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Homeowners’

Insurance

A Toolkit for Consumers

Florida Department of Financial Services • Division of Consumer Services • 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (693-5236)

www.MyFloridaCFO.com/Division/Consumers

Revised July 2018

Homeowners’ Insurance

TOOLKIT

Florida residents know rsthand that it pays to plan ahead. Dealing with wildres, oods, tornadoes,

hurricanes, winter storms, sinkholes and other disasters, can drastically change our lives. Individual

losses such as a home burglary, kitchen re, or a lightning strike can also disrupt our daily lives.

Homeowners’ insurance helps pay to repair or rebuild your home and replace personal property due

to a covered loss.

This toolkit provides information to assist you with insuring your home. It also contains tools to help

you if you have a covered loss that involves the largest investment you’ve made - your home.

Contents

Page

Section 1

Insuring Your Home

Page

Section 2

Know What Your Policy Covers

Page

Section 3

Property Inventory and Claim Process

Page

Section 4

Legal and Financial Document Checklist

Florida law does not require homeowners’ insurance, but most people want to insure the largest

investment they may ever make – their home. Also, if you own certain pets or a swimming pool, some

cities and counties require liability coverage, which would pay for covered injuries to others, or damage

to their property, for which you are legally responsible.

For mortgaged homes, the lending institution may require insurance coverage on the home, including

ood (if located in a special zone).

Depending on your home and which insurer you choose, you may obtain one of several homeowners’

insurance packages to cover your home and personal property. Each package provides coverage

against specied perils or events that cause damage to property, such as re, windstorm or theft.

Normally, a homeowners’ insurance policy provides coverage for the following:

• Structure (the dwelling itself)

• Other structures (like sheds and fences)

• Personal property (the contents of the structures)

• Loss of use (also called Additional Living Expense or ALE)

• Personal Liability

• Medical Payments to Others

The rst four are considered as “property” coverages located under Section I of your policy. Personal

Liability and Medical Payments to Others are considered “liability” coverages located under Section II

of your policy.

Property

Property coverage helps pay for damage caused by covered perils to your home, the contents of your

home and other personal belongings owned by you or family members who live with you. In some

cases, it helps pay for damage to other structures, such as tool sheds, detached garages, small boats,

guest houses and their contents. Your insurance agent or company can point out the items covered in

a given policy.

Most policies provide special limits to some

personal property, such as cash, antiques,

rearms, jewelry, furs and electronics. You

may be able to add additional coverage for

these items as an endorsement to your

insurance policy for an additional premium.

Your homeowners’ insurance policy may also

cover your dependent children’s belongings

while they attend college, whether they live

on or off campus. Check with your agent or

company representative concerning coverage

Section 1

Insuring Your Home

for children living away from home. You may need a separate policy.

Additional Living Expense (ALE)

Homeowners’ policies provide Additional Living Expense coverage that will pay some extra expenses

if damage to your home prevents you from living there while it is being repaired. Most policies also

provide this coverage when a civil authority (law enforcement agency, emergency management service,

etc.) prohibits the use of a residence or access to a residence due to direct damage to neighboring

homes by a covered peril.

The items typically covered - above and beyond normal expenses - include extra costs for food, housing,

telephone, relocation and storage, utility installation and furniture rental for a temporary residence. Be

sure to check your policy to nd out what is specically covered or excluded. This coverage applies only

to the additional amounts, over and above differences in expenses. For example, it would apply to the

cost of restaurant meals minus “normal” food expenses. It does not cover your mortgage, groceries and

utilities or the monthly cost of a telephone in a rented space. These are not expenses over and above

your normal expenses.

Your policy may designate a specied limit of coverage for additional living expenses, but your policy

does not obligate your company to pay this amount up front or in full if you suffer a total or partial

loss. For this reason, you must keep receipts for additional living expenses and submit these to your

company for reimbursement. Policies generally offer ALE coverage without any deductible. It applies

only to the residence in the event of a loss. ALE coverage does not apply to your dependent children

while they are away at college, and ood insurance policies issued through the National Flood Insurance

Program do not provide this coverage. If ood is covered under your homeowners’ insurance policy or

if you have a separate policy issued by the voluntary market, check your policy or talk to your agent to

determine coverage.

Personal Liability

This coverage protects you against a claim or lawsuit

resulting from (non-auto) bodily injury or property

damage to others. For example, if a neighbor slips

and falls in your house and sues you, and a jury nds

you legally liable, this coverage would pay that claim

plus legal fees up to the policy limits. This coverage

applies to you and all family members who live with

you. It does not cover intentional damage or harm

caused by you or family members who live with you.

Check your policy for exclusions and discuss them

with your agent.

Medical Payments

This coverage pays for medical expenses, up to

the medical payment limits, of persons accidentally

injured at your home, regardless of fault. It does not

apply to your injuries or those of anyone living with

INSURING YOUR HOME

you, or to activities involving an at-home business.

Ination Guard

Ination can increase the replacement cost of your home and its contents, while the actual cash value

of your home may decrease over time. An ination guard endorsement gradually increases your

dwelling’s coverage limit annually to assist you in keeping your home insured at its true replacement

cost. However, it is your responsibility to make sure you have the amount of coverage you need.

How Much Insurance Should You Buy?

