When a hurricane rolls through, it can cause homes and other property to suffer damage or complete destruction, causing much headache and heartache for many. Therefore, to help alleviate the burden of dealing with hurricane damage, Florida property owners rely on insurance to help cover the cost. As a homeowner, you want to ensure you’re getting the best coverage possible.
Unfortunately, even though you might be covered by hurricane insurance, the insurance companies will try every trick in the book to deny your claim. If you contacted insurance and your claim was denied, our Deltona personal injury lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine wants to help you with your claim and get you back on your feet.
Types Of Hurricane Damage
Hurricanes are so powerful that they can destroy anything in their path. There are a few types of damages that are more common than others, such as damage to roofs, siding, and fallen trees. The strength of the wind often determines how much damage the hurricane will cause.
The state of Florida uses the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale to gauge the wind of these powerful storms, giving each storm a category determined by wind speed. Let’s check out the categories below:
- Category 1 Storm: In this category, winds usually reach 74 mph, damaging roofs and weakening trees.
- Category 2 Storm: In this category, winds can gust up to 110 mph and damage roofs and power lines.
- Category 3 Storm: Category 3 includes gusts up to 129 mph, which can topple trees and damage power lines.
- Category 4 Storm: Winds can gust up to 156 mph, and blow off roofs, exterior walls, and uproot many trees.
- Category 5 Storm: Category 5 can see gusts exceeding 157 mph and could collapse entire structures.
If your property experienced hurricane damage, your Deltona hurricane claims lawyer can help you throughout the process of dealing with the insurance company.
What To Do After A Hurricane
Even if you’ve prepared for the hurricane, it’s likely that damage will be left behind. Therefore, if you own property in Florida, you should take the following steps to secure your property after the storm:
- Covering any damaged property to prevent water damage. This is a key factor the insurance uses when deciding on your claim. Failing to cover any damaged property could result in a denial of your claim.
- Creating a portfolio of all damage, such as the roof, walls, and the interior of the property. This is critical to show the insurance company there is significant damage caused by the storm and you are not liable.
- Take inventory of all the damaged property, so insurance knows exactly what was damaged.
- Get in touch with insurance right away to prevent any further delays in compensation or a decision on your claim.
Failure to take these precautions could result in the insurance company denying your claim or causing a delay in a decision. If you were denied a claim, get in touch with our firm to have our professionals fight for you.
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Homeowners Insurance Coverage
When you buy standard homeowners insurance in Florida, wind damage is covered; however, water damage is left to the homeowner to deal with themselves. Flood damage insurance is separate. When hurricane damage occurs, you’ll likely have to pay a previously agreed-upon deductible for any damage caused by a hurricane. It’s important to make sure you know exactly what to expect when filing your claim, so there are no surprises.
In some cases, you might think you’re covered by paying your premium each month; however, some insurance companies will state the damage was caused by water instead of wind to avoid paying for the damage to your property. This is a common issue many Florida residents endure after a storm; however, your hurricane claims lawyer is here to help.
Business Owners’ Insurance Claims
Business owners have a unique claims process, as they must account for both property damage and lost revenue. Filing such a claim requires experience, as there are many different avenues to explore. Let your hurricane claims lawyer help you file a claim for your business.
Why Hire Our Deltona Hurricane Claims Lawyer
Hiring our hurricane claims lawyer has several benefits, especially after a major storm hits. After hurricanes, insurance companies receive many claims, which results in delayed decisions for your claim. By hiring our hurricane claims lawyer, we can represent you and put pressure on the insurance company to deal with your case and get you the coverage you need to make necessary repairs.
Unfortunately, even in a time of crisis, insurance companies will employ “bad faith” tactics to deny your claim. Here are some of the bad-faith actions insurance companies tend to use:
- Undervaluing estimates
- Using another policy to settle a claim
- Insisting a lawyer is not necessary
- Requiring a written release of supplemental claims before settling
Although you might have a legitimate claim, insurance companies will try every tactic to avoid paying for damages. Get in touch with our attorneys to get solid representation to help you with your claim. We are your hurricane claims lawyer and will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve to pay for any storm damages.
Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today About Your Volusia County Claim
Navigating the many facets of an insurance claim can be a daunting task; that’s why it’s best to get in touch with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to represent you and your claim. As your hurricane claims lawyer, we have the knowledge and skill to get you the compensation you deserve. We are ready and able to negotiate with the insurance companies to help you get back on your feet. Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for more information today.
