Florida Hurricane Claims Lawyer

Florida is known for its year-round great weather, world-class theme parks, and awesome beaches. The Sunshine State is also infamous for its sometimes brutal hurricane season.

The state’s extensive coastline and low-lying areas are prime targets for these powerful storms, which can lead to major property damage and huge financial loss.

Unfortunately, insurance companies sometimes make things worse by issuing a wrongful denial or acting in bad faith.

Insurance companies are notorious for delaying the claims process and denying claims altogether. Insurers might also offer settlements that don’t fully cover the extent of the property damage to your home.

A hurricane claims lawyer in Florida can help you fight back against bad-faith negotiations and stalling tactics. Your attorney can help you meet various deadlines, file your claim in a timely manner, and submit the necessary documentation required by most insurance policies.

Learn what you need to do in the aftermath of a natural disaster and how an experienced attorney from Kennon Law can assist you with hurricane insurance claims.

Understanding Hurricane Damage Insurance Claims

Hurricane insurance may be purchased separately from your standard homeowners insurance policy. This type of insurance typically covers various types of hurricane-related damage, such as:

The destruction caused by high winds
Water damage resulting from rain intrusion or storm surges
Damage to or loss of your personal belongings
Additional living expenses, which are costs incurred if your home becomes uninhabitable

Before you file a damage insurance claim, it’s important to understand the different types of policies and what they cover. Homeowners insurance policies typically include protection against strong winds and often have a separate (and higher) deductible for a hurricane-related damage insurance claim.

Hurricane insurance can be purchased as an add-on protection. This type of policy can protect against the heavy rainfall and strong winds often encountered during hurricanes. Think of it as a combination insurance policy.

You can also purchase flood insurance, which covers flood-related damage. Flood insurance is usually excluded from standard homeowners policies. It can also be quite costly in many parts of Florida.

Once you review which types of coverage you have, you’ll need to review policy terms, coverage limits, and exclusions. Coverage limits are the maximum amount your insurer will pay for a covered claim.

Exclusions are specific conditions or circumstances that aren’t covered. For example, your insurance company may cover hurricane damage but not flooding.

The deductible is one of the most important parts of your policy you need to know. It is the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage applies.

Filing an Insurance Claim

The hurricane insurance claims process involves the following steps.

Take Photos of the Damage

Most insurance claims require photographic evidence of the damage. Take high-quality photos from multiple angles to support your insurance claims and minimize the risk of denials or delays.

Document the Hurricane Damage

In addition to photographs, provide your insurance company with any other relevant documentation to support your storm damage claim. For example, you could provide receipts for major appliances or submit pre-storm photographs so that your insurance adjuster can see before and after images of your home.

Contact Your Insurance Provider ASAP

Next, reach out to your insurance provider as soon as possible. You need to get the hurricane damage claim process started fast. Notify your provider by phone or online. Many companies have online portals to notify them of hurricane or wind damage quickly and easily.

File Your Insurance Claim

During this step, you’ll finish filling out the claim form and submit any additional documentation your insurer requests.

Your insurer will send out an insurance adjuster to assess the damage. Keep in mind that it may take a few weeks for insurance adjusters to get caught up after a major storm.

The insurance adjuster will evaluate your hurricane damage claim and determine the cost to repair the physical damage. Don’t worry if the estimate seems too low. You can (and should) negotiate for better compensation when filing a storm damage insurance claim.

Negotiating with the insurance company and appealing any denial can help ensure you receive fair compensation.

Prevent Additional Damage

While you deal with the storm damage insurance claims process, it’s important to prevent further damage to your home. This may involve putting a tarp on your roof or making some minor repairs, like covering broken windows with plywood.

Keep receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses you incur while fixing your damaged property. You can submit those receipts to your insurance company for reimbursement.

File a Lawsuit to Seek Adequate Compensation

Hopefully, your insurance provider will do the right thing by processing your claim in a timely manner and offering adequate compensation for hurricane damages. If they don’t, it’s time to talk to a hurricane claims lawyer.

A hurricane claim attorney can help you take legal action against your insurance provider. They can initiate the appeals process, negotiate with your insurance company, and, if necessary, take your case to trial.

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Insurance Company Tactics

There are many different ways your insurer may try to avoid paying hurricane damage insurance claims. Some common tactics used to minimize payouts include:

Prolonging the process to pressure you into accepting lower settlements
Rejecting valid storm damage claims
Offering settlements that don’t fully cover the damages you incurred
Utilizing complex policy language to confuse policyholders

A hurricane lawyer can help you fight back against your storm damage insurance company. They will review your policy and challenge insurance companies at the negotiating table.

