Is your insurance payment too low? Signs of an underpaid claim.

Many Florida homeowners receive a payment after a storm, leak, or fire, only to learn it won't come close to covering the repairs. An underpaid claim can be just as costly as a denied one.

Compare the insurer's estimate with real repair quotes. If licensed contractors are quoting far more than the insurer paid, look closely at what the estimate left out. Common gaps include interior water damage, drying and mold remediation, matching materials, code-required upgrades, and contents.

Watch for heavy depreciation. Some policies pay the depreciated value first and the rest after repairs are completed. Make sure you understand which kind of coverage you have and what you need to do to recover the held-back amount.

Cashing a check doesn't always end your claim, but some checks and releases are written to. Read the language carefully before you sign anything.

If the payment doesn't match the damage, an attorney can compare the estimate, the policy, and the repair costs, and explain your options under Florida law.