Guide to American Integrity Claim Denials – St. Petersburg, FL

Introduction: Why St. Petersburg Homeowners Are Reading This

From Shore Acres to Childs Park, St. Petersburg, Florida homeowners know that living on the Pinellas County peninsula means enjoying sunshine—and confronting serious weather risks. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Tampa Bay region, including St. Petersburg, faces some of the highest exposure to storm surge in the United States. Because of this elevated risk, many residents turn to American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida (often simply called “American Integrity”) for homeowners coverage. Unfortunately, policyholders sometimes discover that their insurer denies, delays, or underpays claims—especially after tropical storms, plumbing leaks, or wind-driven roof damage.

This comprehensive legal guide focuses on a critical question: What should a St. Petersburg homeowner do when American Integrity denies a claim? The information below explains your rights under Florida insurance law, the common reasons claims are rejected, and the concrete steps you can take—up to and including filing a civil remedy notice and hiring a Florida attorney—to pursue the benefits you paid for. While slightly favoring the policyholder perspective, every statement is grounded in authoritative sources such as the Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, and official Department of Financial Services (DFS) materials. Our goal is to empower you to move quickly and decisively after a denial.

Understanding Your Rights in Florida

Key Florida Statutes Protecting Policyholders

• Fla. Stat. § 627.70131 – Requires an insurer to acknowledge and begin investigating a property claim within 14 days, and to pay or deny the claim (in whole or in part) within 90 days unless circumstances beyond the insurer’s control reasonably prevent it.

• Fla. Stat. § 624.155 – Authorizes policyholders to file a Civil Remedy Notice (CRN) for an insurer’s bad-faith failure to settle claims in good faith, opening the door to extra-contractual damages if the insurer does not cure its violations within 60 days.

• Fla. Stat. § 626.9541(1)(i) – Lists unfair claim settlement practices, including misrepresenting policy provisions, failing to promptly communicate, and denying claims without a reasonable investigation.

When American Integrity denies a claim, you have the right to:

• Receive a specific written explanation of every coverage exclusion or limitation relied on (§ 626.9541(1)(i)3.f).

• Inspect the insurer’s claim file after litigation is filed to evaluate whether the investigation was reasonable (Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 1.280).

File a complaint with the Florida Department of Financial Services Consumer Services Division.

• Submit a Civil Remedy Notice under § 624.155 to preserve a potential bad-faith action.

Statute of Limitations

For breach-of-contract lawsuits on a homeowners policy, Florida provides a five-year statute of limitations under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(2)(b). However, hurricane and windstorm claims must be reported to the insurer within one year of the date of loss (Fla. Stat. § 627.70132). Failure to meet these time frames can bar recovery, so act promptly.

The "Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights"

Florida’s legislature enacted the Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights (codified in § 627.7142) to require insurers to send policyholders a plain-language summary of their rights after a residential property loss. You should receive this document within 14 days of notifying American Integrity of a claim.

Common Reasons American Integrity Denies Claims

1. Alleged Failure to Maintain the Property

Insurers frequently assert that roof leaks or plumbing failures stem from wear, tear, or “lack of maintenance”—excluded causes under most policies. In St. Petersburg’s humid, salt-air environment, metal components corrode faster, giving insurers an excuse to deny. However, Fla. Stat. § 626.9744 requires that insurers apply “matching” standards, meaning if the roof’s damaged portion cannot be reasonably matched, the entire roof may be covered.

2. Late Notice of the Claim

American Integrity often argues that you waited too long to report a loss, prejudicing its investigation. Yet under Fla. Stat. § 627.70132, you have up to one year for hurricane claims and three years for non-hurricane losses to report, so denials for shorter delays may be contestable.

3. Water Damage Exclusions and Sub-Limits

Water losses caused by “continuous or repeated seepage” exceeding 14 days are excluded under many forms. American Integrity may cite policy form AIIC HO3 11/15, which contains a $10,000 sub-limit on water damage if you decline optional coverage. Understanding your exact policy endorsements is critical.

4. Alleged Fraud or Misrepresentation

If the insurer believes estimates are inflated or contents logs are inaccurate, it may deny for “material misrepresentation.” However, under Fla. Stat. § 627.409, the insurer must show the misstatement was intentional and increased its risk.

5. Disputes over Cause of Loss

In wind-versus-wear disputes, insurers rely heavily on engineering reports. Yet Florida case law (e.g., Johnson v. Omega Ins. Co., 200 So. 3d 1207, Fla. 2016) requires insurers to pay the portion of a loss caused by a covered peril, even if uncovered perils contributed.