Do not rely on the purchase price of the home, the amount of the mortgage loan, or the amount set by

the property tax appraiser or insurance agent. In order to be adequately covered, your home must be

insured for the amount it will take to rebuild the home at current prices for building materials and labor

costs. You may also need coverage to comply with current building codes when making repairs.

If your home is underinsured at the time of loss,

there may be a penalty or reduction in the amount

the insurance company will pay for the loss.

Ask your agent about limits and exclusions.

Insurance Packages

This section explains some of the insurance

packages available to Florida homeowners,

condominium-unit owners and mobile home

owners. The homeowners’ policy is a package

policy that may be modied, but dwellings,

INSURING YOUR HOME

Perils may include:

• Fire or lightning

• Windstorm or hail

• Explosion

• Riot or civil commotion

• Aircraft

• Vehicles

• Smoke

• Vandalism or malicious mischief

• Theft

• Falling objects

• Weight of ice, snow or sleet

• Accidental discharge or overow

of water or steam

• Sudden and accidental tearing

apart, cracking, burning or bulging

• Freezing

• Sudden and accidental damage

from articially generated electrical current

• Volcanic eruption

Homeowners’ Insurance

The three packages offered most frequently to owner-occupied, single-family homeowners’

include Broad Form HO-2, Special Form HO-3, and Modied Coverage Form HO-8. These

policies insure your home and personal property against a number of perils (examples listed

below are not inclusive).

unattached structures, personal property, liability, and medical payments are normally covered.

Florida Law also requires insurers to provide policyholders the option to exclude coverage for your

personal property as well as coverage for windstorm, if the policyholder personally writes a statement

that he does not want such coverage.

Coverage under homeowners’ insurance policies will vary from company to company. It is important to

review your insurance needs with your agent or company representative. It is also very important that

you read your policy so you understand the coverage you have.

Special Form (HO-3) is the most popular and most comprehensive homeowners’ form of the three

forms mentioned above. It covers the home for all causes of loss not specically excluded. So, it’s very

important to read the exclusions. All homeowners’ policies provide liability coverage.

Condominium Insurance

Condominium Unit-Owners’ Form (HO-6) covers your personal property and certain building items not

insured by the association’s policy. It also includes personal liability coverage.

A condominium association may choose to cover some items in its policy, so make sure you are

thoroughly familiar with its by-laws and policy to know what the association is responsible for. If you

have difculty obtaining copies of these documents, call the Florida Department of Business and

Professional Regulation, Division of Florida, Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes, at (850)

488-1122.

A condo association policy usually does not cover the following items if they are located within your unit:

• Floor, wall and ceiling coverings

• Electrical xtures

• Appliances

• Water heaters

• Water lters

• Built-in cabinets and countertops

• Window treatments, including drapes, blinds and hardware replacement

Unit-owners should insure interior additions or upgrades which are not the same kind or quality as the

original building items.

If an item is covered by both the association’s and unit owner’s policy, the association’s policy should

pay rst. This can affect the amount of coverage you need for the building under your policy, so it is

important to review your existing policy with your agent to make sure you are adequately covered.

Condo associations may assess individual unit-owners for damage to the commonly owned areas that

are not covered by the association’s policy. Your unit-owner’s policy may provide limited coverage for

such a “loss assessment.” The extent and amount of “loss assessment” coverage varies by insurance

company, but all admitted carriers (those issued a Certicate of Authority by the Ofce of Insurance

Regulation) are required to include a minimum of $2,000. Always review your coverage with your agent

or insurance company. An assessment by the condo association for the association’s policy

deductible is usually not covered by your unit owner’s assessment coverage.

INSURING YOUR HOME

Mobile Home Insurance

Mobile home policies may not provide coverage as broad as a homeowners’ policy. You should review

your individual policy to determine what is covered and what is excluded. There are three settlement

options available on a mobile home policy. All three are subject to the limits shown on your policy. You

should review your individual policy to determine your options.

A stated amount policy species that you will recover the policy’s face amount in the event of a total

loss, based upon the agreement made in your application. Insurance companies usually offer this type

of policy for newer-model homes.

An actual cash value policy will pay the

amount needed to repair a home after

depreciation is subtracted.

A replacement cost policy will pay for the

replacement of a damaged or destroyed home

without deducting for depreciation.

Home Rental or Dwelling Insurance

If you rent your home to others, insurance

companies offer landlord coverage to suit your

situation. If you rent a room or a portion of your

home, ask your agent what coverage you may

need.

Other Factors to Consider

When analyzing needed coverage, these are some other factors to consider:

Coverage Availability When Storms Threaten

You cannot obtain new or additional coverage when a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning has

been issued for any area within the state of Florida. Don’t wait until the last minute to purchase your

policy, especially during hurricane season (June 1 through Nov. 30), when several storms can form

simultaneously.

Building Materials

The building materials used in the construction of your home will affect the cost to insure it. For example,

it’s more expensive to insure a frame house than one made of brick. If you are building a new home,

using stronger construction materials and construction techniques can save you money on insurance

premiums. Talk with your agent to see what discounts and/or reduced premiums are available to you.

Home Warranty Plans

Homeowners’ insurance can protect your home from losses due to re, theft, and other perils. A home

warranty plan, though, offers a service contract that can pay for unexpected repairs to the home’s

plumbing, electrical system, appliances, etc., during the warranty period. However, these plans offer no

substitute for a homeowners’ insurance policy.

