Hurricane and storm roof damage
Updated 2026-11-02
After a storm, get the roof tarped to stop water getting in (no permit needed), document everything, and report the claim quickly, because Florida's 2022 reforms set a 1-year deadline to report new or reopened claims on covered policies (SB 2-A summary).
What should you do after the storm passes?
- Stay off the roof and away from downed lines
- Have a licensed roofer tarp damaged areas and keep the receipt
- Photograph the roof, debris, ceilings and anything water reached
- Report the claim to your insurer and ask a licensed roofer to inspect
- Before permanent repairs, confirm a City permit is pulled; the City has a post-storm permitting guide (City of Port St. Lucie)
What should you watch out for?
- Roofers asking you to sign an assignment of benefits (banned for policies issued from 2023)
- Unlicensed contractors: check on MyFloridaLicense.com
- Large cash deposits before any permit or materials