When severe weather strikes your Florida home and causes storm damage to your exterior, navigating the insurance claims process can feel overwhelming. Between documenting damage, understanding what your homeowners insurance policy covers, filing your claim with your insurance company, and managing repairs—the stress can be significant.
At A&E Remodeling, we understand the challenges Florida homeowners face after storm damage. With over 25 years of experience serving the St. Petersburg area, we’ve helped countless homeowners through the exterior repair process following hurricanes, tropical storms, and severe weather events. While we’re exterior remodeling specialists—not insurance adjusters—our expertise can help guide you through the process and ensure your property damage is properly documented and repaired.
If you’re dealing with storm damage to your siding, soffit, fascia, or gutters, we’re here to help you understand your options. Visit our Google Business Profile to see how we’ve helped other Florida homeowners protect their homes.
Understanding Storm Damage and Homeowners Insurance
Florida’s weather presents unique challenges for homeowners. From hurricane-force winds and torrential rain to intense UV exposure and hail damage, your home’s exterior faces constant threats. When storm damage occurs, understanding what your homeowners insurance covers is the first crucial step in protecting your property.
Common Types of Storm Damage Covered by Insurance
Most standard homeowners insurance policies in Florida cover sudden damage caused by storms and severe weather, which often includes:
- Wind damage from hurricane-force winds, tornadoes, or high wind events that tear off siding, damage soffit and fascia, or rip away gutters
- Hail damage that impacts and dents siding, gutters, or roofing materials
- Water damage from wind-driven rain that penetrates damaged exterior materials
- Damage from the weight of fallen trees or large branches that strike your home during storms
- Damage to your property from flying debris during severe weather
However, it’s critical to understand that not all storm damage insurance claims are created equal. Your homeowners insurance policy may have specific exclusions, separate deductibles, and coverage limits that affect how much your insurance will pay for repairs.
What Your Homeowners Insurance May Cover
Understanding your homeowners insurance coverage is essential before you need to file a claim. Most standard home insurance policies include:
Dwelling Coverage: This portion of your homeowners policy covers damage to your home’s structure, including exterior elements like siding, soffit, fascia, and attached gutters when damaged by covered perils such as wind damage, hail damage, or damage caused by fallen trees.
Separate Deductibles: Many Florida homeowners insurance policies now include separate wind deductibles or hurricane deductibles, often calculated as a percentage of your home’s insured value (typically 2-10%). This means you may pay a higher deductible for storm damage than for other types of damage to your home.
Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value: Your homeowners insurance policy may cover repairs at replacement cost (full value to repair or replace) or actual cash value (replacement cost minus depreciation). This distinction significantly impacts how much your insurance company will pay for your storm damage claim.
Additional Living Expenses: If storm damage makes your home uninhabitable, your homeowners insurance may cover temporary housing costs while repairs are completed.
What Homeowners Insurance Typically Doesn’t Cover
It’s equally important to understand common exclusions in standard homeowners insurance:
Flood Damage: Standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. You need a separate flood insurance policy, typically through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurance provider. If your storm damage includes flooding, you’ll need to file a separate claim with your flood insurance company.
Pre-existing Damage: Insurance companies won’t cover damage that existed before the storm. This is why it’s crucial to document the damage immediately after severe weather and maintain records of your home’s condition.
Maintenance Issues: Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by lack of maintenance. If your insurance adjuster determines that rot or deterioration contributed to the damage, your claim may be partially or fully denied.
Gradual Damage: Most homeowners insurance policies exclude damage that occurs gradually over time, covering only sudden, accidental damage from specific storm events.
The Insurance Claims Process After Storm Damage
Understanding the claim process can help you navigate your storm damage insurance claim more effectively and avoid common pitfalls that delay settlements or reduce payouts.
Steps to File a Storm Damage Claim
When you discover storm damage to your home’s exterior, follow these steps to file your claim as soon as possible:
1. Assess the Damage Safely
After severe weather passes, carefully inspect your property for visible damage. Look for obvious signs of damage like missing siding, damaged gutters, torn soffit and fascia, or debris impact. However, don’t put yourself at risk—wait until conditions are safe before inspecting your property.
2. Document the Damage Thoroughly
Proper documentation is critical for your insurance claim. Take comprehensive photos and videos of the damage from multiple angles. Capture wide shots showing the overall extent of damage and close-ups of specific problem areas. If possible, take photos showing the damage in relation to identifiable features of your home.