INSURING YOUR HOME

Options If You Can’t Locate Coverage

The following options may be available if you are having difculty locating insurance for your home.

Florida Market Assistance Plan (FMAP)

The Florida Market Assistance Plan (FMAP) was created by the Florida legislature in 1985 as a service

organization designed to assist consumers in obtaining property and casualty insurance coverage from

authorized insurers in the private market.

FMAP’s online services utilize a computer database that stores information on consumers seeking

insurance coverage for their property located in Florida. The FMAP application matches those seeking

insurance coverage with participating licensed Florida agents that may be able to write the requested

insurance policy. The matching agent(s) or insurer(s) then call the interested party seeking coverage to

determine eligibility and provide an offer where applicable. Their website is www.fmap.org. Their toll-

free telephone number is 1-800-524-9023.

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation

You may be eligible for coverage with Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens) if you can’t

locate coverage in the voluntary market. The 2002 Florida Legislature merged the Florida Windstorm

Underwriting Association and the Florida Residential Property and Casualty Joint Underwriting

Association to form Citizens. (See the “Windstorm Coverage” section of this guide for more details on

Citizens, or visit www.citizensa.com.) Policies with Citizens are sold by local insurance agents.

Surplus Lines Companies

Admitted companies (those with a Certicate of Authority from the Ofce of Insurance Regulation) often

reject risks that do not meet their underwriting requirements. Some of the underwriting criteria may be

the age of the home, the construction of the home, the age of the roof, plumbing or electrical wiring.

The location of the home may be an underwriting concern. The insurance company will also ask what

type of animals you own.

Surplus Lines insurers help ll this need for consumers who can’t obtain coverage from admitted

companies. Before turning to a surplus lines insurer, your agent must apply for and receive rejections

from at least three admitted companies.

Freedom from most insurance regulation, such as form and rate lings, allows Surplus Lines companies

to respond to unmet needs of customers. The one thing you should be aware of is the Surplus Lines

Carrier is not covered by the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association in the event it becomes insolvent

or goes out of business and you have an unpaid claim or are due a refund of premium. A Surplus Lines

policy must have stamped or written on the rst page of the policy the following words:

“This insurance is issued pursuant to the Florida Surplus Lines law. Persons insured by

Surplus Lines carriers do not have the protection of the Florida Insurance Guaranty Act

to the extent of any right of recovery for the obligation of an insolvent unlicensed insurer.”

Thoroughly read any Surplus Lines policy, if purchased, since DFS does not regulate the rates these

companies charge or the forms they use. These policies may not provide the same coverage or

deductibles offered by admitted insurance companies.

INSURING YOUR HOME

Your Lending Institution

Most lenders providing mortgages require you to purchase property insurance to protect their nancial

interest in the property. The mortgage holder has an interest in the dwelling and unattached structures

portion of the policy until the loan is paid in full, but not the personal property, additional living expense

or liability portion of the policy.

This means your insurance company will make any claim checks for damage to the dwelling or

unattached structures payable to you (the insured) and your nancial institution. The lender has a right

to make sure repairs are completed.

The lender will inform you of its stipulations to obtain the money for repairs. In some instances, the

lender will provide money up front for you to begin the repairs and as they are completed, you will show

the lender proof of the repairs and they will continue to advance money. In other instances, the lender

may allow you to provide a signed contract for the repairs and they may pay the contractor directly as

repairs are made. When repairs are completed, lenders can’t keep remaining settlement proceeds to

cover the balance of your loan, unless your payments are in arrears.

If you feel your nancial institution is withholding funds that are rightfully yours, call the Ofce of Financial

Regulation at 1-850-487-9687.

Force-Placed Homeowners’ Insurance

If you fail to obtain homeowners’ insurance, your lender may purchase it for you since loan contracts

usually require it. This is called “force-placed” insurance.

Warning: The premium for force-placed coverage is very expensive. The policy only covers the structure

and not your personal property, or the policy may only cover the loan’s outstanding balance. Also, the

insured is actually the lender purchasing the policy; therefore, you may not have any rights to the policy

even though you were billed for the premium.

Private Mortgage Insurance

Most homeowners know this type of coverage by its initials, PMI. This insurance helps protect lenders

from default by borrowers. The mortgage company may require this type of insurance if your down

payment is less than 20 percent of the property’s value. This insurance allows you to qualify for a larger

mortgage than is otherwise available with a small down payment.

Credit Life Insurance

This type of insurance may pay off your home in the event of your death. The premium for this insurance

will vary depending on the face amount of coverage, the term of the loan and the age of the insured.

Certain health related questions may also be asked on the application. Coverage is not guaranteed.

You may obtain this coverage for both spouses under one contract on a rst-to-die basis. This means

that the surviving spouse becomes the beneciary. As with all insurance policies, it is a good idea to do

research in order to choose the credit life insurance policy that is right for you.

INSURING YOUR HOME

What About Building a New Home?

If you plan to build your own home or hire a contractor to build one for you, a Builder’s Risk policy may

be what you need while the home is under construction. Coverage under a typical Builders’ Risk policy

covers the home from the start of construction and continues until a stated time found in the policy after

construction is completed.

