Stay safe
Stay away from downed power lines and standing water, which can hide debris or be electrified. Run generators outdoors only, well away from doors and windows, to avoid carbon monoxide. Wear gloves and sturdy shoes during cleanup.
Destin · Fort Walton Beach · Okaloosa Island · Okaloosa County
Isaias damage in Destin and Fort Walton Beach: next steps for condos, rentals, homes and businesses
Destin and Fort Walton Beach sit between the Gulf, Choctawhatchee Bay and Santa Rosa Sound, so storm damage here often mixes wind, wind-driven rain and rising water. If Isaias damaged your property in Okaloosa County, this page explains what to do first and how to build a claim file the insurer can't easily dismiss.
Many properties here are condos and vacation rentals, which means two or more policies, an association, and sometimes lost rental income. Getting the paperwork organized early saves time later.
We respond to requests you start, Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET.
Right after the storm
Safety first, then protect the property
Follow local officials
Return only when officials say your area is safe, and follow curfews, boil-water notices and road closures.
Stop further damage, and keep every receipt
Your policy generally expects you to take reasonable steps to protect the property: tarp roof openings, board broken windows, remove standing water and start drying. Keep receipts and photograph the work. Hold off on permanent repairs until the damage is documented, unless waiting is unsafe or would make the damage worse.
Document before you throw anything out
Photograph and video damaged flooring, drywall, furniture and belongings before they go to the curb. When practical, keep a small sample, such as a piece of carpet or flooring. If something must go right away for health reasons, photograph it first and write it down.
Specific to Destin and Fort Walton Beach
Follow Okaloosa County, Destin and Fort Walton Beach instructions
Bridges such as the Brooks Bridge and roads on Okaloosa Island and Holiday Isle may stay restricted after the storm. Wait for official reopening before going back to check on a unit.
If you manage a rental, pause and document before turning it over
Before cleaners or maintenance crews enter, photograph every room, balcony and common area. Keep the guest-cancellation and refund records for any affected dates.
Report building damage to the association in writing
If you own a condo unit, tell the association and the management company what you see in your unit, in writing, and ask for the master-policy claim number.
Your duties under the policy
- Give your insurer prompt notice of the loss, and write down the claim number, date and the name of everyone you speak with.
- Protect the property from further damage and keep records of what you spent.
- Make the damaged property available for inspection, and keep the damaged items you can until the insurer has seen them or says otherwise.
- Provide the records and documents the insurer reasonably requests, and a sworn proof of loss if your policy requires one.
Read the "Duties after loss" section of your policy, because the exact wording controls. In general, Florida law expects notice of a new or reopened property claim within one year of the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months. Don't wait: prompt notice is a policy duty.
Documentation
How to document the damage
Photos and video, date-stamped
Start outside: all four sides of the building, the roof as far as you can see safely from the ground, fences, screen enclosures and outbuildings. Then go room by room, wide shots first, then close-ups.
The roof and openings
Missing or lifted shingles, tiles or metal panels, damaged soffits, fascia and gutters, broken windows and doors, and any debris impacts.
Water lines and water entry
Photograph the highest water line on walls, cabinets, fences and the garage, and the stains on ceilings and walls. Note whether water came from above (roof, windows) or from rising water outside.
Contents list
List damaged belongings room by room: what it is, brand or model if known, about how old, and what it cost or would cost to replace. Receipts, bank statements and old photos help.
Repair and living-expense receipts
Keep receipts for tarps, fans, dehumidifiers, board-up, tree and debris removal. If you can't live at home, keep receipts for hotel, meals above your normal costs, and mileage. Additional living expense (loss of use) coverage depends on your policy.
Tips for Destin and Fort Walton Beach properties
- For condo units, photograph sliders, window frames, ceilings and walls on the side that faced the wind, and any water that came down from units above.
- For rentals, export the booking calendar and save cancellation emails for the affected dates.
- For businesses, photograph signs, storefront glass, rooftop equipment and damaged inventory before anything is thrown out.
- Keep receipts for drying equipment, tarps, board-up and emergency repairs, and for lodging if your home isn't livable.
Coverage basics
Wind vs. flood and storm surge
Wind and wind-driven rain
Homeowners, condo (HO-6) and commercial property policies generally cover wind damage, and rain that gets in through an opening the wind created, subject to your deductible, limits and exclusions.
Flood and storm surge
Most homeowners and condo policies exclude flood and storm surge. That water is generally covered only by a separate flood policy, such as an NFIP policy or a private flood policy.
