There were thousands of homeowners who filed insurance claims for damages to their property after Hurricane Debby hit Florida in early August 2024. But, seventy-seven percent of hurricane insurance claims were denied by Citizens Property Insurance, one of the largest Florida insurers. This caused many people to be frustrated with their claims being denied. However, this blog informs you what you can do after your Hurricane Debby claims have been denied.
Why were Hurricane Debby's Claims being denied in Florida?
The denied claims are due to the nature of Hurricane Debby's damages. Most of the claims were flood damage, which is not covered by Florida property insurance policies. Flood insurance would cover flood damages. However, with Citizens, property coverage is only for wind damages.
According to Citizens spokesperson Michael Peltier, many policyholders in Tampa and other affected areas were unaware that their policies only cover wind damage, not flood damage. He said, "Flood claims must be handled separately under NFIP policies.” Peltier explained that some claims were denied because they fell below the policy deductible.
Additionally, homeowners usually learn more about their insurance policy after a disaster. This is one of the main reasons why Citizen Property Insurance denied Hurricane Debby's Claims.
Let’s compare how the recent tropical storm Impacted People
Hurricane Debby is one of the recent tropical storms that placed Florida’s insurance system under a lot of pressure. In addition to Debby, the state was hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton rapidly, resulting in over 37,000 denied hurricane claims across insurers in Florida.
Hurricane Milton struck Florida in October, resulting in more than 200,000 claims and $2.3 billion in estimated losses. Meanwhile, Hurricane Helene caused widespread devastation, killing over 200 people and damaging thousands of homes across multiple states. In Florida, 8.5% of claims related to Hurricane Milton were denied, while 14.4% of claims associated with Hurricane Helene were not paid.
The high denial rate during Hurricane Debby has reignited debates about insurance policies' handling of disasters. Due to the lack of financial support, homeowners hit by these storms have been forced to apply for federal disaster relief programs such as FEMA grants to rebuilds.
What Can Florida Homeowners Do to Face Against Citizen's Property Insurance?
At Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP, we always advise people to take these steps to protect themselves from Ctizen Property Insurance:
- Keep an eye on your insurance policies: Make sure your policies cover all possible risks.
- Take photos and videos of your home: Make sure to take them before and after storms to provide evidence.
- You should file your claims as soon as possible: Insurers often have strict submission deadlines.
- Seek an attorney: With the help of an attorney experienced in insurance disputes, your claim is denied unfairly.
How Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP Can Help You with Your Hurricane Debby Insurance Claim
At Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP, we understand how frustrating it is to deny your claim after a major hurricane. We offer comprehensive support to help you dispute denials and, if necessary, pursue legal action against insurers acting in bad faith.
An evaluation and consultation of the Denied Insurance Claim
Our attorneys can review your insurance policy, and complex terms and exclusions can be clarified. If a claim is denied, you will be better prepared to respond and strengthen your case if you understand your policy in detail.
A claim can be appealed or refiled
Our team of experts can assist you with the appeals process, ensuring all necessary documentation is submitted. Having experience with insurance disputes, we can effectively represent you in these cases.
If necessary, take legal action
If your insurer continues to act in bad faith, our team is prepared to escalate the dispute through the legal system. If insurance companies withhold benefits unfairly, we are committed to helping you pursue fair compensation.
Support through the claims process.
As soon as a claim is filed, we provide continuous support until it has been resolved. You can count on our experienced attorneys every step of the way to resolve insurance disputes for you.
Contact us today
Reach out to us today to file your claim against Lumio. If you wait too long, you will miss the opportunity to be compensated. We will work hard on your case and fight for your rights.
In order to help you in this process, Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP offers a free consultation. We will explain the options you have based on your problems with Citizen Property Insurance and ensure that your concerns are heard.
