What Is the Statute of Limitations for Property Insurance Claim Lawsuits in Fort Lauderdale?
When it comes to denied property insurance claims in Fort Lauderdale, the statute of limitations may be more important than you realize. This could be a particularly major issue if your insurer engages in stalling tactics after you file your claim. How can you push back against this misconduct? What happens if the statute of limitations expires? You can ask these questions during your first consultation with a property insurance lawyer.
The Statute of Limitations Is a Legal Time Limit
The statute of limitations is like a legal time limit. If the statute of limitations expires, legal action is no longer possible. There are different statutes of limitations for different types of court cases, including criminal cases and civil cases. Generally speaking, the statute of limitations for cases involving denied insurance claims is just two years. Note that in this situation, the two-year time limit begins from the “date of loss.” For example, if a hurricane struck your home, you would begin the two-year period from the date of that damage.
There are slightly different statutes of limitations for specific insurance-related claims. For example, the statute of limitations for breach of contract could be as long as five years. You might want to contact your lawyer to determine how much time you have. That said, it always makes sense to move as quickly as possible. You should also notify your insurer of the damage as soon as you become aware of it. You may only have one year to do this.
What if the Insurer Is Intentionally Stalling?
When the insurer intentionally stalls the claims process, they may be trying to “run out the clock.” If they delay long enough, the statute of limitations may expire. This would make a lawsuit impossible, thereby allowing them to simply walk away without paying the claim. Not all insurers engage in this type of misconduct, but it is certainly possible.
On April 1st, 2026, Law 360 reported on a case involving these kinds of allegations. The case stems from damage to a condo building caused by Hurricane Irma. Although a trial court initially rejected allegations that the insurer had intentionally stalled when handling the insurance claim, the appellate court decided to revive the case and reexamine the situation. The condo association claims that their insurer delayed the claim specifically to “skirt the statute of limitations.” This not only shows that these allegations are common, but also that Florida courts take them seriously.
Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Property Insurance Lawyers Today
At Fuxa & Tyler, our legal team is made up of a diverse combination of attorneys who are well-positioned to protect the legal rights and financial interests of policyholders. If your property insurance claim was denied, we can help. For a free consultation, please call us today at (954) 990-5251. With an office in Sunrise, we represent policyholders in Broward County and throughout the state of Florida.
Source:
law360.com/articles/2460692/fla-panel-revives-hurricane-damage-suit-against-insurer