To protect homeowners and promote a fair and efficient insurance claims process, the Florida Legislature enacted Senate Bill 2A, which significantly amended Florida Senate Bill 2A and revised Section 627.70131. These changes strengthen Florida’s prompt pay laws by imposing stricter deadlines on insurers and providing greater transparency for policyholders during the claims process.
Under the amended statute, insurers must acknowledge a claim or respond to communications from a policyholder within seven days, reduced from the prior fourteen-day requirement. This shorter timeframe ensures more responsive communication and helps move claims forward without unnecessary delay. Insurers are also required to provide policyholders with a copy of the adjuster’s report estimating the loss within seven days of its creation, giving homeowners the opportunity to review the basis for the insurer’s evaluation and encouraging greater transparency.
The law further accelerates the investigation process. Insurers must begin investigating a claim within seven days after receiving a proof-of-loss statement, rather than fourteen days as previously required. Physical inspections must now be completed within thirty days, down from forty-five days. These deadlines are designed to ensure that claims are assessed promptly and that policyholders receive timely determinations regarding their losses.
In addition, the timeframe for paying or denying a claim has been shortened from ninety days to sixty days. However, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation may grant an extension of up to thirty additional days when factors beyond the insurer’s control prevent timely resolution. This provision balances the need for prompt payment with the recognition that exceptional circumstances can arise.
The amended statute also allows insurers to use electronic methods, including photographs, video recordings, and drones, to investigate property damage claims. By permitting modern technology in the investigative process, the law promotes efficiency and can reduce delays associated with scheduling in-person inspections.
Finally, insurers are required to maintain detailed records of all claim-related communications, proof-of-loss statements, inspection reports, information requests, and other relevant documentation. This record-keeping requirement promotes accountability and ensures a clear paper trail throughout the claims process.
The amendments strengthen consumer protections by improving communication, expediting investigations and payments, and increasing transparency. As a result, Florida homeowners can expect a more structured and responsive process when filing property insurance claims.