Builder’s Risk policies cover items such as the home under construction, building materials, machinery,

equipment, permanent xtures, debris removal,

pollutant cleanup, oor plans, blueprints,

valuable records or papers, landscaping, etc.

This coverage can help ensure that you or your

contractor can obtain funds to repair or rebuild in

case of loss. In addition, liability coverage may

be purchased to cover your liability exposure in

connection with the construction.

Before you start a home-construction project,

nd out whether you or your contractor should

purchase a Builders Risk policy. Individuals

hiring a contractor to build a home can require

them to obtain a builders risk policy as part of the construction contract.

Also, some homeowners’ policies are used to cover a home under construction. You should contact

your insurance agent or insurer for more information.

Policy Termination

Admitted insurance companies can take up to 90-days to decide whether you meet their underwriting

guidelines. Within this 90-day period, a company must give you a 20-day notice if it intends to cancel

the policy, except for nonpayment of premium, which requires a 10-day notice.

After 90-days, your company may cancel your policy if:

• You don’t pay your premium;

• You provided false information on your application;

• You failed to follow the company’s requirements; or

• You increased your risks through new activities or home improvements.

For reasons other than nonpayment of premium, the company must provide a 120-day notice before it

may cancel your policy.

Companies can always non-renew, with certain limitations, your policy with proper notice. The non-

renewal notice must be provided at least 120-days in advance.

You may cancel your policy at any time by providing a written request. You should receive a refund of

any unearned premium. However, if you cancel an insurance policy early, the company may retain 10%

of the unearned premium amount. If you are changing insurance policies or companies, make sure you

do not have a break in coverage between the two policies. This could result in your mortgage company

adding the cost of a force-placed policy to your mortgage.

INSURING YOUR HOME

Special Limits on Certain Personal Property

Homeowners’ insurance policies usually have special limits of coverage on personal items such as

cash, jewelry, silverware, guns, antiques, boats and other items. If you need additional coverage for

these items, talk to your insurance agent. In most cases, additional coverage can be obtained by

paying an additional premium.

Replacement Cost Versus Actual Cash Value

There are two settlement options available when purchasing insurance on your home. You can elect to

insure your home and personal property for Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost.

Replacement Cost

Replacement Cost is the amount needed to repair or replace your damaged property with materials of

similar kind and quality, without deducting for depreciation (the decrease in the value of your home or

personal property due to normal wear and tear).

Actual Cash Value

Actual Cash Value is the amount needed to repair or replace an item, less depreciation. For example,

your insurance company would deduct for the age and condition of a 17-year-old roof with a 20-year

life expectancy. In this scenario, you have used 17 out of 20 years expectancy. You would be paid for

the remaining three years value.

Here is how both settlement options work in practice. Let’s say you purchased a new television in

2013 for $1,000 and it was destroyed by lightning in 2015. If the settlement option available on your

insurance policy is Actual Cash Value, your insurer will pay an amount that reects the current value

of the 2013 TV. If the life expectancy of the 2013 TV is approximately 10 years, you would have used

two years so you would receive the value of the other eight, $800. A policy that settles claims based on

the Actual Cash Value will consider depreciation. A Replacement Cost policy would cover the cost to

replace the TV with a new one of the same like, kind, and quality even if it’s more than what you paid

in 2013 - say $1,100.

Your agent must offer you Replacement Cost coverage on your dwelling. In order to receive the

replacement cost benet, most homeowners’ insurance policies require the policyholder to insure their

home for at least 80% of its replacement value.

If your home is covered by a Replacement Cost policy that requires you to have it insured for at least

80% of its replacement cost, and you do not insure the correct amount, you may become a co-insurer

for any partial loss claim.

For instance, if you insure the home for $100,000 and the true replacement cost is $200,000, you should

have insured the home for at least $160,000. If you have a loss of $25,000.00, the company would

pay only $15,625, less your deductible, on the claim. The formula used by the insurer to determine

the amount they owe in this example is the amount of insurance carried divided by the amount

Section 2

Know What Your

Policy Covers

KNOW WHAT YOUR POLICY COVERS

of insurance required, times the amount of loss, equals the amount payable by the insurance

company ($100,000 divided by $160,000 times $25,000 = $15,625 and then subtract the deductible.)

Windstorm Coverage

Most homeowners’ insurance policies cover damage caused by windstorms, hurricanes and hail,

unless you sign to waive the coverage. Also, if your home is located in the Wind-Pool Area, it is likely

that Windstorm Coverage is excluded on your regular homeowners’ policy and you must purchase

a separate windstorm policy if you want the coverage. Most lenders require you to carry Windstorm

Coverage if you have a mortgage.

Flood Insurance

Most homeowners’ policies exclude ood damage (rising water). Depending on your home’s location,

however, you may qualify for ood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). You

also may qualify for a discount if you include a special elevation report with your application. Recently,

other insurance companies have entered the ood insurance market. In some instances, you may be

able to purchase ood insurance through the same insurance company that provides your homeowners’

coverage. The private industry policy must meet at least the requirements of policies issued by the

NFIP. For more information, contact the National Flood Insurance Program at 1-888-FLOOD29 (1-888-

356-6329), or your insurance agent.

Flood insurance is available for your home and personal property. Normally, there is a 30-day waiting

period before a ood insurance policy becomes effective with the National Flood Insurance Program,

unless the policy is purchased at the same time you purchase or renance your home. Flood Insurance

can be obtained from your local agent.

