By Jonathan Amador
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01 Sep, 2023
In recent years, the landscape of homeowner's insurance regulations in Florida has witnessed a notable shift, with measures aimed at making the claims process more stringent. This growing trend reached a significant milestone when Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 154 into law. Among its provisions, the bill substantially reduced the time frame for discovering damages and reporting insurance claims. You had up to 3-years to first discover and report Hurricane Irma damage. For Hurricane Ian, you had up to two years to first discover damages, and from June 9, 2023, you’ll only have 1 year to first discover and report a potential insurance claim. As the trend continues, striking a balance between the rights of policyholders and the interests of Florida’s insurance industries. As you can see, Florida has made their position well known, and they’ve continued to pass laws that limit homeowner protections and lower repairability standards. Fans of the new changes hope that the new changes will result in insurance premium savings, but the fact of the matter is that insurance is not getting more affordable, nothing is. Additionally, while these changes aim to enhance efficiency and discourage fraudulent claims, they also pose challenges for homeowners who require time to identify damages accurately and initiate claims with well-supported evidence. As the landscape of homeowner's insurance continues to evolve, the importance of informed decision-making, thorough documentation, and understanding policy terms becomes increasingly vital for Floridian homeowners seeking to navigate the changing dynamics of insurance claims. That is why we at QT&T recommend you speak with your insurance agent to better understand your “Duties After Loss” and coverage limits.