3. Prevent Further Damage
Your homeowners insurance policy typically requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. This might include covering damaged areas with tarps, boarding up broken windows, or arranging temporary repairs. Keep all receipts—most insurance policies cover these emergency mitigation costs separately from your deductible.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
Report damage to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Most insurance policies require you to file a claim within a specific timeframe after discovering damage. When you contact your insurance company, you’ll receive a claim number and information about next steps.
5. Review Your Insurance Policy
Before meeting with your insurance adjuster, review your homeowners insurance policy carefully. Understand your coverage limits, deductibles (including any separate wind or hurricane deductibles), and any exclusions that might apply to your storm damage.
6. Meet with the Insurance Adjuster
Your insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to assess the damage to your property. The adjuster will inspect your home, document the damage, and determine what your insurance policy covers. Be present during this inspection if possible, and point out all damage you’ve discovered.
7. Obtain Contractor Estimates
Get detailed estimates from licensed, insured contractors who specialize in exterior repair. These estimates provide documentation of repair costs and help ensure the insurance company’s settlement is adequate to complete necessary repairs.
Working with Insurance Adjusters
The claims adjuster represents your insurance company’s interests, not yours. While most adjusters are professional and fair, understanding their role helps you protect your interests:
- They assess the damage based on your policy coverage and their company’s guidelines
- They determine what damage is covered under your homeowners policy and what may be excluded
- They calculate the cost to repair or replace damaged materials, which may differ from contractor estimates
- They may miss certain damage, especially hidden damage behind siding or soffits that isn’t immediately visible
Having your own documentation and professional contractor estimates ensures nothing is overlooked during the insurance claims process.
How Exterior Contractors Help With Insurance Claims
While contractors don’t file claims or negotiate directly with your insurance company on your behalf (only public insurance adjusters are licensed to do that), experienced exterior remodeling contractors play a valuable supporting role in the claim process.
Providing Professional Damage Assessment
After storm damage, it’s not always obvious what needs repair. A contractor with builder-level knowledge can identify:
- Obvious damage visible from ground level, such as torn siding, damaged gutters, or broken soffit and fascia
- Hidden damage that may not be immediately apparent, such as water intrusion behind damaged siding or compromised structural elements
- Secondary damage that resulted from the primary storm damage, such as moisture damage from missing gutters or damaged soffit
- Code compliance issues that may require upgrades when making repairs
This comprehensive assessment helps ensure you document any damage completely when you file your claim with your insurance company.
Creating Detailed Repair Estimates
Insurance adjusters need accurate repair estimates to process your claim. A professional contractor provides:
- Itemized estimates breaking down materials, labor, and related costs for each component of the repair
- Scope of work documentation explaining exactly what repairs are necessary to restore your home’s exterior
- Material specifications detailing the quality and type of materials needed for proper replacement that matches your existing exterior
- Code upgrade costs identifying any repairs that must be brought to current Florida building code standards
Having detailed estimates from a licensed contractor (like A&E Remodeling, holding Florida licenses CBC031923 and CGC1504594) adds credibility to your insurance claim and helps ensure your insurance company’s settlement is adequate.
Understanding Timeline and Process
Experienced contractors who regularly work on storm damage repairs understand the typical timeline:
- Emergency repairs to prevent further damage (often covered separately by insurance)
- Initial claim filing with your homeowners insurance company
- Insurance adjuster inspection to assess the damage
- Estimate review where the adjuster’s assessment is compared with contractor estimates
- Claim approval and settlement from your insurance provider
- Scheduling permanent repairs once insurance coverage is confirmed
- Final inspection and claim closeout
Understanding this process helps set realistic expectations and reduces frustration during what can be a lengthy claim process.
Choosing the Right Contractor for Storm Damage Repairs
After your insurance claim is approved, selecting the right contractor is crucial for quality repairs that protect your home long-term.
Verify Licensing and Insurance
This is non-negotiable in Florida. Any contractor you hire must have:
- A valid Florida contractor license (Building Contractor, General Contractor, or Residential Contractor license)
- Current general liability insurance to protect you if property damage occurs during work
- Workers’ compensation insurance to protect you from liability if workers are injured on your property
You can verify licenses through the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation. A&E Remodeling holds both Florida Certified Building Contractor license CBC031923 and Certified General Contractor license CGC1504594, ensuring we meet the highest professional standards.
Look for Florida-Specific Expertise
Florida’s climate and weather patterns create unique challenges for exterior remodeling:
- Hurricane-force winds require specific installation techniques for wind resistance
- High humidity demands materials and installation methods that prevent moisture damage
- Salt air in coastal areas causes corrosion issues with certain materials
- Intense UV exposure degrades some materials faster than in other climates
- Florida building codes have specific requirements for wind resistance and water management
Choose a contractor with proven experience addressing these Florida-specific challenges. At A&E Remodeling, we’ve spent over 25 years specializing in exterior solutions designed specifically for Florida homes.