Sinkholes and Catastrophic Ground Cover Collapse

Insurance companies are not required to automatically include sinkhole coverage on homeowners’

insurance policies. In some cases, sinkhole coverage may be offered, but the insurance company

has a right to inspect the premises for possible sinkhole activity and decline coverage if it’s found. In

other cases, the company may decline sinkhole coverage if your home is within a certain distance of

conrmed sinkhole activity.

Insurance companies must include “catastrophic ground cover collapse” which means:

1. The abrupt collapse of the ground cover;

2. A depression in the ground cover clearly

visible to the naked eye;

3. Structural damage to the building,

including the foundation; and

4. The insured structure being condemned

and ordered to be vacated by the

governmental agency authorized by law

to issue such an order for that structure.

Insurers may also restrict sinkhole and catastrophic ground cover collapse to the principal building, as

dened in the applicable policy.

Surplus Lines insurers are not required to offer sinkhole coverage, but many do. Ask your agent for

details.

Ordinance or Law Exclusion

If a local building ordinance or law has changed which increases the cost to repair or replace your

home, the insurance company does not pay that extra amount, unless your policy includes ordinance

or law coverage.

This is how it works: Let’s say your home was built in 1982. Let’s further say the home was damaged

over 50% during a hurricane in 2015. At the time of the hurricane, the building code required you to

rebuild the entire structure to comply with current building codes if the home was damaged 50% or

more. Ordinance or Law coverage could help demolish the undamaged portion and rebuild the home to

comply with the current building code. Complying with current building codes may require changes in

design and/or building materials which

could result in you paying more to repair

or rebuild your home. In the example

above if you didn’t have this valuable

coverage, the insurance company

would not pay for the demolition of the

undamaged portion of the structure or

the increased cost to comply with the

current building code.

Admitted carriers must include a

Ordinance or Law coverage limit of at

least 25% of the dwelling coverage.

Also, they must allow you to select

50% of the dwelling coverage. Some

insurance companies will allow you to

reject this coverage by signing a waiver.

Mold

Typically, mold that results from a covered peril is covered under your homeowners’ policy, although

the amount can be limited. An example of a covered peril would be a sudden and accidental discharge

of water - like a burst pipe or other plumbing failure, or claims that arise from water intrusions due to

hurricanes.

Most insurers offer limited levels of mold-related coverage in their policies. The most common limitation

we see is $10,000. In some cases, an insured can purchase higher limits of mold coverage for an

additional premium. Other companies exclude coverage for mold-related claims.

KNOW WHAT YOUR POLICY COVERS

Sample Declarations Page

Where to Locate Policy Information

- Policyholder name and location of insured

dwelling

- Company Name

- Policy Number

- Premium

- Mortgage holder name and address jewelry

or silverware

- Summary of basic coverages and limits

a - Deductible (amount policyholder must pay

per claim or accident)

b - Hurricane deductible

- Liability protection

- Type of policy (in this case, HO-3)

- Optional coverage (called an endorsement)

for special items such as

- Coverage offered or required under Florida

law

- Name of agent or company representative

KNOW WHAT YOUR POLICY COVERS

We recommend completing a room-by-room inventory so if you have a claim, you will be able to provide

complete and accurate information to the insurance company so they can process your claim. The

more detailed documentation you can supply during the claims process, the fewer problems you will

experience.

The following inventory includes the main rooms of a home, but don’t forget other areas such as

your closets, basement, attic, garage, porch, patio, workroom or sheds. In addition to completing an

inventory, take photos of your personal property. Pictures add details about your inventory that written

documents can’t. Also, include serial numbers if they are available.

Once the inventory is complete, estimate the replacement cost of your property using current prices

and compare that amount to your personal property coverage limit. If you feel your coverage should

be increased, contact your agent. Also, review your inventory list for items that may be underinsured

due to the limitations on certain types of personal property (discussed earlier). Since insurance policies

differ, you should check your own insurance policy for the list of personal property subject to limitations.

If you determine you need additional coverage for any of these items, contact your insurance agent.

It’s very important to update your inventory at least once a year.

Personal Asset Inventory

The inventory provided includes the following rooms. Use additional sheets of paper if needed.

Disclaimer: This toolkit may not provide a complete list of items in your inventory. You should add pages

as needed to complete your own personal inventory.

Living Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Family Room (Den)

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Other

Section 3

Property Inventory &

Claim Process

TIP: When dealing with an insurance claim, never give original documents

to anyone. Always provide copies and keep the original documents.

TIP: If possible, take photographs or video recordings of

your property and store all records in a safe, dry place.

PROPERTY INVENTORY & CLAIM PROCESS

Financial Account Information

Name of Institution:

Address:

Phone Number:

Account Number:

Website:

Mortgage Information

If your home is mortgaged, any insurance claim settlement will be made out to you and the mortgage

holder. You will need to keep the mortgage holder informed of the process and arrange a schedule of

release of funds for repairs.

