Florida business owners have to protect themselves from potential losses just as homeowners do. Commercial insurance is designed to offer that protection in several forms.

It can cover theft, vandalism, storm damage and natural disasters, and other business losses or catastrophic events. It can also cover liability and litigation costs related to business lawsuits, among other coverage. 

Having the right insurance depends on what your business needs. That’s why it’s important to work with someone who understands Florida commercial insurance. They can help you get set up with a policy that covers all of your essential needs and more, so no matter what happens, your business is safe. 

Here’s what you need to know if you are going to file a commercial insurance claim in Florida. 

Florida Commercial Insurance Claims: At a Glance 

We’ll cover all the points below in more detail throughout this article, but here’s a quick look at what you need to know about commercial insurance claims:

• In Florida, commercial claims are limited to a four-year window from the date of the incident. You need to file as soon as possible to ensure you meet the timeline requirements. 
• The more documentation you have, the easier it will be to process your claim and get the compensation that you deserve. 
• If a claim is denied, you can appeal that decision and start a dispute within 30 days of that denial. 
• It’s often a good idea to enlist the help of a public insurance adjuster to guarantee that you get the settlement you deserve and that your claim is handled in a timely manner. 

Know Your Policy 

By far, the best advice that we can give anyone when it comes to dealing with insurance claims, including commercial insurance claims, is to know the coverage that you have. Your business insurance policy is probably a complex group of documents that cover all manner of potential incidents and events. You may have had a great understanding of what it was when you first purchased it, but now that time has passed, the details and dollar signs are all a jumble in your brain. 

Take a minute to go back and read through your policy. Look specifically at things like:

• Covered events
• Coverage limits
• Deductibles 
• What’s required for claims processing
• Exclusions and policy riders (these can impact claims)

That way, no matter what the insurance company decides, you will know what you deserve and what your policy covers so that you can negotiate accordingly. You can also talk to a public insurance adjuster about what your policy covers and any limits you may encounter. 

Always Negotiate 

Speaking of negotiations, you should always engage in them. The insurance company is going to process your claim and figure out the exact lowest amount they can get away with offering you so that they can settle the claim and call it a day. It’s their job to protect their bottom line first and they often hope that the insured customers won’t know any better or just won’t bother to argue. 

You need to argue. If you can’t do it for yourself, get help. A public insurance adjuster can review your claim and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf to guarantee that you get the compensation you are owed for whatever commercial insurance claims you’ve filed. 

The Commercial Insurance Claims Process in Florida: Steps and Tips 

Filing a commercial insurance claim in Florida starts by notifying the insurance company (and the authorities, if required) of the event or claim. For example, if your business suffered hurricane damage, you will want to notify the insurance company as soon as the storm passes and you survey the damage. If there was a fire, call 911 right away and then report the claim to your insurer once the fire is out and the smoke has cleared. 

If the police or other authorities need to be involved, get them involved from the beginning. Document everything and be extra cautious. It’s better to ask for help and not need it than to find out later that you should have done this or that. 

What to Include in Your Claim 

When you file your claim, there is certain information that you will need to provide for the insurance company. This includes:

• The date and time of the event 
• The loss(es) that occurred 
• Photos or documentation of damages, injuries, etc. 
• Witness statements or video evidence 
• Police reports, fire investigation reports, etc. 

Make sure that you provide as much documentation and information as you can to guarantee that the insurance company has everything that they need to make an educated decision about your claim and its approval. This will also ensure that if they attempt to lowball you or deny your claim, you’ll have the proof you need to fight back. 

For extra peace of mind, have a public insurance adjuster review your claim and explain what you can expect, as well as what you deserve in terms of a settlement. 

The Investigation Process 

Once you file your claim, the insurance company will start the investigation process. This is where the insurer will act in good faith to take the “reasonable steps” to ensure claims are properly evaluated. That can include interviewing people involved, gathering evidence, and obtaining necessary records from medical and legal sources. 

They must also communicate with you during this process, so be sure to check in and see how things are going. If the insurance company doesn’t reach out and provide you with regular status updates, you might want to start reaching out to them instead. If you can’t get answers, hire a public insurance adjuster to work on your behalf and get the process moving. 

Step-by-Step Commercial Insurance Claims Process 

• Step One: Report the claim immediately. 
• Step Two: Document all the losses with video, pictures, and written statements. 
• Step Three: Protect against further damage or loss (temporary repairs, etc.).
• Step Four: Work with the adjuster to review the damage. 
• Step Five: Get estimates for repairs if necessary. 
• Step Six: Settle the claim and restore your business. 

What to Do if There’s a Dispute

In some cases, the insurance company will come up with a settlement offer that doesn’t cover enough of the damages, or that isn’t quite fair. In fact, most first offers will be just that– offers that you can refuse if you’d like. Insurance companies want to get the best settlement for their bottom line and hope that you’ll take the offer they give. However, you don’t have to, and you shouldn’t take the first offer in most cases, either. 

If the insurance company makes you an offer that is too low for your commercial insurance claim, you should negotiate for something higher. It helps if you understand your coverage and have estimates for the damage repairs or property replacements that need to happen after the claim is settled. 

It may also be in your best interest to have a public insurance adjuster on your side. They can help you understand the commercial insurance claims process, what you are owed, and more. Plus, they will work on your behalf to get a fair settlement for your commercial insurance claim and make sure that the insurance company isn’t trying to take advantage of your lack of expertise or knowledge. 

Contact On Target Claims for Support with Your Commercial Insurance Claim in Florida

At On Target Claims, our public insurance adjusters have years of experience in helping businesses just like yours get the outcome they deserve from their insurance claims. In the state of Florida, thousands of businesses file insurance claims every year, for any number of reasons:

• Fire 
• Hurricane damage
• Theft and vandalism
• Breaking and entering
• Product liability claims
• Other property damage
• Etc. 

No matter the cause of the claim or the damage sustained, your business deserves to be properly compensated. With the team from On Target Claims on your side, it will be easy to trust that you’re getting the compensation that you deserve. 

On Target Claims can advise you on how to navigate the commercial insurance claims process, what to expect from the insurance company, and more. Reach out today to discuss your claim and find out how we can help!

FAQs

How long do commercial insurance claims take in Florida?

Florida commercial insurance claims could take anywhere from a month or two to years, in some cases, for complex claims or lawsuits. The better prepared you are, the more likely you will have an expedient claims process. 

What isn’t covered by commercial insurance in Florida?

This depends on your policy and the type of coverage that you purchase. Typically, commercial insurance can cover negligence, deliberate damage and loss, liability issues, and all types of events. Make sure that you get a comprehensive policy that includes all the coverage your business needs. 

What is a public insurance adjuster?

Florida public insurance adjusters are independent experts who understand the insurance industry inside and out. We work on your behalf to fight back against insurance companies that offer lowball settlements or try to drag out the claims process to work things in their favor. Plus, we can help you better understand your insurance policy, the claims process, and other details. 

What should I do if my commercial insurance claim is denied?

There are several reasons a claim may be denied, but many get refused due to a lack of proper filing. If you do get a denial on a commercial insurance claim, you should reach out to a public insurance adjuster who can review your claim and help you move forward to get the compensation that you deserve. 

Related Content: Does Homeowner’s Insurance Pay for Mold Removal in Florida?