The Short Answer

Under Florida law, the timeline for an insurer’s coverage decision depends on the type of claim and the policy involved. For many insurance claims, Florida requires the insurer to pay or deny the claim no later than 120 days after receiving the claim, with shorter deadlines applying in certain health-insurance situations.

If your claim involves a death benefit (often relevant in probate-related matters), Florida also requires life insurance policies to provide for settlement after the insurer receives due proof of death, and the policy may specify a period that cannot exceed 60 days after surrender of the policy and proof of death.

What Florida Law Says

Florida’s insurance statutes set outer time limits for when insurers must act once they receive the claim and required documentation. In practice, disputes often arise over what counts as a properly submitted claim, whether the insurer requested additional information, and whether the claim is being treated as contested (partially or fully) versus payable.

The Statute

The primary law governing this issue is Fla. Stat. § 627.613.

This statute establishes that an insurer must pay or deny a claim within required timeframes, including a general outside deadline that an insurer must pay or deny any claim no later than 120 days after receiving the claim.

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney

While the statute provides the general rule, applying it to your specific situation is rarely simple. Legal outcomes often depend on:

• Strict Deadlines: Even though Florida sets a 120-day outside deadline for pay/deny decisions under Fla. Stat. § 627.613, insurers may argue the clock has not started because they did not receive a complete claim or “proper written proof.”
• Burden of Proof: Coverage disputes often turn on documentation (proof of loss, medical records, cause of death documentation, policy conditions, exclusions, and beneficiary/estate authority), and missing items can delay or derail payment.
• Exceptions: Contested claims, partial denials, requests for additional information, and policy-specific requirements can change the timeline and your leverage—especially when the claim is tied to an estate administration or beneficiary dispute.

Trying to handle this alone can lead to avoidable delays, damaging statements to the insurer, or missed opportunities to enforce your rights—particularly when the claim affects probate administration, creditor issues, or beneficiary distributions.

Get Connected with a Florida Attorney

Do not leave your legal outcome to chance. We can connect you with a pre-screened Probate attorney in Florida to discuss your specific facts and options.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information under Florida law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.