TL;DR: A Florida homeowner lost their entire claim due to relying on an expired builder’s risk policy. Learn why these policies expire quickly, how to avoid this mistake, and why a free review from Panther Public Adjusting could save you thousands. Don’t get caught with the wrong coverage—especially if you’re renovating, renting, or building in cities like Miami, Tampa, or Orlando.
Introduction: When the Wrong Policy Destroys the Right Intentions
In Florida, homeowners are no strangers to unpredictable weather, high-value renovations, and shifting property uses. Whether you’re building your dream home in Sarasota, investing in Tampa, or renovating an income property in Jacksonville, having the right insurance policy isn’t just a smart move—it’s essential.
This real-life cautionary tale reveals the shocking mistake one homeowner made by relying on a builder’s risk policy well after construction was complete. Their decision cost them tens of thousands of dollars—despite having insurance. It’s a story that every Florida property owner needs to hear, especially if you’re building, flipping, or renting real estate in cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Orlando.
And most importantly, it’s a wake-up call to have your policy reviewed by experts like Panther Public Adjusting before it’s too late.
Builder’s Risk: A Powerful Yet Temporary Protection
Builder’s risk insurance is specifically designed for properties under construction or major renovation. It fills a critical gap when traditional homeowners policies won’t apply because of the risks associated with vacant or gutted properties.
But here’s the key: it’s only meant to be temporary.
“This type of policy is incredibly useful during active construction, but the moment the work is done or the home is occupied, the policy likely becomes void.”
In this real case, the homeowner in question completed a full renovation. Six months after the work was done, they had already rented out the property in Fort Myers. Then disaster struck.
The Shocking Truth: No Coverage When It Mattered Most
After the damage occurred, the homeowner filed a claim and brought in Panther Public Adjusting to help document and fight for their payout.
Our team went to work: we scoped the damage, prepared a professional estimate, and met with the insurance company’s adjuster.
But then the insurer discovered the devastating detail: the property had been rented out for months, and construction was long finished. According to the builder’s risk policy language:
- The policy expires 90 days after construction ends, or
- The moment the property is occupied or rented
Either one would void the policy. This situation had both.
The result? The insurance company denied the claim in full.
Why Policy Reviews Are Non-Negotiable
This case proves how a small oversight can have massive financial consequences. If this homeowner had reviewed their policy—or transitioned to a different one in time—they might have been fully protected.
At Panther Public Adjusting, we offer free policy reviews to ensure our clients are never caught off guard. Whether you’re located in Kissimmee, Hollywood, or Clearwater, our experts will ensure you’re properly covered.
📋 Don’t wait until it’s too late.
- Email your policy to Claims@PantherPA.com for a complimentary review
- Or call us now at 833-726-8437
- Or contact us through our website at pantherpa.com/#contact
How to Tell If You Need a Different Policy
Ask yourself these critical questions:
- Has construction recently ended on your property?
- Is the property now rented or occupied?
- Did you switch from builder’s risk to a landlord or homeowner policy?
If the answer to any of these is unclear, you need to review your coverage immediately.
In cities like Saint Petersburg, Ruskin, and Gainesville, we often see investors and homeowners renovating homes and renting them out—making the switch from builder’s risk to dwelling or landlord insurance is crucial.
Explore how we helped one client turn a small claim into a massive payout in our case study, “How I Turned $618 Into $68,000 for Wendy”.
Why Public Adjusters Are Your First Line of Defense
Many policyholders assume the insurance company will help them. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Policies are full of fine print, technical language, and exceptions that can leave you high and dry.
A public adjuster’s job is to represent your interests, not the insurance company’s. At Panther Public Adjusting, we don’t just file claims—we fight for maximum settlements.
Explore how we protect Florida homeowners from insurer tactics in “Don’t Let Your Insurance Company Get Away With This Trick”.
This Could Happen in Any Florida City
We’ve seen similar mistakes happen in:
- Venice: where coastal renovations are common after hurricane damage
- Miami: where investors flip homes and quickly rent them out
- Englewood: where builder’s risk coverage often doesn’t match property usage timelines
- Tampa: where high-value rebuilds need accurate and timely policy changes
- Cape Coral: where rental turnover creates dangerous policy gaps
Don’t risk your biggest investment. Panther Public Adjusting is your protection team.
Join Our Community & Stay Informed
We encourage all homeowners to become better informed:
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel, My Insurance Claim Expert, for weekly insights
- Join our Facebook group, Anything About Property Insurance Claims 101, and connect with others facing similar challenges
Also, check out our advice on protecting receipts and maximizing hurricane claims in “Don’t Let Your Receipts Slip Through the Cracks”.
Conclusion: Don’t Let Your Policy Expire Without You Knowing It
This homeowner’s experience is a painful reminder: having the wrong insurance policy is almost worse than having none at all. Protecting your home, rental property, or renovation investment starts with knowledge and ends with expert representation.
Let Panther Public Adjusting ensure you’re covered from start to finish.
- 📧 Email your policy to Claims@PantherPA.com
- ☎️ Call 833-726-8437
- 📈 Fill out our contact form
We’re here to fight for you, every step of the way.
Panther Public Adjusting — Florida’s trusted advocates for homeowners, landlords, and property investors in cities like Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Tallahassee. Your claim. Your rights. Your payout.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: When does a builder’s risk policy expire?
A builder’s risk policy typically expires either 90 days after construction is completed or when the property becomes occupied or rented—whichever comes first.
Q2: Can I switch to a landlord policy after renovations are done?
Yes, and you absolutely should. Once your property is finished and ready to rent or live in, transitioning to the correct coverage like a landlord or homeowner’s policy is essential.
Q3: How can Panther Public Adjusting help if my claim is denied?
Our licensed public adjusters can review your case, interpret your policy, and negotiate directly with the insurance company to fight for the full settlement you deserve. We’ve helped countless homeowners across Florida cities like Miami, Sarasota, and Fort Lauderdale recover from denied or underpaid claims.