While less exposed than cities on the west coast of Florida, North Port has still received its fair share of hurricane warnings. Most of North Port is located in a storm surge zone. Hurricanes are particularly problematic for homeowners and renters as they can cause significant wind and flooding damage. Repairing a home in the aftermath of a hurricane is rarely cheap.
Homeowners insurance and hurricane insurance can help victims recoup some of their costs after a hurricane strikes. Securing a settlement from an insurer isn’t always easy, though. A North Port personal injury lawyer can negotiate with insurers on your behalf and help you secure the best settlement possible.
Common Problems With Filing A Hurricane Property Claim
Hurricane claims are unique in the legal world in that they usually exclusively involve insurance claims. As a result, securing a settlement to help you pay for repairs after a hurricane almost always involves dealing with insurers.
In an ideal world, hurricane victims could submit their property claims to an insurer and immediately receive financial relief. Unfortunately, the reality of these situations is often more convoluted.
Insurance companies are not charities; they are businesses. They care most about saving money, not assisting hurricane victims with rebuilding their homes. The following signs and tactics may indicate that your insurer is trying to reduce the value of your claim:
You Have Already Dealt With Multiple Representatives
There is nothing inherently wrong with an insurance company switching your representative. They may do this because:
- Your previous representative was needed elsewhere
- Your previous representative was let go by the insurer
- Your new representative is better suited to handle your case
However, if you have already dealt with two or three representatives, your insurer may be trying to stall your case. By constantly switching your representative, an insurer forces you to stay on your toes.
They Request That You Make A Recorded Statement
Recorded statements are not as innocent as they may seem. To the unaware, they can appear to be an opportunity to get the facts of your case straight with an insurer. However, this assumption is often misguided.
An insurer can use your recorded statement to suggest:
- That your home was already damaged
- That you were somehow responsible for the damages your home suffered
- That the hurricane did not damage your home
Insurance companies frequently treat statements made on record as indisputable facts. Once you have gone on record, it can be challenging to backpedal.
Don’t let an insurer use your words against you. If your insurer requests you make a recorded statement, you should refuse and then consider speaking with a lawyer. A North Port hurricane property claim lawyer can communicate with insurers on your behalf.
You Start Receiving Friend Requests From People That You Don’t Know
It is common to receive friend requests from people you do not know on social media. After all, most social media platforms have a mutual friends feature. These features allow people to connect with others they haven’t met in person.
Social media’s playing field is different after a hurricane, though. Insurers sometimes use social media to review hurricane property claims. They may evaluate:
- Images you have posted: Images of your home can be used as fodder during the claims process. The insurer may suggest that images you’ve posted to social media suggest that your home wasn’t damaged during the hurricane.
- Other posts you have made: Status updates, tweets, and photo captions can be revealing. Insurers can review what you’ve said about the hurricane on social media accounts. Saying something as simple as “repairs are going well” could allow insurers to insinuate that you don’t need as high of a claim.
In the aftermath of a hurricane, approach social media with caution. Posting the wrong image or statement could jeopardize your case. Insurance adjusters may closely monitor what you post. Similarly, be wary of friend requests from people you don’t know. It could be an adjuster trying to view your profile.
Can A Hurricane Property Claim Lawyer Help Me?
The aftermath of a hurricane is both frightening and stressful. You’ll need to:
- Figure out how you are going to repair your home
- Prepare for temporarily living somewhere else during the repair process
- Ensure that your family is doing okay, and care for them as needed
Insurance negotiations compound these challenges as securing a claim may be necessary to get your life back on track. The negotiations may be rife with pitfalls. It is common for insurers to make this matter more complicated than it needs to be.
A hurricane property claim lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can offer you peace of mind, among other services:
- Manage communications with insurers
- Push for the best claim offer possible
- Advise you on insurance negotiations best practices, including what you should and shouldn’t say to insurers
- Notify you when an insurer is operating in bad faith
Helping You Stay on Top of Your Case
Hurricane property claim cases are about more than just results. We strive to provide a simple legal experience that meets our clients where they are. We can:
- Consistently update you on the status of your case
- Provide straightforward answers to your questions
- Correspond via your preferred method of communication
How Expensive Are Lawyers?
Hiring a lawyer can be daunting, especially amidst the costs associated with a hurricane. We make this part of the process easy, though. Our team works on contingency. We require no upfront fees, and we do not require payment unless we secure a claim for you.
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Compensation Available in A Hurricane Property Claim
Provided you have the correct insurance (hurricane insurance is usually a combination of multiple policies), you can receive compensation for the following property owners’ losses after a hurricane:
- Flood damage
- Wind damage
- Replacement of covered property losses, like personal belongings or vehicles
- Reimbursement for time spent in hotels while repairing your home
- Wreckage removal and other similar services
Remember, hurricane insurance is not a singular policy. To have flooding damage covered, you’ll likely need another policy in addition to your hurricane deductible. If you’re unsure about the coverage provided by your homeowner’s insurance, speak with your insurer. It is best to know what your policy will or will not cover before hurricane season arrives.
You Are Entitled to Legal Assistance During Your Hurricane Property Claim
You don’t need to handle big insurance companies alone. The sooner you get started, the better. Your insurance policy may have deadlines for filing claims.
Our team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine is prepared to fight for the best outcome possible. Contact our offices for a free case evaluation today. When you have questions, we have answers.
