Hurricane Property Damage Lawyer in Florida

Hurricanes are among the most destructive of all natural disasters. When a hurricane strikes, it may cause a myriad of damage to your residence or business. Hurricanes are particularly dangerous because they could cause several types of damages. Potential hazards of hurricanes include wind, rain, flooding, tornados and storm surge. These hazards each have the ability to cause serious damage to your home and property. Insurance companies are extremely busy immediately following a hurricane. It is important to file an insurance claim as soon as possible. If you do not receive a fair result, you might need help from a Florida hurricane property damage lawyer.

Assess Your Damages with a Hurricane Property Damage Lawyer

You should assess the damage to your premises as soon as it is safe. You might have damage to both the inside and outside of your home. In some cases, there is damage that is hidden. Structural damage could make your home uninhabitable. Get a professional to inspect your home if you are unsure of your safety. It is always better to be safe than risk harm to you or your family.

Take photos of all the damage to your property before you start doing any clean-up work. You need to provide proof of your hurricane damages and losses. Do not throw anything away unless it is dangerous or hazardous. Make a list of all your hurricane damages and losses. This will be necessary when you complete the claim process. You will also need the list later if you have a dispute with the insurance provider. If so, you might want to talk to a Florida hurricane property damage lawyer about the situation.

Review Your Insurance Policies with a Hurricane Property Damage Lawyer

You need to have different types of coverage to protect you from all the types of damages that might occur in a storm. Your standard homeowner’s insurance policy provides only basic protection. You must have additional coverage for windstorm and flood protection. In some instances, your insurance provider may offer a special rider that enhances your policy. They offer this at an additional premium.

Florida residents may purchase windstorm and flood insurance policies through the Florida Windstorm Insurance Association and the National Flood Insurance Program. You need to have these types of policies in place to protect your property against the types of damages that are caused by hurricanes and tropical storms. Your regular insurance policy does not cover these events, so it is imperative that you purchase these special types of coverage. A Florida hurricane property insurance lawyer will help protect your rights in claims cases.

Speak with an Experienced Hurricane Property Insurance Lawyer Before Filing a Hurricane Insurance Claim

The recovery process begins when you submit a claim with your insurance company. You should include any documentation of your losses along with your claim; however, you can provide that information later in the process. Get your claim in as soon as you can because there are many thousands of people who also need to file claims. The sooner you submit your information, the sooner the company can begin to process your claim.

An insurance adjuster will be scheduled to visit your property. The adjuster reviews all the damage and losses and makes a monetary determination of repair or replacement costs. These figures are typically obtained using the standard guidelines the company has in place. Keep in mind that you must file a claim with each insurance provider with which you have a policy. You also need to remember that there is a deductible for each insurance policy. The deductible is the amount that you must pay towards the claim. The amount of the deductible will be subtracted from the money that is paid to you on a claim.

It can be difficult to keep track of your various policies and claims. A Florida hurricane property insurance lawyer will assist you by making sure that each claim is made properly and that the required documentation is submitted. If you fail to provide and make a timely claim, you could forfeit your ability to get compensation for property damages.

FEMA Assistance for Hurricane Property Damage

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, provides disaster assistance. You may file an application for FEMA assistance to help cover any expenses that are not provided through your insurance company. FEMA assistance is not automatic, and there is only a limited amount of money to go around. Therefore, you need to pursue insurance claims with your provider before you can try to get any additional funds from the government. Generally, you need to have filed a claim and received a denial letter before you can seek FEMA aid. Do not count on governmental assistance to help you with the recovery process with monetary help.

What to Do If You Dispute a Settlement Offer for Hurricane Property Damage in Florida

It is not uncommon to receive a claim resolution that is lower than you anticipated. Sometimes a claim is partly or fully denied. If the amount of money offered is less than it should be, you have the right to dispute the claim. A dispute must be made in writing to the company, so you have documentation regarding when it was filed. A Florida insurance claim denial lawyer will assist you when a dispute arises.

A disagreement can occur when the adjuster provides an amount of money for repairs instead of replacement. To avoid disputes such as this, you can obtain estimates for damages before the adjuster visits your property. Make sure that the quotes are in writing and are made by reputable contractors. The quotes should contain details of the repairs so the adjuster can see the extent of work that is being estimated. Remember that you cannot get compensation for any work that is not part of the hurricane damage.

Some insurance policies require you to go through an appraisal process when there is a dispute. The appraisal process allows both you and the insurance company to hire outside appraisers. Each appraiser visits your property and examines the damages. They also view the adjuster’s report and any other documentation you provide such as work estimates.

Both adjusters work together to try to come to an agreement regarding damage repairs. If they cannot agree, a third adjuster is appointed to resolve the matter. The process was put in place by insurance providers as a way to try to settle disputes before they go to court. If you do not agree with the settlement offer that they provide you have the right to seek legal action. Florida hurricane insurance claim denial lawyers are ready to protect your rights and represent your legal case.

Insurance policies are considered contracts. As such, both parties must do what is required in the contract. If one party fails to perform the contract is breached. The insurance company must act in good faith and must perform according to the contract. If the company operates in bad faith or does not abide by the contract, you may be able to file a lawsuit. You and your property insurance claim lawyers can file a breach of contract or bad faith lawsuit against the insurance company.

Help from a Florida Hurricane Property Insurance Lawyer

The period of time following a severe hurricane is a difficult one for many homes and business owners. There is a lot of work to do to recover and get back to a normal way of life. The process of filing claims, providing proof of damages and disputing resolutions is often long and difficult. A Florida hurricane property insurance lawyer provides the help you need during this upsetting time. The situation becomes more complicated when you have more than one insurance policy. You need to keep track of all your claims and gather documentation and proof of all your damages for each policy.

Your Florida hurricane property damage lawyer will help make sure that you have the information needed to obtain the money you need to make repairs to your property. If your claim was denied or the money is not adequate, Florida property insurance claim lawyers will protect your rights and file a legal claim when necessary. The goal is to get you the compensation you need to rebuild your home, business, and life without having to go into debt. You have insurance to protect your property against these types of losses.

Do not wait to file a claim or to speak to an experienced hurricane property damage lawyer. You must take action before you lose your rights. Florida property insurance claim lawyers review your case, answer your questions and provide you with the options that are available in your particular situation. If you are not happy with the way the insurance company handles your claim, it is advisable to talk to a hurricane property damage lawyer before you agree to a settlement.

Farrell & Patel Law Firm has experienced property insurance claim lawyers at office locations across the country including in Houston. We work hard to resolve legal conflicts with insurance providers. We have a compassionate staff of Florida property insurance claim lawyers to assist you in getting a fair resolution from your insurance provider. We are able to assist with even the most complex cases. Contact the experienced hurricane property damage lawyer at Farrell & Patel Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.