Florida homeowners file more water damage claims than any other state. Most denied claims are denied for documentation problems — not coverage problems. Here's what major Florida carriers actually cover, what they don't, and how to document a claim that gets approved.
What is typically covered
Standard Florida homeowners policies (HO-3) typically cover:
- Sudden & accidental water damage — burst pipes, water heater rupture, sudden plumbing failure
- Roof damage from named storms (with separate hurricane deductible)
- Appliance leaks when sudden (washing machine hose burst, dishwasher overflow)
- Sewer backup with rider — if you have the sewer/drain backup endorsement
- Resulting mold damage — when mold is a direct result of a covered water event, typically up to a policy sub-limit ($10K-$25K is common)
Major Florida carriers we work with daily: State Farm, Allstate, USAA, Citizens, Tower Hill, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, Progressive.
What is typically NOT covered
- Gradual leaks — slow drips that occurred over weeks/months
- Lack of maintenance — failure to maintain the roof, plumbing, or HVAC
- Flooding from outside — requires separate flood insurance (NFIP)
- Mold from gradual moisture — mold that wasn't caused by a covered sudden event
The documentation that gets claims approved
This is where Real Mold Remediation makes the biggest difference. Insurance carriers expect specific documentation in specific formats. Our water damage response includes:
- Time-stamped photo log from the moment of discovery — metadata-tagged, geo-coded
- Moisture mapping with pin and pinless meter readings, documented in the affected area diagram
- Source-of-water statement identifying what failed and when
- Daily drying logs showing moisture content reduction over time
- Lab samples if mold is suspected, with chain-of-custody documentation
- Itemized scope of work with line-item pricing matching insurance industry standard codes
- Cost itemization in carrier-acceptable format
How we work with your carrier
Real Mold Remediation bills direct to all major Florida carriers. You sign one assignment of benefits. We handle the rest. Our team:
- Speaks directly with your assigned adjuster
- Provides documentation in the format the carrier expects
- Resolves any documentation requests in real-time
- Adjusts the scope based on what's covered vs out-of-pocket (with your approval)
Just had water damage? Call
(407) 616-1860 immediately. The earlier we document the event, the stronger the claim. Most claims approved when we're engaged within the first 24 hours.
What to do BEFORE you call your carrier
Counter-intuitive but important: call us first, then your carrier. Here's why — many homeowners call their carrier with an unclear scope and get a denial or low offer. When we arrive on-site, we document properly, identify the actual cost of restoration, and help you make an informed call to your carrier. You can't un-file a low offer once it's on record.