As public adjusters, we’ve seen firsthand how Florida homeowners insurance companies handle claims, especially in the aftermath of major disasters like Hurricanes Milton and Helene in 2024. With thousands of claims pouring in, some companies rose to the challenge, while others left policyholders feeling frustrated and abandoned.
Choosing the best homeowners insurance companies in Florida is crucial to ensure you’re properly protected during Florida’s hurricane season. Here, we share our recommendations based on how insurance companies handled claims during Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
Best Recommended Homeowners Insurance Companies in Florida for Us as Public Adjusters
These are the insurance companies we confidently recommend based on their responsiveness, fairness, and efficiency during the claim process.
1. Chubb Insurance
Why We Recommend It: Chubb stands out for its exceptional customer service and comprehensive coverage options. During Hurricanes Milton and Helene, we noticed that Chubb consistently prioritized its policyholders, processing claims quickly and offering fair settlements without excessive pushback.
Pros:
High claim approval rate.
Responsive adjusters.
Comprehensive policies with high limits.
Best For: Homeowners who value premium coverage and excellent customer service.
2. Tower Hill Insurance
Why We Recommend It: Tower Hill has built a strong reputation in Florida, and during Hurricanes Milton and Helene, they lived up to it. They processed claims in a timely manner and maintained clear communication throughout the process, reducing stress for homeowners.
Pros:
Competitive rates.
Great for hurricane-related claims.
Knowledgeable about Florida’s unique risks.
Best For: Mid-range homeowners seeking reliable coverage.
3. Farm Bureau Insurance
Why We Recommend It: Farm Bureau stood out during Hurricanes Milton and Helene for its personalized service. Policyholders appreciated the local touch and easy access to agents who genuinely cared about resolving their claims efficiently.
Pros:
Personalized customer service.
Fair settlements.
Agents who understand Florida-specific risks.
Best For: Homeowners who prefer a personal relationship with their insurance provider.
4. National Fire & Marine Insurance Company
Why We Recommend It: This company exceeded expectations by efficiently handling claims and avoiding unnecessary delays. They offered fair payouts and didn’t resort to the stall tactics we’ve seen from other insurers.
Pros:
Fast claim processing.
Transparent policies.
Minimal hassle for policyholders.
Best For: Homeowners seeking straightforward policies with reliable claims handling.
5. Progressive Insurance
Why We Recommend It: Though relatively newer to the homeowners insurance market, Progressive impressed us during the 2024 hurricane season. They were proactive and fair with claims, and feedback from policyholders has been positive so far.
Pros:
Affordable rates.
Straightforward claims process.
Great for tech-savvy homeowners who prefer online tools.
Best For: Budget-conscious homeowners looking for dependable coverage.
Decent (But Not Great) Homeowners Insurance Companies
These companies are okay choices. While they weren’t the worst, they fell short in areas like response time or policy clarity.
1. Universal Property & Casualty Insurance
Performance During Hurricanes Milton and Helene: Universal handled claims adequately but was slow to process many of them. Policyholders reported mixed experiences, with some receiving fair settlements and others facing delays or challenges.
Pros:
Widely available in Florida.
Decent policies for mid-range budgets.
Cons:
Inconsistent claim handling.
Slower response times.
2. American Integrity Insurance
Performance During Hurricanes Milton and Helene: American Integrity provided decent coverage but didn’t shine when it came to claims. While payouts were fair, many policyholders experienced delays and lack of communication.
Pros:
Affordable premiums.
Good hurricane coverage options.
Cons:
Claims process can be frustratingly slow.
Insurance Companies We Don’t Recommend
Based on our experience during Hurricanes Milton and Helene, we cannot recommend these companies due to poor claim handling, lack of communication, and unfair settlements.
1. Homeowners Choice Insurance
Why We Don’t Recommend It: Homeowners Choice consistently frustrated policyholders during the 2024 hurricane season. Claims were delayed, denied, or underpaid, leaving homeowners scrambling for repairs.
Cons:
Aggressive denial of claims.
Poor communication.
2. People’s Trust Insurance
Why We Don’t Recommend It: People’s Trust made the process unnecessarily difficult for policyholders, with frequent lowball offers and long wait times.
Cons:
Slow claims process.
Frequent underpayments.
3. Florida Peninsula Insurance
Why We Don’t Recommend It: While offering low premiums, Florida Peninsula fell short during hurricanes, often denying legitimate claims or dragging out the process unnecessarily.
Cons:
Poor claims handling.
Unclear communication with policyholders.
4. State Farm Insurance
Why We Don’t Recommend It: Despite being a well-known name, State Farm struggled to handle the volume of claims after Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Many policyholders reported denials or prolonged delays.
Cons:
Overwhelmed during disasters.
Denied legitimate claims frequently.
5. Allstate, Slide, and Kin
Why We Don’t Recommend Them: Both Allstate and Slide Insurance earned negative reviews from policyholders for underwhelming claim handling.
Cons:
Frequent claim denials.
Poor communication and transparency.
How to Choose the Right Insurance Company in Florida
Focus on Claims Reputation: A company’s ability to handle claims is one of the most important factors when choosing homeowners insurance.
Read Policy Details Carefully: Understand what’s covered (and what isn’t), including hurricane deductibles and exclusions for flood or sinkhole damage.
Consider Additional Policies: Many companies don’t include flood or sinkhole coverage in standard policies. Be prepared to purchase additional policies if necessary.
Work with a Public Adjuster: If you’re unsure about your current insurance provider or have issues with a claim, a public adjuster can help review your policy and negotiate for a fair payout.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right homeowners insurance company in Florida can make all the difference during hurricane season. Based on our experience as public adjusters during Hurricanes Milton and Helene, we highly recommend Chubb, Tower Hill, Farm Bureau, National Fire & Marine, and Progressive for their fair and efficient claim handling.
On the flip side, companies like Homeowners Choice, People’s Trust, Florida Peninsula, State Farm, Allstate, and Slide fell short and left policyholders frustrated.
If you’re dealing with a denied or underpaid claim, or simply want to ensure you have the best coverage for your home, contact Base Claims Public Adjusters today for a free consultation.
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Contact Base Claims today for a free consultation, and let us help you get your claim approved!
Don’t let your insurance company shortchange you. Contact Base Claims today for a free consultation and virtual damage evaluation. We’re here to help you navigate the process and fight back the right way.
Remember, when it comes to hurricane claims, the right public adjuster with a 5-star rating on Google and an A+ BBB rating like Base Claims can make all the difference!
Let's connect and see how we can help you navigate your claims effectively. Contact us today for a consultation regarding your New, Denied, or Underpaid Claim and maximize your compensation.
Benjamin Licht 954-589-8710
Office 954-466-5730
Don’t wait until it’s too late.
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