Evaluate Communication and Transparency
During the stressful insurance claims process and repair period, you need a contractor who:
- Explains damage and necessary repairs clearly without industry jargon
- Provides detailed written estimates breaking down all costs
- Communicates openly about timelines, potential challenges, and any changes
- Responds promptly to questions and concerns
- Works collaboratively with you and, when appropriate, with your insurance company
Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and ensures your repairs meet your expectations.
Assess Material Quality and Options
Storm damage repairs are an opportunity to upgrade your home’s protection. Look for contractors who:
- Offer premium materials suited to Florida’s climate, such as James Hardie fiber cement siding, which resists wind, moisture, pests, and fire
- Explain material differences clearly, comparing options like vinyl siding vs. fiber cement
- Provide manufacturer warranties in addition to their own workmanship warranties
- Use proven installation techniques that maximize material performance and longevity
Review Local Reputation and References
Check the contractor’s local reputation through:
- Online reviews on Google, Better Business Bureau, and industry platforms
- References from recent customers, especially those with similar projects
- Project photos showing quality of completed work
- Years in business and stability in the local market
- Professional affiliations and certifications
A contractor with a strong local reputation has more incentive to deliver quality work and stand behind their installations.
Understand Warranties and Guarantees
Quality contractors stand behind their work with solid warranties:
- Workmanship warranties covering installation quality (A&E offers a lifetime workmanship warranty)
- Material warranties from manufacturers (James Hardie offers extensive product warranties)
- Clear warranty terms explaining what’s covered and for how long
- Local presence to honor warranties (avoid contractors from out of state who may not be available for warranty service)
Protecting Your Florida Home from Future Storm Damage
While insurance helps you recover from storm damage, prevention is always better than filing claims. Consider these protective measures:
Choose Durable, Weather-Resistant Materials
When making repairs or upgrades, select materials engineered for Florida’s challenging climate:
- James Hardie fiber cement siding resists wind (up to 150 mph when properly installed), moisture, pests, fire, and UV damage
- Impact-resistant gutters and proper gutter sizing (6″ or 7″) to handle Florida’s heavy rainfall
- Properly ventilated soffit and fascia systems that prevent moisture accumulation while protecting roof structures
- Hurricane-rated installation techniques that exceed minimum code requirements
Maintain Your Home’s Exterior Regularly
Preventive maintenance can minimize damage when severe weather strikes:
- Inspect regularly for signs of damage, loose components, or deterioration
- Clean gutters at least twice yearly to ensure proper water drainage
- Trim trees and vegetation away from your home to prevent impact damage
- Address minor issues before they become major problems
- Schedule professional inspections annually, especially before hurricane season
Document Your Home’s Condition
Make filing future insurance claims easier:
- Take photos of your home’s exterior from all angles annually
- Keep records of all repairs, upgrades, and maintenance
- Update your home inventory to include exterior improvements
- Store documentation safely (digital copies in cloud storage)
This documentation proves your home’s pre-storm condition if you need to file a claim after future storm damage.
Trust A&E Remodeling for Your Exterior Needs
When storm damage strikes your Florida home, you need more than just repairs—you need expertise, reliability, and a partner who understands both the insurance process and Florida’s unique challenges.
A&E Remodeling brings over 25 years of dedicated exterior remodeling experience to every project. As a fully licensed (Florida CBC031923 & CGC1504594) and insured contractor based right here in St. Petersburg, we’ve helped countless homeowners restore and protect their homes after storm damage.
Our specialized focus on exterior solutions means we bring builder-level knowledge to every damage assessment and repair. Whether you need siding replacement, soffit and fascia repair, or seamless gutter installation, we understand exactly what Florida homes need to withstand severe weather and our challenging climate.
We’re committed to transparent communication throughout the entire process—from initial damage assessment through final installation. We’ll work with you to document damage thoroughly, provide detailed estimates for your insurance needs, and ensure your home is restored to its full protective potential.
Ready to Discuss Your Storm Damage Repair Needs?
If you’re dealing with storm damage to your home’s exterior, don’t wait. The sooner you address damage and file your claim, the better protected your home will be from further issues.
Contact A&E Remodeling today at (727) 329-8107 or visit us at 447 3rd Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 to schedule a comprehensive assessment. We’ll help you understand the extent of the damage, provide the documentation you need for your insurance claim, and develop a plan to restore your home’s beauty and protection.
Let our 25+ years of Florida exterior expertise work for you. We’re here to help you navigate this challenging time with confidence and ensure your home is protected for years to come.