Name of Institution:

Address:

Phone Number:

Account Number:

Website:

Additional Accounts (utility companies, cell phone provider, etc):

PROPERTY INVENTORY & CLAIM PROCESS

Living Room Inventory

Item Qty

Purchase

Date

Purchase

Price

Brand Name Make/Model/Serial #

Furniture

Sofas/Chairs

Mirrors

Lamps

Rugs/Carpet

Tables

Curtains/Draperies

Entertainment Center

Bookcases/Books

Other:

Arts & Crafts

Pictures/Paintings

Sculptures/Pottery

Other:

Electronics

Television

Stereo

VCR/DVD

CDs

Telephones

Computer

Clocks

Other:

Miscellaneous

Air Conditioner

Cabinets

Fireplace Fixtures

Blinds

Other:

Additional

Notes:

PROPERTY INVENTORY & CLAIM PROCESS

Dining Room Inventory

Item Qty

Purchase

Date

Purchase

Price

Brand Name Make/Model/Serial #

Furniture

Tables

Chairs

Cabinets

Curtains/Draperies

Chandeliers/Lamps

Mirrors

Rugs/Carpet

Other:

Electronics

Telephones

Clocks

Other:

Arts & Crafts

Pictures/Paintings

Sculptures/Pottery

Other:

Miscellaneous

China/Crystal

Glassware

Table Linens

Blinds

Other:

Additional

Notes:

PROPERTY INVENTORY & CLAIM PROCESS

Kitchen Inventory

Item Qty

Purchase

Date

Purchase

Price

Brand Name Make/Model/Serial #

Furniture

Floor Mats

Cabinets

Curtains/Draperies

Tables

Chairs

Other:

Major Appliances

Freezer

Refrigerator

Oven

Microwave

Other:

Utensils

Pots/Pans

Silverware

Glasses

Plates/Dishes

Cooking Utensils

Other:

Miscellaneous

Blender

Toaster

Can Opener

Coee Maker

Pictures/Paintings

Blinds

Cabinets

Other:

Additional

Notes:

PROPERTY INVENTORY & CLAIM PROCESS

Family Room (Den) Inventory

Item Qty

Purchase

Date

Purchase

Price

Brand Name Make/Model/Serial #

Furniture

Tables

Sofa/Chairs

Rugs/Carpet

Entertainment Center

Game Table

Bookcases/Books

Desks

Mirrors

Other:

Arts & Crafts

Pictures/Paintings

Sculptures/Pottery

Other:

Electronics

Television

VCR/DVD

Stereo

CDs

Computer

Video Game System

Clocks

Other:

Miscellaneous

Air Conditioner

Fireplace Fixtures

Blinds/Draperies

Other:

Additional

Notes:

PROPERTY INVENTORY & CLAIM PROCESS

Bedrooms Inventory

Item Qty

Purchase

Date

Purchase

Price

Brand Name Make/Model/Serial #

Furniture

Beds

Nightstand

Lamps

Desks

Rugs/Carpet

Bed Linens

Curtains/Draperies

Dressers

Bureaus/Chests

Bookcases/Books

Mirrors

Other:

Arts & Crafts

Pictures/Paintings

Sculptures/Pottery

Other:

Electronics

Computer

Clocks

Television

VCR/DVD

Stereo

CDs

Other:

Miscellaneous

Blinds

Clothing

Other:

Additional

Notes:

PROPERTY INVENTORY & CLAIM PROCESS

Bathrooms Inventory

Item Qty

Purchase

Date

Purchase

Price

Brand Name Make/Model/Serial #

Furniture

Hamper

Floor Mats

Mirrors

Bath Mats

Bathtub

Curtains/Draperies

Other:

Arts & Crafts

Pictures/Paintings

Sculptures/Pottery

Other:

Electronics

Electronic Toothbrush

Hair Dryer

Shaver

Curlers

Other:

Miscellaneous

Towels/Linens

Toiletries

Scale

Other:

Additional

Notes:

PROPERTY INVENTORY & CLAIM PROCESS

Other Inventory

Item Qty

Purchase

Date

Purchase

Price

Brand Name Make/Model/Serial #

Real Estate

Vehicles

Cars/Trucks

Boats

RVs

Other:

Jewelry & Collectibles

Computer Hardware/Electrical Devices

Additional

Notes:

PROPERTY INVENTORY & CLAIM PROCESS

Other Inventory

Item Qty

Purchase

Date

Purchase

Price

Brand Name Make/Model/Serial #

Miscellaneous

Cameras

Furs

Antiques

Tools

Firearms

Plants

Toys/Porcelain Dolls

Telescope

Fish/Fish Tanks

Musical Instruments

Outdoor Furniture

Lawnmower

Other:

Additional

Notes:

The Claims Process

If you have a covered loss, you should determine if the amount of the loss exceeds your policy

deductible. If the damage exceeds your deductible, report the loss to your insurance company as

soon as possible. If the covered loss is due to a hurricane and the amount of the loss is less than your

hurricane deductible, you should still le a claim with your insurance company, and save all invoices

and receipts for the repairs that were completed.

It is important to le the claim because the hurricane deductible is a calendar year deductible. This

means, you only have to meet the hurricane deductible once during the calendar year. If there are

two or more hurricanes in the same calendar year, the deductible that will be applied to damage that

occurs from a second hurricane will be either (1) the amount left over from the deductible applied to the

damage from the rst hurricane or (2) the “all peril” deductible stated in your policy, whichever is greater.

