Hurricanes are a common concern in Florida, as they can be extremely destructive and cause serious financial stress for property owners. It’s critical to have hurricane insurance. As a property owner, you should ensure you’re getting the best coverage available.
In some cases, even though you have paid your premiums and have insurance coverage, insurance companies will try to deny your claim using “bad faith” tactics. An Alafaya personal injury lawyer is ready and able to fight for you and the compensation you deserve. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine will be here for you every step of the way.
Types Of Hurricane Damage
Hurricanes will destroy anything in their way, as they are extremely powerful storms. Wind and water damage are some of the most common types of hurricane damage, which could cause roof and siding damage and fallen trees and powerlines.
The power of the storm is measured by the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale, which provides different categories depending on wind speed. Let’s check out the categories included in the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale below:
- Category 1: Winds gust up to 96 mph, damaging shingles and weak-rooted trees.
- Category 2: Winds reach up to 110 mph and cause roof and siding damage, as well as knocking down power lines.
- Category 3: Winds gust up to 129 mph and knock over large trees and take down power lines
- Category 4: Wind gusts exceed 130 mph, causing heavy roof and exterior damages. Large trees can also be uprooted.
- Category 5: Winds may exceed 157 mph and could cause the entire structure to collapse.
Are you a property owner who experienced hurricane damage? The Alafaya hurricane claims lawyer at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine is here to help. We know it can be devastating to lose property in a hurricane, and we want to help you get the compensation you deserve from the insurance company.
What To Do After A Hurricane
Regardless of how prepared you are for a hurricane, it’s likely there will be some type of damage incurred. However, it’s still important to secure any damaged property after the storm for insurance purposes:
- Preventing further water damage by covering the property. Water damage is not covered by standard insurance, so it’s critical to ensure all water-damaged property is secured.
- Taking note of all damage, such as the roof, walls, and the interior of the property.
- Take inventory of all the damaged property to assess what is damaged and what you would need to file a claim for.
- Contact your insurance provider right away to prevent any delay from occurring when processing your claim.
If you don’t take these precautions, the insurance company could deny your claim or delay your decision. Therefore, it’s critical to take the proper steps to save time and money in the long run.
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Homeowners Insurance Coverage
Standard homeowners insurance in Florida covers wind damage; however, water damage is not covered, and insurers may use that as a tactic to not pay out. When a hurricane hits your property and damage occurs, it’s important to know how much of a deductible you must pay. Knowing exactly what is included in your insurance can alleviate any surprises when filing your claim.
Although you pay your monthly premiums, some insurance companies will refuse to pay you because the damage was caused by water, not wind. After a hurricane, this is a common issue Florida residents encounter, which is another reason to hire a hurricane claims lawyer to help fight for you.
Business Owners’ Insurance Claims
If you are a business owner, you’ll likely have to file a claim for both residential and commercial property. However, filing a claim for a business is a bit different, as you must consider the damage to the property and any lost revenue. It takes expertise to file these claims, as there is a significant amount of fine print involved.
Therefore, it’s best to hire a hurricane claims lawyer to help file your claim. You should file your claim as soon as possible to avoid any delays in processing your claim and to prevent any further lost revenue for your business.
Why Hire A Hurricane Claims Lawyer In Orange County
There are quite a few reasons to hire a hurricane claims lawyer after a hurricane hits. One of the main issues Florida residents face are delays in making decisions for the claim. This is because the insurance company is so backlogged it could take months to get to your individual claim. When you hire our hurricane claims lawyer, we will get in touch with the insurance company in question and put pressure on them to decide on your claim.
This is where the term “bad faith” comes into play, as the insurance company will try various ways to either deny your claim or undervalue what you’re owed. Let’s check out some of the “bad faith” tactics used by insurance companies:
- Undervaluing estimates
- Using another policy to settle a claim
- Convincing homeowners a lawyer is not necessary
- Requiring a written release of supplemental claims as a condition of settlement
To avoid having to deal with the insurance company’s tactics of refusing to settle, contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today. We want you to have the best possible representation for your case.
Work With Our Alafaya Hurricane Claims Lawyer
Dealing with the insurance company can be difficult, especially if they are attempting to deny your claim. Therefore, it’s best to get in touch with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to represent you and get you the compensation you deserve from insurance.
Your attorney will negotiate with insurance to get you the coverage you need and help you restore your property. Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for more information.
