General Reference
Hurricane Insurance Claim Deadline Reference — Alabama & Florida
Notice, response, and suit deadlines for property-insurance claims
This page summarizes the general deadlines for hurricane and named-storm property-insurance claims in Alabama and Florida. It is provided as a general reference for educational purposes and is not a substitute for an attorney's review of any specific claim. Actual deadlines applicable to a particular claim depend on the policy's specific terms (notice provisions, suit-against-insurer clauses, contractually shortened limitations periods), the date of loss, the nature of the claim (new vs. supplemental vs. reopened), and other facts not addressed here. Do not rely on this page to decide whether or when to give notice, submit proof of loss, or file suit. Talk to a lawyer.
Alabama
| Matter | Period | Triggered by | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notice of claim to insurer Alabama policies may not have statutory deadlines; the policy's contractual notice provision controls. | As soon as practicable (policy-dependent) | after discovery of loss | Policy 'duty after loss' / 'prompt notice' clause |
| Proof of loss submission | Typically 60 days (policy-dependent) | from carrier's request | Policy 'sworn proof of loss' clause |
| Suit against insurer Read the policy's 'suit against insurer' / 'limitation of action' clause for the exact deadline. | Contractual; AL permits as short as 1 year | policy-dependent | Policy 'suit against insurer' clause |
| First-party bad-faith claim | 2 years | from accrual | Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l) |
Florida
| Matter | Period | Triggered by | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notice of NEW claim under SB 2A SB 2A (December 2022); reduced from 2 years previously. | 1 year | from date of loss | Fla. Stat. § 627.70132 |
| Notice of SUPPLEMENTAL / REOPENED claim | 18 months | from date of loss | Fla. Stat. § 627.70132 |
| Insurer response window (acknowledge claim) | 14 days | from receipt of notice | Fla. Stat. § 627.70131(1)(a) |
| Insurer response window (pay or deny) | 60 days | from receipt of complete proof | Fla. Stat. § 627.70131(7)(a) |
| Civil-remedy notice (CRN) — bad faith prerequisite | Required + 60-day cure window | before filing bad-faith suit | Fla. Stat. § 624.155(3) |
| Suit on policy (breach of contract) | 5 years | from date of loss | Fla. Stat. § 95.11(2)(e) |
About this reference
- Does SB 2A apply to my Alabama hurricane claim?
No. Florida SB 2A (Fla. Stat. § 627.70132) applies to Florida-issued policies and Florida property losses. Alabama property claims are governed by the policy's contractual provisions and Alabama statutory law; contractually shortened limitations periods of as little as one year are permitted in Alabama and should be checked carefully. - What is a civil-remedy notice (CRN)?
Florida's Fla. Stat. § 624.155 requires an insured to file a Civil Remedy Notice with the Department of Financial Services and the insurer before bringing a first-party bad-faith suit. The carrier has 60 days to cure the alleged bad-faith conduct; payment of the claim during the cure window typically defeats the statutory bad-faith claim. - Is this legal advice?
No. This is a general reference for educational purposes only. It does not establish an attorney-client relationship and is not a substitute for personalized legal counsel.
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