Will my premium go up if I file a claim?
Homeland Public Adjusters · Last reviewed: October 2026
Short answer: It can. Each insurer sets its own rating rules, and many give a claims-free discount that a paid claim can remove or add a surcharge for past claims. What the law limits is cancellation and nonrenewal: in Florida, claims caused by an act of God, like a hurricane, can't be used as the reason to cancel or nonrenew your policy, with one narrow exception.
Why the honest answer is “it can”
Your premium is set by your insurer's rating plan. Many plans reward a claims-free history with a discount, and some add a surcharge for recent claims. A paid claim can therefore cost you that discount or add a surcharge at renewal. How much depends on the insurer, the type of claim and how many claims you've had, not on a single statewide rule.
Premiums also rise for reasons that have nothing to do with you: reinsurance costs, storm seasons and an insurer's own losses. In Florida, your insurer must send you written notice of the renewal premium at least 45 days in advance (Fla. Stat. §627.4133(2)(a)), so you can compare before it renews.
What the law does protect
- Florida: claims on property policies that are the result of an act of God may not be used as a cause for cancellation or nonrenewal, unless the insurer can show you failed to take action it reasonably asked for to prevent the damage from happening again (Fla. Stat. §627.4133(3)).
- New Jersey: an insurer may not cancel or nonrenew a policy on an owner-occupied one-to-four family home solely because of weather-related claims, unless the claim shows an increase in hazard. Asking your insurer a question about your policy is not counted as a claim (N.J.A.C. 11:1-20.4(e)).
Not filing doesn't make the damage go away
The real question is usually whether the loss is big enough to be worth a claim. Hidden damage, like water inside walls or a roof that is leaking in more than one spot, is often larger than it looks. Unrepaired damage can also become a problem at your next inspection or when you sell. Before you decide, have the damage looked at by someone who works for you. Homeland will tell you honestly whether the damage looks larger than your deductible.
Frequently asked questions
Can my insurer raise my premium after a hurricane claim?
Does asking my insurer a question count as a claim?
Stay in the know. Get the free Adjuster Advantage app from Homeland Public Adjusters: Policy Scan, a hurricane tracker, home inventory and answers like this one when they matter.
This answer is general information only and is not legal or insurance advice. Statutes, regulations and policy wording change, and how they apply depends on your own policy and the facts of your claim. Homeland Public Adjusters is a public adjusting firm, not a law firm.
Call Homeland first. We represent policyholders, not insurers.
Get a Free Claim Review