If your home is damaged, you must make emergency repairs to prevent further damage. You should

keep all your receipts for material and labor while making emergency repairs. It is benecial to take

pictures of the damaged property before starting the emergency repairs. You should never repair all

the structure damage or throw away any damaged personal property until instructed to do so by the

adjuster. The company has a right to inspect the damage before you receive payment.

Make sure your adjuster is properly licensed in Florida. If you have any questions about the license

status of an adjuster, or the way your claim was handled, call the Department’s Insurance Consumer

Helpline toll-free at 1-877-My-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).

Keep a phone log of the dates, times, and names of all persons you speak to regarding your claim. Also

keep a copy of anything you sign.

Options Available If You Have a Claim Dispute

Mediation: This is an informal process where a trained, neutral mediator tries to help resolve the

dispute without dictating the outcome. The insurance company pays the cost of the mediation process.

Mediation is not binding on either party. You are not required to accept the offer made by the company

at the mediation conference. To determine if your claim qualies for mediation, call the Department’s

Insurance Consumer Helpline at 1-877-My-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).

Appraisal: If you and your company representative cannot reach a satisfactory settlement and your

policy allows appraisal, you may hire an appraiser to reach a compromise gure. Your appraiser will

negotiate with the insurer’s appraiser to reach a settlement. If the two appraisers cannot agree, they

will hire an umpire. The cost of the umpire is shared by you and the insurer. A decision of any two of

the three appraisers is binding on all parties.

Types of Adjusters

When you report a claim to your insurer, they normally assign an adjuster to inspect and estimate your

loss. Adjusters must be licensed in the state of Florida. There are three types of adjusters.

1. Company Adjusters: They work and are paid by your insurance company to inspect and estimate

your loss. They submit a report directly to the insurance company which is used by the company

to determine payment to you. In the event of a disaster, emergency adjusters are licensed to

assist in Florida. The emergency adjusters are also hired and paid by the insurance companies.

PROPERTY INVENTORY & CLAIM PROCESS

2. Independent adjusters: They may be self-employed or work for an independent adjusting rm.

Independent adjusters and their rms are also hired and paid by insurance companies to adjust

claims of their policyholders. They inspect and estimate your loss and report it to the insurance

company. The company makes the nal decision regarding the amount they pay you.

3. Public adjusters: They may be self-employed or work for a public adjusting rm. You may hire

a public adjuster to estimate your damage and negotiate a settlement on your behalf with the

insurance company. A public adjuster charges a fee to handle the claim on your behalf. Their

fee is normally stated on the contract as a percentage of the amount they collect on your behalf.

In Florida, there are limitations on the amount public adjusters can charge depending on the

type of claim you have. When you call to verify a public adjuster’s license, you should also verify

the amount they are charging you is correct.

Make sure your adjuster is properly licensed in Florida. If you have any questions about the license

status of an adjuster, or the way your claim was handled, call the Department’s Insurance Consumer

Helpline toll-free at 1-877-My-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).

You may use the following log to record the name and contact information for the adjuster assigned to

your claim as well as any conversations you have. You should also document attempts to contact the

adjuster that were unsuccessful or conversations with others regarding your claim. This information

could be benecial at a later date.

Adjuster Name:

Adjuster’s Company:

Adjuster’s Phone:

Adjuster’s License Number:

Claim Number:

PROPERTY INVENTORY & CLAIM PROCESS

LOG:

PROPERTY INVENTORY & CLAIM PROCESS

• Conduct scheduled reviews of your insurance policy to make sure you are adequately

covered and your coverage is up to date.

• Make sure you have a designated place to meet other family members in the event of

an emergency. If you are directed to a specic location by local authorities, make sure

other family members know where you are.

• Listen to the news on your TV or radio to receive emergency instructions from local

authorities and to keep up with the current weather conditions. You should have a

battery-operated radio available in case you lose power. Make sure you have extra

batteries on hand.

• If you know a storm is headed your way, ll up your gas tank in case you must evacuate.

It is not always easy to nd an operating gas station as the storm approaches.

• If you must evacuate, try to contact your employer and let them know your plans.

• You should always have an emergency kit for injuries or illnesses on hand. It is a good

idea to have one located permanently in your vehicle.

• Make advance plans for your pets. Not all public shelters or hotels allow animals unless

they are “service animals”. If you must leave your pets at home, leave a 3-day supply

of food and water.

• Before a storm arrives, move any outside furniture or other valuables into your home

and lock all windows and doors. Pick up any loose items in the yard as they can become

projectiles in a storm. Also, check on your neighbors to see if they need assistance.

• You should keep cash on hand. ATMs will not work if the power is out, and banks may

not be able to restock the ATMs for a while once power is restored.

Before the Storm

As the Storm Approaches

Make sure your family has a plan of evacuation, including a list of people to contact in the event you

need to leave the area.

People to Contact

List individuals to be contacted before and after evacuation (one person should be located out of state if possible).

Name:

Email:

Phone Number:

Name:

Email:

Phone Number:

List Evacuation Route Options:

Route One:

Storm Shelter:

Route Two:

Storm Shelter:

Medical Information

Physician’s Name:

Physician’s Phone Number:

Pharmacy Name:

Pharmacy Phone Number:

• List of Necessary Medications

• Health Insurance ID card (s)

• Record of Immunizations/Allergies

• Disabilities Documentation

• Living Will

• Dental Records / Child Identity Cards / DNA Swabs

PROPERTY INVENTORY & CLAIM PROCESS

Note: If you take prescription medications regularly, you should contact your pharmacy

before a storm strikes to get prescriptions lled so that you don’t run out.

