Claims Factbook : Florida
Florida Vehicle Claims.
We Handle Them.
Florida insurers underpay vehicle claims every day — diminished value, total loss, repair disputes. We take the assignment, invoke the appraisal clause, and recover what they owe you. Zero upfront cost.
- You assign the claim to us
- We take on every cost and risk to pursue it
- You owe us nothing — we pay you once we recover
Florida Legal Reference
Clock may already be running. Florida courts strictly enforce SOL deadlines. If the accident was more than a year ago, don’t assume you have time. Submit for a free review today.
Florida is one of the most active states in the country for auto insurance disputes. The state’s no-fault PIP system, combined with the 80% total loss threshold, means insurers here have specific incentives to minimize payouts — particularly on total loss valuations and diminished value claims. Florida courts have consistently recognized the appraisal clause as the correct mechanism for resolving these disputes. We use it.
Florida reduced its negligence-based statute of limitations to 2 years (HB 837, 2023). For vehicle damage claims rooted in the other driver’s negligence, that clock is likely already running. Do not wait. The difference between 4 years and 2 years is not obvious — submit your claim for a free review and we will confirm which deadline applies.
Three Florida Claim Types.
One Assignment Model.
All three follow the same model: you assign the claim to us, we fund 100% of the appraisal process, and you share in the recovery. Nothing out of pocket.
Diminished Value Claims
After a collision, your repaired vehicle carries a permanent accident history on its Carfax. Florida insurers owe you the difference between its pre-accident market value and what the market now offers — but they rarely volunteer the right number.
- Vehicle under 10 years old
- Pre-accident value above $7,000
- Repair costs exceeded $1,500
- Third-party carrier is at fault
- No release of liability signed
Total Loss Disputes
Florida’s 80% threshold means the insurer can total your vehicle even when it’s still drivable. Their ACV offer is almost always generated by automated tools with limited local market awareness. The number is wrong more often than not.
- Received a total loss offer you believe is low
- No final release has been signed
- Vehicle had low mileage, recent purchase, or documented upgrades
- Gap between offer and fair value is $500 or more
Repair Estimate Underpayment
Florida body shops deal with insurer labor rate caps and rejected supplement line items on nearly every job. The appraisal clause applies to repair cost disputes too — not just vehicle value. We can invoke it on underpaid estimates.
- Assign the disputed supplement amount to us
- We retain and fund the independent appraiser
- Recovery shared upon settlement
- Per-claim or referral arrangement available
First-Party Appraisal Clause
If your own insurer — not a third party — is disputing a total loss value or repair cost, the appraisal clause in your Florida policy still applies. Uninsured motorist claims, comprehensive claims, and first-party disputes all qualify if the policy contains the clause.
- At-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured
- Own insurer’s offer is substantially below fair value
- Policy contains an appraisal clause (most Florida policies do)
- No final release executed
What Florida Law
Actually Says
Florida Totals More Cars Than Most States
Florida uses an 80% total loss threshold — one of the stricter standards in the country. If the cost of repairs equals or exceeds 80% of your vehicle’s pre-accident actual cash value, the insurer can declare it a total loss. That threshold applies whether or not the car is actually drivable. A $20,000 vehicle can be totaled on an $16,000 repair estimate — and the $20,000 ACV figure the insurer uses is almost always the number worth fighting.
Florida Has Three Different Deadlines. Know Which One Applies.
Florida’s 2023 tort reform (HB 837) reduced the negligence statute to 2 years. Most vehicle damage claims from third-party accidents now face that shorter deadline. Insurance contract disputes (breach of contract against your own insurer) still carry 5 years. General property damage actions carry 4 years. If you’re unsure which applies, that alone is reason to get a free review before assuming you have time.
| Claim Type | Deadline | Applicable Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle damage from third-party accident (negligence) | 2 Years | § 95.11(5)(a) | Updated 2023 (HB 837). Safe assumption for all negligence-based claims. |
| General property damage (non-negligence) | 4 Years | § 95.11(3) | Broad catch-all. Applies when no specific shorter deadline governs. |
| Insurance contract dispute (breach of contract) | 5 Years | § 95.11(2) | Applies to disputes against your own insurer. Not a free pass — start early. |
| Hurricane / windstorm claims (notice requirement) | 1 Year | § 627.70132 | Notice to insurer required within 1 year of storm landfall. Short window. |
If you accepted the insurer’s offer but have not signed a final release of liability, your claim may still be assignable. Florida courts do not treat a bare settlement check as a release. Get a review before assuming the window is closed.
Five Steps From
Dead Claim to Recovery
Straightforward Florida claims typically resolve within two to four weeks of the appraisal clause being invoked.
Does Your Florida
Claim Qualify?
We review every claim for free within 24 hours. Here’s a quick self-check before you reach out.
- ✓Vehicle under 10 years old
- ✓Pre-accident value above $7,000
- ✓Repair costs exceeded $1,500
- ✓Third-party carrier is at fault
- ✓No release of liability signed
- ✓Within 2–4 years of accident (know your specific SOL)
- ✓Received a total loss offer you believe is understated
- ✓No final release has been signed
- ✓Vehicle had documented upgrades, low mileage, or recent purchase above offer
- ✓Gap between offer and fair value is $500 or more
You already accepted payment but haven’t signed a release. The insurer told you the claim is closed. You were told diminished value isn’t covered. Months have passed. A free review costs nothing and leaves you with more information than you have now.
We Don’t Represent You.
We Replace You.
This is not negotiation help. We purchase the claim through a formal assignment, step into your legal shoes as the rightful claimant, and bear every cost. The insurer now deals with a professional who knows their playbook.
Common Questions
from Florida Claimants
Your Florida Claim.
Our Fight. No Cost to You.
Florida’s 2-year negligence deadline is already running. Insurers count on delay. Find out today whether we can help — free review in under 24 hours.
Free review · Response within 24 hours · No upfront cost · All 67 Florida Counties