and video before cleanup, complete only temporary repairs to prevent further loss, and report the claim to your insurer as soon as possible.
How long do I have to file a hurricane claim in Florida?
Florida law sets time limits for reporting property claims, and these can vary by policy and loss type. Report your claim as soon as you can. For questions about a specific legal deadline, a qualified Florida attorney can give you guidance tied to your situation.
Should I start repairs before the insurance company inspects the damage?
Complete only the temporary repairs needed to prevent further damage, such as tarping a roof or removing standing water. Hold off on permanent repairs and keep all damaged materials, photos, and receipts until your insurer has had a chance to inspect the property.
What is the difference between the insurance company's adjuster and a public adjuster?
The insurance company's adjuster works for the insurer. A public adjuster works only for the policyholder, reviewing the damage, interpreting the policy, and preparing the claim on the property owner's behalf. Coyne Commercial Group represents commercial property owners, associations, and property managers, never insurance companies.
Do condo associations and HOAs need to handle hurricane claims differently?
Associations often have shared structures, common areas, and multiple unit owners affected by the same storm, which adds complexity. Boards should document damage association-wide, communicate clearly with owners, and keep careful records to support a well organized claim. Our board members page covers this in more detail.
We Are Here to Help
Recovering from hurricane damage takes patience, organization, and the right information at the right time. If you are unsure where your claim stands or want a second set of eyes on the damage, Coyne Commercial Group offers a free claim review with no obligation. We would be glad to look at what you are facing and explain your options in plain language.
Reach out any time to talk through your situation, or visit our FAQ page for more answers to common questions.
Written by James Coyne, Florida Licensed Public Adjuster (License W482618), founder of Coyne Commercial Group (Firm License G350978).