Make sure you have the following information. If you are missing some of this information and are

unsure where to obtain it, see the list of resources at the end of this list. These items may assist if you

need to le for government disaster assistance, tax assistance, etc.

Insurance Policies

Make sure you have the correct phone number to report a claim with your insurance company. Review

your coverage to make sure it is adequate for your current circumstances.

• Property Insurance

• Auto Insurance

• Health Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Other

Financial Information

• Bank/Credit Union Statements

• Credit/Debit Card Statements

• Retirement Accounts (401K, TSP, IRA)

• Investment Accounts (Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds)

Tax Information

Tax returns from the previous year may be required to apply for loans and to verify your income in the

event you need to apply for assistance.

• Previous Year’s Income Tax Return

• Property Tax Statement

• Personal Property Tax (i.e. Car Tax)

Sources of Income/Assets

You may be required to provide verication of your income and its source if you need to apply for

assistance.

• Recent Pay Stubs for All Sources of Income

• Government Benets (e.g. Social Security, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Veterans’)

• Alimony Income

• Child Support Income

• Professional Appraisals of Personal Property

• Rewards Accounts (e.g., Frequent Flyer Programs, Hotel Rewards)

Section 4

Legal & Financial

Document Checklist

Vital Insurance Information

The following information will be of the most importance immediately after a storm and will help expedite

the ling of claims. Be sure to know what your insurance policies cover. It is a good idea to perform

an annual review of the type and amount of coverage you have, to make sure you are adequately

protected in the event of a loss.

Property Insurance Health Insurance

• Company Name • Company Name

• Policy Number • Policy Number

• Company Phone Number • Company Phone Number

• Company Address • Company Address

• Deductible • Deductible

• Premium Due Date • Premium Due Date

Wind Only Policy Life Insurance

• Company Name • Company Name

• Policy Number • Policy Number

• Company Phone Number • Company Phone Number

• Company Address • Company Address

• Deductible • Deductible

• Premium Due Date • Premium Due Date

Auto Insurance Other Insurance (Boat, Windstorm, Flood, etc.)

• Company Name • Type of Policy

• Policy Number • Company Name

• Company Phone Number • Policy Number

• Company Address • Company Phone Number

• Deductible • Company Address

• Premium Due Date • Deductible

• Premium Due Date

LEGAL & FINANCIAL DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

Special Note about Security Concerns

In addition, electronic payments, credit/debit cards and software programs for taxes and other

nances require a password, PIN (Personal Identication Number) or personal security questions

as an extra measure of protection. It is important to keep these access codes secure. DO NOT

include a list of passwords and PINs in your documents.

Choosing secure passwords is one of the most important things you can do to keep your electronic

accounts safe and avoid the headaches and potential suffering caused by security breaches. Be

sure to select a password or PIN that is something you will be able to remember, but that is

NOT something easily associated with you, such as a birth date, phone number, nickname or

other reference someone could easily discover. Never write your password down or store it in an

unencrypted le.

NEVER give out a password or PIN for any account to anyone, no matter who the person is or

claims to be. No customer service representative, systems administrator or corporate security

ofcer should ever ask you for your password or PIN. If someone is authorized to access your

account, he or she does not need your password to get access.

LEGAL & FINANCIAL DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

Financial Obligations

Having a record of your nancial obligations can be extremely important to demonstrate your discretionary

income and to qualify for income-based assistance following a disaster. If you do not have a lease,

having proof of utility payments is very important to demonstrate residence in the home.

• Mortgage Statement

• Lease

• Utility Bills (Electric, Water, Gas)

• Car Payment

• Student Loan

• Alimony Payments

• Child Support Payments

• Elder Care Facilities

• Other Debt

How to Get Important Documents

You can obtain copies of birth, death, marriage, divorce and adoption certicates from your state health

or social services administrations for a minimal fee.

The IRS requires all U.S. Citizens who receive income to have a Social Security Number. You may

obtain assistance in obtaining replacement cards at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/ or you

may visit your local Social Security Ofce.

If you need to replace your passport, a copy of your passport helps expedite this process. Additional

information may be obtained at http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html.

If you need to replace naturalization documents please visit http://www.uscis.gov/n-565. Naturalization

documents are the only acceptable proof of citizenship for individuals not born in the United States.

Additional information regarding U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is also available at the site

listed above.

A Will is an extremely important document that can help reduce family conicts, probate, time and

expenses during the stressful time of losing a loved one. A Short Form Will, an uncomplicated will

used to give all assets equally to one or more heirs, can generally be obtained for less than $10. Most

nancial planners can help you with this or you can contact your local legal aid ofces.

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that authorizes another person to act on your behalf. That

person does not have to be an attorney, just someone you trust to make decisions for you if you cannot

make them yourself. A Power of Attorney can grant complete authority or can be limited to certain acts

and/or for certain periods of time.

If you need a copy of your mortgage or deed of trust, contact your lending institution. Proof of home

ownership may be required in order to receive federal disaster assistance.

If you do not have the title or registration to your vehicle, you should be able to get a duplicate title or

registration from your local Department of Motor Vehicles.

Notes:

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