Hurricane Insurance Claims Lawyer in Florida

Hurricanes may wreak havoc and cause insurmountable damages to residential and commercial property. Large storms come through with extreme winds and torrential rain. The result is often damage from wind, rain, and flooding. Additionally, the storms may spawn tornadoes that cause additional destruction. Florida was hit with dangerous storms, and the result was severe damage including flooding due to rain and storm surge. Property owners need to assess their losses and file insurance claims. Claims can be complex and sometimes require help from a Florida hurricane insurance lawyer.

Types of Florida Hurricane Damage

You may sustain various types of damages as a result of a hurricane. Damage from wind commonly rips roofs or tears off shingles or siding. Wind may also uproot trees or break branches which can damage your property. A hurricane can create extreme amounts of rainfall. Rain can damage siding, gutters, roofs, foundations and may leak into your home. Another danger from hurricanes is flooding.

Flood waters might damage your entire home and the contents including furniture and personal possessions. You could also suffer flood damage to your vehicles. You may have insurance protection for some or all of these types of damages. Typically, your main homeowner’s insurance policy covers general damages to your dwelling and property. You need additional coverage is necessary that protects against wind and flood damage. A Florida hurricane claims lawyer is available to assist in claims issues.

Florida Hurricane Insurance Policies and Deductibles

Assess the damage to your property as soon as it is safe to do so. You need to check your insurance policies immediately following a storm. Verify which policy protects you from the damages that you sustained. If you cannot locate your policy or lost it in the storm, you should request a copy from your provider. Contact your insurance companies and file claims as soon as you can. The sooner you file a claim, the sooner you may be able to get money for the repairs you need to make. Depending on the type of damage that you sustained, you might need to file claims with more than one insurance company.

Each insurance policy has a deductible, which is the amount of money that you must pay towards a particular claim. For example, if you have a policy with a $1,000 deductible your insurance company will deduct that amount from your payment. Keep in mind that each policy has a deductible. The amount of the deductible is based on choices you made when you purchased the policy. Typically, you will pay more for a policy that has a lower deductible because it allows you to get more money without any deductions. Claims can be somewhat complicated, and you may want help from a Florida hurricane insurance claims lawyer to guide you through the process.

Florida Windstorm Insurance

In Florida, you need to have a windstorm policy in place to cover damages caused by winds such as those from a hurricane or tropical storm. The Florida Windstorm Insurance Association, TWIA, supplies insurance to Florida residents. You must follow specific rules that are in place to file a claim. An adjuster will perform an inspection of your premises. He creates an estimate that utilizes industry standards for basic damage repairs. The adjuster submits a report to a TWIA examiner.

Keep in mind that repair estimates allow for you to make repairs to your property to return it to the condition it was in before the damage happened. The types of materials that are allowed in the estimate are the same as the ones you already had installed. If you want to upgrade construction materials, you will have to pay that portion on your own. You may submit documentation that supports your claim. This is helpful to examiners when they make final decisions about payments. Some situations are complex, and you might need some help from a Florida hurricane insurance claims lawyer.

National Flood Insurance Program for Florida

Residents may purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, NFIP. The program provides insurance protection against flooding which cannot be obtained through standard homeowner’s insurance policies. If you have a flood insurance policy, you must submit a claim along with proof of damages. They will send an adjuster to examine the damages and make a determination regarding the value of your claim.

It is a good idea to obtain repair estimates before the adjuster arrives. The estimates should be done by a reputable contractor and must include details of the repairs that will be made along with a breakdown of costs including both labor and materials. You can give copies of the estimates to the adjuster to assist in damage and repair determinations. Once the adjuster completes the report, the insurance company gives you a letter that states the amount of the settlement.

If you do not agree with the amount of money that the insurance company offers, you have the right to file an appeal. You may also want to have a Florida hurricane insurance lawyer review your dispute before you file an appeal. An appeal requires the company to review your claim again. You need to make sure that you have provided all documentation and proof of your damages and losses as part of the claim. Once they review the appeal, the company provides you with a final resolution letter.

Determination of Hurricane Damages in Florida

After a hurricane, it can be difficult to determine which damages are covered under which policy. All you know is that you suffered a great deal of loss that should be reimbursed. Flood damages are different than wind damages even though they occurred as part of the same storm. Several different insurance policies or providers may cover different parts of your claim. The adjuster works to sort out some of these questions. However, you need to keep in mind that insurance companies employ adjusters.

You could end up with some damages or losses that your insurance providers will not cover. If a claim is denied or is lower than you think it should be, you may need to file a dispute. One way to avoid coverage discrepancies is to hire an independent adjuster, but it is critical that you contact a hurricane insurance lawyer beforehand to ensure your rights are fully protected. The adjuster will evaluate your damages and provide a complete report which you can use as proof for your insurance companies. The report will detail the types of damages that were sustained along with the recommendation for repair or replacement. The costs to make the repairs should put you in the same place you were before the storm occurred. A Florida hurricane insurance claims lawyer will guide you to a successful resolution.

Help from a Florida Hurricane Insurance Claims Lawyer

A Florida hurricane insurance lawyer is available to answer your questions and help guide you through the difficult process of insurance claims. Multiple claims, denials, and partial payments all need to be sorted out and resolved. The best way to accomplish this is with help from a firm that understands how to handle complex insurance claim cases. Not all claims need to end up in court. In fact, some can be resolved through negotiation with the provider on your behalf. The first step is to understand the amount of money you need to pay for the repairs to your home or business. If the provider fails to provide the compensation necessary to fix your home, you cannot fully recover. You need to seek assistance from a Florida hurricane insurance claims lawyer.

Farrell & Patel Law Firm is a growing firm made up of hurricane claims lawyers that advocate strongly for the rights of clients. Our hurricane claims lawyers want to protect your rights and get your claim settled to get you the money you deserve. We work on all types of hurricane insurance claims issues and complex litigation. We have offices in Houston, Miami, Tampa and Puerto Rico. Our hurricane insurance claims lawyer has helped many victims of insurance claim disputes obtain the settlement they needed from their insurance companies. If you have hurricane insurance claim issues, contact an experienced hurricane insurance claims lawyer at the Farrell & Patel Law Firm today.