Florida Legal Protections & Regulations

Prompt Pay Requirements

Under § 627.70131(5)(a), American Integrity must pay undisputed amounts within 90 days of receiving a sworn proof of loss and report. If it fails, you may be entitled to statutory interest, calculated under Fla. Stat. § 55.03.

Civil Remedy Notice (CRN) Process

• File Online: The CRN is filed through the DFS Civil Remedy System, citing specific statute violations.

• Cure Period: American Integrity has 60 days to “cure”—i.e., pay the claim or otherwise resolve the issues.

• Bad-Faith Suit: If it fails to cure within 60 days, you can bring a lawsuit seeking extra-contractual damages, including consequential damages and attorney’s fees under § 624.155.

Appraisal Clause

Most American Integrity policies contain an appraisal provision allowing either side to invoke a binding valuation process for disputes over amount of loss (not coverage). Florida courts, including the Second District Court of Appeal in People’s Tr. Ins. Co. v. Nowroozpour, 277 So. 3d 135 (Fla. 2d DCA 2019), enforce appraisal clauses strictly, so timely invocation can resolve valuation disputes quickly.

Attorney’s Fees & Fee Shifting

Under Fla. Stat. § 627.428, if you obtain any judgment or confession of judgment (payment) from the insurer after filing suit, American Integrity must pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. That is a powerful incentive for insurers to resolve disputes pre-litigation.

Steps to Take After a Denial

1. Review the Denial Letter Thoroughly

Florida law requires the denial to cite policy language. Compare each citation to your actual policy forms and endorsements. Many St. Petersburg homeowners keep only the declarations page; request the full certified policy if you do not have it.

2. Collect Independent Evidence

• Photos & Videos: Document damage before repairs.

• Expert Reports: Hire a licensed Florida contractor, engineer, or public adjuster for an independent opinion.

• Repair Invoices: Keep receipts; you may recover these costs.

3. File a Notice of Intent under SB 76

Effective 2021, Fla. Stat. § 627.70152 requires policyholders to provide a 10-day pre-suit notice (with a detailed estimate) before filing most residential property lawsuits. Failure to comply can result in dismissal.

4. Explore Appraisal or Mediation

The DFS offers a free state-run mediation program for certain property insurance disputes. If coverage is admitted but the amount is disputed—and both sides consent—mediation can produce a settlement within 60 days.

5. Submit a Civil Remedy Notice

If American Integrity’s conduct appears to violate §§ 624.155 or 626.9541, file a CRN to preserve bad-faith claims. Attach copies of expert reports and correspondence to build your record.

6. File Suit Before the Deadline

If talks fail, consult a Florida attorney quickly. The five-year limitation period (§ 95.11) seems generous, but evidence deteriorates fast in St. Petersburg’s humid climate, and new statutes such as SB 2-D (2022) impose earlier limits for certain roof claims.

Discover more about our services on the Louis Law Group website.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

Indicators You Need an Attorney

• Denial letter cites “wear and tear,” “maintenance,” or “pre-existing damage” without photos or clear evidence.

• American Integrity requests an Examination Under Oath (EUO) and extensive financial documents.

• Multiple adjusters cycle through your claim with conflicting explanations.

• The insurer offers to settle for less than half of your contractor’s estimate.

A licensed Florida attorney can:

• Draft the Notice of Intent under § 627.70152 and any CRN under § 624.155.

• Gather deposition testimony from American Integrity adjusters.

• Leverage § 627.428 for fee recovery, aligning legal costs with the insurer rather than you.

How Attorney Fees Work

Most St. Petersburg property-damage lawyers work on contingency (no fee unless recovery). Florida’s one-way fee statute (§ 627.428) and recent reforms—though trimmed—still allow fee awards when the insurer pays any portion post-suit, making litigation economically feasible for homeowners.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Government & Consumer Agencies

Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) – Market conduct examinations and insurer financials.

Florida DFS Consumer Services – File complaints, request mediation.

Pinellas County Property Appraiser – Obtain property records, useful for proving square footage and roof age.

St. Petersburg-Specific Considerations

Roofing codes in St. Petersburg follow the Florida Building Code 7th Edition, requiring secondary water barriers and enhanced nailing patterns. If your roof was installed after March 2021, code upgrade coverage may oblige American Integrity to pay full replacement even if only part is damaged. Keep permit records from the City of St. Petersburg’s online portal to prove compliance.

Checklist Before Calling an Attorney

• Gather denial letter and entire policy package.

• Secure at least one independent damage estimate.

• Download your claim file from American Integrity’s portal if available.

• Request a DFS mediation conference date (optional).

• Prepare a timeline of every communication with the insurer.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Homeowners should consult a licensed Florida attorney regarding their specific situation.

If American Integrity denied your claim, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and policy review.