A recent report from Weiss Ratings[1] highlights a concerning trend in the property insurance industry: major insurers are denying or closing more than half of homeowner claims without any payment.
According to the April 2026 analysis, 15 large U.S. insurers closed at least 50% of homeowner claims in 2025 with no payout whatsoever. This means that, for many policyholders, filing a claim may be no better than a coin flip.
Even more troubling, the report raises questions about whether policyholders are truly receiving the protection they believe they purchased. As Weiss noted, denial rates at or above 50% “raise serious questions about the reliability of coverage,” particularly as some insurers continue to report strong profitability.
What This Means for Florida Homeowners
For Florida policyholders, this trend is especially significant. The report by Weiss found three Florida property insurers on the list of having closed 50% or more of claims without payment: (1) Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (61%), (2) State Farm Florida Insurance Company (53%), and Slide Insurance Company (50%).
Florida’s property insurance market has already been under strain due to rising premiums and recent legislative changes that eliminated policyholders’ entitlement to attorney’s fees. At the same time, data suggests that claims are increasingly being denied or underpaid, leaving homeowners to shoulder more of the financial burden after a loss.
In practical terms, this means:
- Valid claims may be denied outright
- Payments may fall below what is needed to restore the property
- Policyholders may feel pressured to accept inadequate settlements
- Legal remedies have become more limited in recent years
When insurers deny claims at these rates, it shifts risk back onto homeowners and often at the worst possible time, which may be after storm or water damage.
What You Can Do If Your Claim Is Denied
If your property insurance claim has been denied, delayed, or underpaid, you are not without options. Florida law still provides avenues to challenge improper claim handling, including breach of contract actions and, in appropriate cases, bad faith claims.
The key is acting early before deadlines pass and evidence is lost.
Contact Our Office
If you are dealing with a denied or underpaid property insurance claim, our office is here to help. We represent Florida policyholders in disputes against insurance companies and work to recover the full value owed under the policy.
Contact us today for a consultation to discuss your claim and your rights.
Dave Pettinato is an attorney at Older Lundy Koch & Martino and has spent over 25 years representing policyholders in property insurance claims across Florida. He regularly works alongside public adjusters and contractors to help homeowners recover what they’re owed after a loss.
[1] https://weissratings.com/en/weiss-news/15-large-u-s-insurers-denied-more-than-half-of-homeowner-claims-in-2025