When it's both
Many properties have both wind and water damage. If you have both policies, report the loss to both insurers, and document where water came in and how high it rose. That evidence is how the damage gets assigned to the right policy.
Flood insurance information from FEMA's FloodSmart ↗
A note on your deductible
Whether your hurricane deductible or your regular (all other perils) deductible applies depends on how Isaias was classified while it affected Florida, the timing of the hurricane watches and warnings, and your policy wording. Florida law defines when the hurricane deductible applies.
Don't assume the damage is below your deductible just because it looks small at first. Hidden roof damage, interior water and contents can add up.
Estimate your deductible with our hurricane deductible calculator →
Before you sign
Be careful what you sign
Read every contract first
Before signing with a contractor, roofer, water-mitigation company or public adjuster, read the scope, the price, the payment terms and how to cancel. Take a copy. Don't sign anything blank or rushed.
Assignment of benefits
An assignment of benefits (AOB) hands your insurance claim rights to someone else. For residential and commercial property policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, Florida law generally doesn't allow assigning post-loss benefits. If a document mentions assigning or directing your insurance payments, ask what it means before signing.
Deductible offers and door-to-door pressure
Be cautious of anyone who offers to waive or pay your deductible or offers gifts for filing a claim. Florida law prohibits contractors from making those offers. You can check a contractor's license at MyFloridaLicense.com and a public adjuster's license with the Florida Department of Financial Services.
Fees in writing
Public adjuster fees must be in a written contract. In Florida, for claims from a declared state of emergency, public adjuster fees are generally capped at 10% of claim payments during the first year after the declaration.
This is general information, not legal advice. Your policy and the facts of your loss control.
Okaloosa County
What's different about claims here
Water from more than one side
Harbor, bayfront and sound-side addresses can see water from a different direction than the Gulf front. Note where water entered and how high it reached, because flood and surge are usually covered by a separate flood policy.
Towers, HO-6 policies and assessments
In Destin and on Okaloosa Island, unit owners often face the master-policy deductible, a possible special assessment, and their own HO-6 claim at the same time. Your HO-6 policy may include loss-assessment coverage. Check the declarations page.
Coastal Construction Control Line
Gulf-front properties seaward of the state Coastal Construction Control Line generally need Florida DEP permits for many repairs, which can affect repair timelines and costs.
Businesses along US-98 and Miracle Strip Parkway
Shops, restaurants and offices may have business-income and spoilage coverage. Keep sales records, payroll and the dates you were closed.
Official local information
For closures, re-entry, shelters, debris pickup and permits, rely on your county and city.
Free claim review
Tell us what Isaias damaged
Start with your contact details and a short description. Photos are optional. Asking for a review doesn't hire the firm and costs nothing.
Prefer to talk? Call or text (239) 444-8101
We respond to requests you start, Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET.
About American Financial Claims
Armando Ferrer is individually licensed as a public adjuster in 15 states. American Financial Claims holds Florida firm license G288962. A public adjuster represents the policyholder, not the insurance company. Every claim depends on the policy and the facts, and no outcome is guaranteed.
Questions
Common questions after Isaias
My Destin condo rental lost bookings after Isaias. Is that covered?
Lost rental income is covered only if your policy includes it, often called fair rental value, loss of rents or a rental endorsement, and usually only when the loss comes from covered damage. Keep the booking calendar and cancellation records, and we can review what your forms say.
Water came in at my Fort Walton Beach home. Is it wind or flood?
It depends on how the water got in. Rain that came through an opening the wind created is generally handled under the property policy, while rising water from surge or flooding is generally a flood-policy claim. Photos of where the water entered and how high it rose help sort this out.
Should I call my insurance company first?
You should give your insurer prompt notice of the loss, as your policy requires. You can also talk with us before or after you report it, to organize photos, dates and policy questions. A free review doesn't obligate you to hire anyone.
Does the free claim review cost anything?
No. The initial conversation and review are free. If American Financial Claims represents your claim, the agreement and fees are explained in writing before you sign.
The insurer's adjuster already came out. Is it too late?
Not necessarily. You can still document damage you find later, and estimates or payments can be reviewed. Keep everything the insurer sends you, including the estimate and any letters.
General information for property owners after Isaias. Not legal advice, and not a promise of coverage or payment. Your policy and the facts of your loss control. American Financial Claims is not affiliated with any insurance company or government agency.