Denied Without a Real Inspection? What the Insurer Has to Do
Homeland Public Adjusters · Last reviewed: October 2026
Short answer: More claims are now handled from photos, video calls and aerial images, sometimes called desk adjusting. That can be fine for a simple loss. When it leads to a denial or a tiny estimate, the rules on investigation and the evidence of what was never looked at become your strongest points.
What Florida requires
Under Fla. Stat. §627.70131, the insurer must begin its investigation within 7 days after receiving proof of loss (3)(a), and any physical inspection must take place within 30 days after proof of loss (3)(b). The statute does not require an in-person inspection on every claim, but it says the use of electronic methods does not stop an insurer from also sending an adjuster in person (3)(d). The adjuster must give you their name and state license number, and every later communication must include them (3)(b)–(c).
Florida’s unfair claim practices law lists, among practices that are violations when done as a general business practice, failing to adopt standards for the proper investigation of claims and denying claims without conducting reasonable investigations based upon available information (§626.9541(1)(i)).
What New Jersey requires
New Jersey insurers must begin investigating within 10 working days of notice of the claim (N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a)). An insurer cannot deny a claim for failure to exhibit the property without proof that it demanded to see it (N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.10(a)5). The state’s unfair claims law, N.J.S.A. 17:29B-4(9)(d), lists refusing to pay claims without conducting a reasonable investigation based upon all available information.
How to get the damage properly looked at
- Ask in writing for an in-person inspection of the specific areas that were not examined
- Send your own photos, video and moisture readings, labeled by room and date
- Ask for the adjuster log (Florida, §627.70131(4)) and a copy of the estimate
- Keep damaged materials, or photograph them clearly before removal, so they can still be inspected
Frequently asked questions
Does Florida law require an in-person inspection?
The adjuster only looked at photos I sent. Is that allowed?
Can the insurer deny because I fixed things before they came?
Who can inspect for me?
Call Homeland first. Before you answer the insurer, sign anything or accept a final number, call us 24/7 at (305) 783-3777 in Florida or (732) 517-3777 in New Jersey. We read the letter against your policy, document the loss and present the claim for you. Hablamos español.
This article is for 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.
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Yeni Martinez
Alberto Enriquez
Yisel DieguezHomeland Public Adjusters represents policyholders, not insurers. Get a free review of your claim.
Get a Free Claim ReviewIf you already have an open claim, see What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Property Damage, or visit our Denied and Underpaid Claims page.