Factors Affecting Insurance Payouts

There are several factors that could impact how much you are eligible to receive from your insurer. These variables include the following:

Policy limits
Deductibles
Coverage types
Where your property is located

The biggest factor at play is your policy limit. Your insurance company doesn’t have to pay more than the maximum amount stated on your policy documents, even if that amount isn’t enough to replace your home or repair all of the damage you experienced.

What to Expect From a Hurricane Claims Lawyer

An experienced hurricane damage claims lawyer will start by reviewing your policy and the property damage you experienced during the storm. They will reach out to your insurance company and find out why your claim was denied or why the company is stalling.

The hurricane insurance claim lawyer works to get to the bottom of the issue and takes necessary legal steps to get the compensation you are entitled to.

Are you worried about the cost of hiring a hurricane lawyer? Don’t be. A hurricane lawyer from Kennon Law can provide a free consultation to help you determine your next steps.

Many attorneys also bill on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless they win your case. Schedule a free consultation today and get the support you need.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When filing a hurricane damage insurance claim, it’s important to avoid some common pitfalls that could result in a delay or denial. One mistake involves failing to thoroughly document storm damage.

Put yourself in the insurance adjuster’s shoes. Did the evidence you provided offer a clear view of what happened and the extent of the damage?

Another mistake involves delaying notification, which can weaken your claim or lead to a denial. Notify your insurer as soon as possible so they can start the claims process.

The biggest mistake you can make involves fighting the insurance company’s legal team on your own. Connect with an experienced hurricane property damage lawyer and let them fight for your rights. Skilled hurricane damage attorneys give you the best chance of recovering the compensation you need.

Seek Help From a Hurricane Damage Insurance Attorney

A hurricane insurance claim attorney can mean the difference between receiving fair compensation and getting a lowball offer from your insurer. If you are concerned that your insurance company is giving you the runaround with your storm damage insurance claim, it’s time to bring in legal support.

If you’ve faced storm damage in the Bay Area of Florida, Tampa hurricane claim lawyers from Kennon Law can help. Our experienced attorneys serve clients throughout the Sunshine State and can go toe-to-toe with insurance companies on your behalf. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Handle a Hurricane Insurance Claim?

Start by documenting all damages with photos and videos. Notify your insurer as soon as you can and submit a detailed claim with supporting evidence. Consider talking to a hurricane claims lawyer to guide you through the process and advocate on your behalf.

Why Do Insurance Companies Deny Hurricane Claims?

Insurance companies can deny your storm damage claim for many different reasons. One common reason is insufficient documentation, which means you did not provide enough proof and supporting evidence to justify your claim.

Claims falling outside your insurance coverage could also lead to a denial. For example, if your policy covers wind damage but not flooding, a flood claim will likely get denied.

What Is the Cost in Damage for a Typical Hurricane?

A major storm can cause thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in damages to your home. The cost will vary depending on the strength of the hurricane, its path, and the condition of your home.

How Long Do I Have to File a Hurricane Ian Claim?

You have two years from the date of the storm to file your claim. In the case of Hurricane Ian, the deadline would have been two years after the storm made landfall, which was September 28, 2022. The deadline to file a claim was September 28, 2024.

How Long Does an Insurance Company Have to Settle a Hurricane Claim in Florida?

Your insurance company has to respond to your claim within 14 days, and it must pay, settle, or deny your claim within 90 days. If your claim gets denied, you should initiate the appeals process as quickly as possible. Otherwise, you may miss the deadline for filing an appeal and forfeit your right to compensation.

Does Property Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?

Sometimes, yes. A standard homeowners insurance policy usually covers wind damage but may exclude severe flooding. Carefully review your policy to determine what type of hurricane damage insurance claim it will cover. You don’t want to be caught by surprise if your home gets damaged by a major Florida hurricane.

How Much Do Lawyers Take From Your Claim in Florida?

Many hurricane claims lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means they will receive a percentage of your settlement, which usually ranges from 25% to 40%. You won’t pay anything up front to a contingency-fee attorney, and you won’t owe them anything unless they win.

What Steps Should I Take to Ensure My Hurricane Insurance Claim Is Filed Correctly?

Document all damage caused by the storm and notify your insurance company right away. Carefully review the claim form to ensure you are providing all necessary information. You should consider consulting an attorney for guidance.

Can I Recover Additional Living Expenses (ALE) After a Hurricane With the Help of a Lawyer?

Yes, if your policy includes ALE coverage, a lawyer can help you request compensation for temporary housing and related expenses incurred due to your home being uninhabitable after the storm.

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