The short version
Under s. 627.70131, as amended by SB 2-A (2022), an insurer must review and acknowledge a claim communication within 7 business days and must pay or deny within 60 days of receiving notice, absent factors beyond its control. On the policyholder's side, a new or reopened claim must generally be reported within 1 year of the date of loss, a supplemental claim within 18 months, and a requested sworn proof of loss is typically due within 60 days of the insurer's request.
The five clocks
| Deadline | Who it binds, and from when |
|---|---|
| 7 business days — review and acknowledge a claim communication | The insurer, from receiving the communication |
| 60 days — pay or deny the claim, or a portion of it | The insurer, from receiving notice of the claim |
| 1 year — report a new or reopened claim | The policyholder, from the date of loss |
| 18 months — file a supplemental claim | The policyholder, from the date of loss |
| 60 days — return a signed, sworn proof of loss | The policyholder, from the insurer's request |
Two of these are 60 days and they are not the same clock. One runs against the insurer from notice of the claim; the other runs against the policyholder from the insurer's request for a proof of loss.
How long does an insurance company have to pay a claim in Florida?
Sixty days from receiving notice of the initial claim, to pay or deny it or a portion of it — unless prevented by factors beyond the insurer's control. Before that, a shorter clock already applies: the insurer must review and acknowledge communications about the claim within 7 business days of receiving them.
These numbers changed in 2022. The previous figures were 14 days to acknowledge and 90 days to pay or deny; SB 2-A shortened both. Older study guides, and a good deal of what is still published online, quote the pre-2022 numbers — if a source says 14 and 90, it is out of date.
These are not merely administrative. Failing to adopt reasonable standards for the prompt investigation of claims, and failing to act reasonably promptly on claim communications, are both enumerated as unfair claim settlement practices under s. 626.9541 — grounds for discipline.
The three deadlines that bind the policyholder
Florida's property insurance reforms shortened the reporting windows considerably, and the distinction between a reopened and a supplemental claim now carries six months of difference.
A sworn proof of loss is the insured's signed statement of the amount claimed, the cause of loss and the circumstances. It is a policy condition, not a formality: an insured who refuses to submit a requested proof of loss and will not sit for a properly requested examination under oath can have the claim denied for breach of the duties-after-loss conditions.
Duties after loss — the rest of the policyholder's side
The deadlines sit inside a broader set of policy conditions collectively called the duties after loss: give prompt notice, protect the property, cooperate with the investigation, and submit a proof of loss.
The duty to mitigate is the one with immediate financial consequences. An insured who does not tarp an opened roof, and lets rain keep entering, may find the additional resulting damage excluded or reduced — not because the original loss was not covered, but because the extra damage was avoidable.
Hurricane claims: the deductible clock
Hurricane deductibles on personal lines residential policies are expressed as a percentage of the Coverage A dwelling limit — typically 2%, 5% or 10% — rather than a flat dollar figure. And Florida law generally lets that hurricane deductible be applied only once per calendar year, however many hurricanes cause damage.
For a total loss of a building from a covered peril, a separate rule takes over entirely: see the Valued Policy Law.
When the parties still disagree
Statutory deadlines and property insurance reforms in Florida have changed repeatedly in recent years and apply differently depending on the policy and date of loss. This page explains the rules in general terms for 6-20 exam study; it is not legal advice. Verify current law and your own policy terms.
Why these numbers are worth memorizing
Florida Insurance Law (Chapter 626) & Valued Policy Law and The Claims & Adjusting Process are the two largest content areas on the Florida 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster Examination, at 14% each — more than a quarter of the exam between them. Deadline questions are pure recall, which cuts both ways: free points if you know them, guesses if you do not.
Deadlines are the cheapest points on the exam
FLAdjusterPrep drills all 10 content areas with 300 exam-style questions and a plain-English explanation on every answer — statutory clocks, duties after loss and settlement disputes included.