Have you ever found yourself hesitating to report hurricane damage? Unsure if it was worth the trouble to report, only to realize you may have waited too long? In a recent court case, Citizens Property Insurance secured a win, successfully defending its denial of a claim filed several years after the hurricane occurred. The Florida court ruled that policyholders must act within a reasonable time after discovering the damage. This has also reinforced the insurers’ right to deny late claims.
A Case Overview
On August 6, 2025, the case, Maria Morales v. Citizens Property Insurance Company, ended in a victory for the insurance company. It focused on whether a policyholder had the right to claim damage several years after a natural disaster.
Morales filed her claim more than 3 years after Hurricane Irma. In response, Citizens Property Insurance denied the claim by citing a violation of the policy’s prompt notice requirement. Morales challenged the denial in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, but the Judge sided with Citizens, finding that the delayed notice violated the terms of the insurance contract.
Morales appealed, but both the trial court and the appellate court ruled in favor of Citizens, referencing similar past cases to support their decision.
Understanding Today’s Filing Deadlines
While Morales’ case involved Hurricane Irma, which had a 3-year statute of limitations at the time, the rules have since changed, making quick action even more important for Florida homeowners today. Now, filing deadlines in Florida are:
- 1 year from the date of loss (DOL) to file a new property insurance claim.
- 18 months from the DOL to file a supplemental claim.
That means if you wait too long, even if the damage is real, you can lose your right to recover entirely. This court decision serves as a reminder to act immediately after discovering storm damage.
Why Policyholders Shouldn’t Wait
When it comes to storm damage, time is not on your side. The longer you wait to report a claim, the more complicated and costly the process can become. Acting quickly is essential to protect your rights, preserve evidence, and avoid unnecessary hurdles with your insurance provider.
- Evidence is lost, which makes it harder for an investigation to take place and ensure the correct cause and extent of the damage.
- Avoid missing the deadlines explicitly stated in the insurance contracts.
- Delaying your claim only increases the chances of disputes with your insurance company.
Here at Insurance Litigation Group (ILG), we urge homeowners and business owners to act fast and hire experienced legal professionals to help when dealing with insurance companies after storm damage.
What This Means for Florida Homeowners
If you or anyone you know has experienced hurricane damage and is wondering if you should file a hurricane damage claim, do so as soon as possible. The key takeaway from this case is the importance of looking over and understanding the terms of your insurance policy. You want to look out for reporting deadlines and notice requirements.
Be sure not to procrastinate when it comes to hurricane damage. Act quickly because this case affirms insurers’ right to refuse delayed claims and strengthens their policies.
What ILG Can Do For You
At ILG, we are committed to serving our clients in the best way we can with the dedication and expertise of our experienced property insurance attorneys. We have dealt with a variety of cases and can offer our help to anyone who has been through storm-related losses.
Call us at (888) 454-4254 for a free property inspection. Let us carry some of the weight during difficult times, especially when dealing with insurance companies.
