The process of filing a wind damage property claim should be straightforward. You, as the insured party, submit the claim. The insurance company investigates the claim and then offers you a payment.
Unfortunately, the process most people experience is typically far more complicated and frustrating. The insurance company may purposefully try to overwhelm you, so you feel that you have no option other than accepting their offer of compensation.
That is not your only option. If you have experienced wind damage in Orlando and the insurance process is leaving you with a headache, call a wind damage property claim lawyer in Orlando from Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. We are standing by to evaluate your claim today.
Damage You May Experience After a Windstorm
Homes, especially mobile homes, vehicles, structures, and other properties are at risk for wind damage during storms. According to the National Weather Service, Central Florida could experience as many as 100 thunderstorms in a year.
The severity of these storms can range, but the effects of high wind are the same when it comes to your property. The damaging wind during a thunderstorm is called a downdraft. A strong downdraft, also known as a “macroburst,” can affect areas greater than two-and-a-half miles wide and have peak winds that could last between five and 20 minutes long. According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, a macroburst could have the same damage-causing intensity of an F3 force tornado.
Such intense winds could:
- Displace items, causing them to become flying projectiles that can impact other property, causing further damage
- Cause damage to a structure’s surface including paint, stucco, shutters, windows, screened patios, and doors
- Rip away or destroy roof shingles, roofing sublayers, and gutter systems
- Knock over lighting and electrical poles and uproot trees, causing further damage to property it could fall on
- Destroy or displace air conditioning units and other external property
- Create flying debris that can bump, dent, or scratch property that it comes in contact with
If the insurance company is making the process a hassle for you or violating your rights under the Florida Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights, a personal injury lawyer in Orlando at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine are ready to begin a free evaluation of your claim. Call today for a consultation.
The Insurance Company Is Denying My Claim—What Can I Do?
It is an unfortunate occurrence when insurance companies take advantage of loopholes to avoid taking care of their customers. Here are a few reasons that your insurance company could try to avoid compensating you, as well as what you can do to protect yourself.
Depending on the circumstance, they could claim:
The Damage Is From Normal Wear and Tear
The insurance company may try to claim that the damage caused by wind is nothing more than normal wear and tear from the harsh Orlando climate.
Your Roof Does Not Meet the Threshold Requirement to Justify Replacement
By Florida law, if 25% or more of your roof area is damaged, it needs to be replaced completely.
Damage Is the Result of Installation Defect or Design Flaw
It is possible that the insurance company could claim that improper roof or structure installation caused the damage to your property.
Wind Was Not the Primary Cause of Damage
Because wind is not the only damaging impact of a storm, insurance companies could try to blame factors, such as flooding, hail, or other precipitation.
Steps to Take Before and After a Storm
If you know a storm is headed your way, here are a few steps you should take before, as well as after, it passes:
- Properly maintain home and property: Trim trees and shrubbery close to the house, clean gutter systems, and keep the roof free of debris like leaves and branches.
- Trim overhanging trees: Make sure to properly maintain trees that could be close to your home can prevent wear and tear to the roof.
- Keep maintenance records: Make sure to keep any records of property and roofing maintenance, including the company and date and time of repair or replacement.
- Before and after pictures: If a storm is coming, it is best to gather pictures and video evidence both before and after the storm has passed. Make sure photos and videos are clear and contain as much of the property and home as possible.
- Secure external property: High winds can cause unnecessary damage if precautions are not taken to secure the property. Hurricane shutters or boarding over the windows and doors can prevent breaking and intrusion of wind and water. Bringing in or securing external property such as furniture can prevent it from becoming a flying projectile or being damaged by one.
The insurance company may try to delay, deny, or reduce your claim for any reason. Don’t give them the chance to treat you unfairly and prevent you from recovering as quickly as possible. If the insurance company is disputing your claim for compensation for any reason, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine are here to help you. Contact us for a no-risk consultation.
What a Wind Damage Property Claim Lawyer in Orlando Can Do for You
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine help our clients pursue the recovery of their losses to the fullest possible extent. We are proud of the results we have achieved for our clients with wind damage property claims.
We are here to help if you are experiencing:
- Stalling by the insurance company
- An overwhelming volume of paperwork
- Being treated unfairly
- A devaluation of your claim
- Denial of your claim
- Refusal to pay for losses covered by your policy
- A delayed settlement
- A low settlement offering
We will go the extra mile for you. Protect your wind damage property claim by contacting the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today. You can receive a free, no-obligation consultation to evaluate your claim and begin the process of recovering your losses right away.
We Can Help.
