Security First Insurance Claim — How to Fight for a Fair Settlement in Florida
Security First Insurance Company has been writing homeowner’s policies in Florida for over two decades, serving policyholders primarily in the state’s most hurricane-vulnerable areas. If you have a Security First policy and have experienced property damage, understanding how this carrier handles claims will help you avoid common pitfalls and maximize your settlement.
Security First, like all Florida property insurers, is in the business of managing risk — which includes paying as little as defensible on claims. The adjuster they send to your property works for Security First, not for you. The estimate they produce is designed to protect the company’s financial position, not to cover your actual repair costs.
Greater Claims Consulting & Appraisal Inc. provides professional public adjusting services for Security First policyholders throughout South Florida. Reginald Amedee and our team handle your claim from start to finish, ensuring you receive the maximum settlement your policy provides.
Call (877) 462-7036 for a free claim review.
Understanding Security First Insurance
Security First Insurance Company is domiciled in Florida and writes homeowner’s insurance primarily in the state. The company has grown significantly over the past decade, partly through Citizens Insurance depopulation programs that transferred policies from the state insurer to private carriers like Security First.
How Security First Handles Claims
Security First uses a combination of staff adjusters and independent adjusting firms. For major storm events, the company brings on additional independent adjusters to handle claim volume. These adjusters may have varying levels of familiarity with South Florida construction, pricing, and code requirements.
Security First also employs consulting engineers and roof specialists who inspect disputed claims. These experts are hired by Security First, and their reports frequently support the company’s position — finding that damage is attributable to maintenance, age, or installation issues rather than covered perils.
Common Security First Claim Issues
Low initial offers. Security First’s first offer is typically a conservative assessment of your damage. Many policyholders accept this offer without realizing it falls significantly short of their actual repair costs.
Roof claim disputes. Security First aggressively disputes roof claims, particularly on older homes. Their engineers frequently attribute damage to weathering, biological growth, fastener failure, or installation defects — anything other than covered storm damage.
Supplement delays. When policyholders or their contractors discover additional damage during repairs, Security First can be slow to inspect and process supplemental claims. These delays can stall repairs and create financial hardship.
Maintenance exclusions. Security First frequently applies maintenance exclusions to deny or reduce claims. While maintenance exclusions are a legitimate policy provision, Security First sometimes applies them to damage that clearly resulted from a covered peril.
Depreciation calculations. Security First’s depreciation deductions on actual cash value payments can be aggressive, reducing your initial payment well below what you need for repairs.
How Greater Claims Consulting Fights Security First Claims
Comprehensive Damage Inspection
We perform a thorough inspection of your property, examining every area of damage with professional tools and experienced assessment. We identify damage that Security First’s adjuster missed — hidden water damage, structural issues, compromised components, and secondary damage that adds significantly to the repair cost.
Professional Claim Preparation
We document your claim with detailed photographs, measurements, moisture readings, and a complete repair estimate using Xactimate software with current South Florida pricing. This professional documentation establishes the true value of your loss and gives Security First less room to underpay.
Policy Analysis
We review your Security First policy to identify all applicable coverages. If your policy was transferred from Citizens, we verify that your coverage terms are what you expected and that Security First is honoring all provisions.
Expert Negotiation
We negotiate with Security First’s claims team directly, challenging every undervaluation with documented evidence. We dispute low estimates with current market pricing data, challenge engineer reports with counterevidence, and fight for every covered dollar.
Appraisal Invocation
When Security First refuses to negotiate fairly, we invoke the appraisal clause. The appraisal process uses independent appraisers and an umpire to make a binding determination of the claim value. Reginald Amedee has deep experience in Florida appraisals.
Types of Security First Claims We Handle
Hurricane and wind damage. Roof damage, wind-driven rain, structural damage, siding failures, fence and screen enclosure damage, and fallen tree damage.
Water damage. Burst pipes, supply line failures, AC condensation leaks, water heater failures, and appliance malfunctions. We document the full extent of water migration, including moisture behind walls and under flooring.
Roof claims. Wind damage, hail damage, fallen debris, and weather-related deterioration. We challenge Security First’s tendency to blame covered damage on maintenance or age.
Fire and smoke damage. Structure fires, kitchen fires, electrical fires, and lightning strikes. We document direct fire damage as well as smoke, soot, and heat damage throughout the property.
Mold claims. When mold growth results from a covered water loss, we document the causal connection and pursue available coverage under your policy.
Denied and underpaid claims. If Security First denied your claim or settled for less than the damage warrants, we can reopen the claim and fight for additional payment.
What Former Citizens Policyholders Should Know
If your policy was transferred from Citizens to Security First through a depopulation program, there are several things to be aware of:
Coverage changes. Your Security First policy may have different coverage terms, deductibles, or exclusions than your Citizens policy. Review your new policy carefully — or let a public adjuster review it for you.
Claims history. If you had an open or recent claim with Citizens that was pending when your policy transferred, make sure Security First has all relevant documentation and is honoring the claim.
Renewal terms. Security First may adjust your coverage terms at renewal. Understand what coverage you have before damage occurs.
Your Rights Under Florida Law
As a Security First policyholder, Florida law protects you:
- Prompt claims handling — Security First must acknowledge your claim within 14 days and make a decision within 90 days (F.S. 627.70131)
- Written denial explanations — Any denial must cite specific policy language
- Right to public adjuster — You can hire professional representation at any time
- Appraisal rights — Binding dispute resolution for claim amount disagreements
- DFS complaints — File complaints about insurer misconduct with the Florida Department of Financial Services
Steps to Take After Property Damage
- Report to Security First immediately — File your claim as soon as you discover damage
- Document everything — Photographs, videos, and written descriptions before cleanup
- Emergency repairs only — Prevent further damage, keep receipts
- Call Greater Claims Consulting at (877) 462-7036 — Get professional representation before engaging with Security First’s claims team
- Do not accept quick offers — Initial offers are starting points, not final settlements
- Keep a communication log — Document every interaction with Security First
Contact Greater Claims Consulting
Security First Insurance should pay what your policy provides. Greater Claims Consulting & Appraisal Inc. makes sure they do.
Call Reginald Amedee at (877) 462-7036 for a free, no-obligation review of your Security First Insurance claim. We serve all of South Florida.
Greater Claims Consulting & Appraisal Inc. is a licensed public adjusting and appraisal firm. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice.