Orlando Hurricane Damage Lawyer

More hurricanes hit the state of Florida than any other state in the United States. If you live in Orlando, Florida, chances are you have prepared for and lived through several hurricanes in your life.

Unfortunately, some hurricanes are stronger than others and can cause severe damage and devastation to people and neighborhoods everywhere.

If your Florida home or property has experienced damage because of a hurricane or tropical storm, the emotional and financial toll can be extreme. Even worse, if your insurance company denies or refuses to cover your claim, it makes recovering even more difficult.

Thankfully, you can still find help. Hiring a hurricane lawyer in Orlando, Florida, can help you recover the compensation you need and deserve after hurricane damage occurs.

The Importance of Hiring a Hurricane Lawyer in Orlando

It doesn’t matter if you file your claim or have pushback from your insurance provider; hiring a reputable hurricane lawyer in Orlando is a smart move. You can look at this legal representative as your trusted advocate to help with a difficult situation.

The attorney you hire will use their experience to build a strong case on your behalf. Their ultimate goal is to recover a timely settlement or litigate for the highest payout based on the damage you experienced.

Getting to Know More about the Atlantic Hurricane Season

The average hurricane season produces approximately 12 named storms with winds of 39 mph or higher, six storms with 74 mph or higher, and three major hurricanes, which have winds of 111 mph or higher. Recently, however, there have been more powerful storms than what is considered usual.

One example was in 2019. There were 18 total named storms this year, with six being hurricanes and three being major hurricanes. Then 2020 topped what occurred in 2019 with 30 total named storms and 13 hurricanes.

Even worse, the 2020 hurricane season resulted in unprecedented water levels, due to excessive rainfall, in many areas, including parts of central Florida and south Florida.

It’s important to note that the combined rain, wind, and overall damaging effects of Florida hurricanes can result in all types of damages and the need for emergency management services.

The storm damage is caused by all these factors working together and creating a dangerous situation, like when Hurricane Irma hit Florida in 2017.

When Insurance Companies Don’t Come Through

It is frustrating to pay your premiums on time every month, only for the insurance provider to drag its feet when you need to make a claim on our home or business. This is why finding a lawyer may be your best option.

A property damage attorney with practice areas in Orlando FL or Winter Haven can help you handle this situation and possibly speed things along with the insurance claims process.

Types of Hurricane Damage in Orlando, Florida

All hurricanes are dangerous and can result in hurricane damage in Orlando, Florida. While you may not realize the devastation these storms can create, it’s often severe and significant.

Many people’s lives are painfully impacted and changed. Hurricanes may threaten your security and require Orlando residents to seek outside assistance to make repairs or replace what they have lost.

Some of the most common types of damage that occur during a hurricane include:

  • Water damage
  • Roof damage
  • Damaged vehicles
  • Broken glass
  • Landscape damage
  • Structural damage
  • Downed trees
  • Cosmetic damage
  • Damaged or ruined electronic equipment

If you live in Orlando and you have suffered hurricane damage, chances are you first turn to your insurance provider to help cover the losses you sustained.

Unfortunately, it isn’t unusual to be in a situation where your claim is delayed, underpaid, or denied. In these situations, hiring a hurricane lawyer in Orlando is highly recommended.

While insurance claims are often denied, there are some steps you can take to help reduce the likelihood that this will happen to you. Part of this means taking the proper steps after the storm has moved out of your area.

Steps to Take After an Orlando Hurricane

It isn’t uncommon to deal with hurricane threats in Orlando. During storm season – which lasts from August to November – it seems like there is always a storm or two somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico, headed toward the Sunshine State.

After a storm, take these steps to protect your right to compensation:

Document Everything

Take time to assess inside and outside damage. If possible, take photos or videos of your yard, home, and as much of your roof as possible. You should also check your windows for any leaks and keep an inventory of any damage as you go.

Cover Damaged Property

Your insurance company will take any available opportunity to avoid having to pay your claim. Because of this, you need to make sure you cover any damaged part of your home, business, or property with a tarp or another protective covering.

This will ensure the insurance company cannot claim that the damaged property only deteriorated after the hurricane had already passed through.

File Your Claim Promptly

It is necessary to file a claim quickly after damage occurs. Ensure you check your obligations since not following the requirements outlined in your contract could put your coverage and claim at risk.

Also, each state has a statute of limitations, which is a legal timeframe you must file a claim. For Florida, the statute of limitations for a property damage claim is four years from when the damage has occurred.

Suppose you don’t file a lawsuit against the insurer within this period of time. In that case, your case will probably be dismissed, and you will eliminate your ability to recover compensation for the property damage that has occurred.

Coverage Offered by Property Insurance in Florida

If your home, business, or property is damaged due to the impact of a major storm, your homeowner’s policy should cover the damage. This policy provides several types of coverage, including:

  • Hail, wind, or Water Damage: The policy you have should cover all types of exterior damage to your home or property, including the siding and roof.
  • Personal Contents: If your personal property is damaged, it should be covered by your policy. This includes damage from storm-related flooding or interior water damage caused by mildew or mold growth.
  • Removal of Debris: Any cost you incur while hauling away damaged property after the storm should be covered by your insurance policy.
    Additional Living Expences: If your home is destroyed and you must reside in an apartment or hotel while your home is repaired, insurance should cover this.
  • Increased Construction Costs: After a storm, the cost of materials and labor to rebuild or repair your home may increase significantly. However, some insurance companies will not recognize this increase and reflect it in the payout you receive.

When a hurricane comes on land, it can cause devastating damage. After this type of disaster, the cleanup process is hard enough without having to fight the insurance company to receive the full compensation you deserve.

Unfortunately, after a storm, especially a serious one, most insurance companies are dealing with many property damage claims. Because of this, they may be conservative when it comes to damage assessments to help reduce payouts.

If this happens, a hurricane lawyer in Orlando can work on your behalf to help you receive the compensation you deserve for the damage you are dealing with. After all, insurance companies don’t always want to pay the replacement and repair costs you deserve.

If you have issues dealing with your insurer after a storm moves through Orlando, knowing your rights and working with a reputable attorney is necessary.

Reasons Your Insurance Company May Not Pay

As mentioned above, when you own a home, you count on your homeowner’s insurance to cover the losses you incur when a hurricane moves through Orlando.

Unfortunately, several things may impact the payment you receive (or don’t receive). These include:

Denial of Coverage

A standard homeowner’s insurance policy will cover wind damage, including damage from hurricane winds in most other states. However, for Florida residents, you will usually require a separate insurance policy or add a rider to your policy to be covered for wind damage from hurricanes.

If you fail to read your policy carefully, you may be shocked to learn the wind damage caused by a hurricane is not covered and that your claim is denied because your policy does not include hurricane-caused damage.

Delayed Payment or Approval

When your claim process continues for weeks with no explanation for a delay, it may indicate a more significant issue.

At this point, it is a good idea to consult with a hurricane lawyer in Orlando. In most cases, if you don’t receive approval or information about your claim promptly, you will need legal assistance.

Undervaluing Your Claim

When your property is insured, you expect full compensation for the losses you experience. If the insurance company undervalues the loss, you won’t have the needed resources to repair the damage. This is another situation when consulting with an attorney is a good idea.

There are other tactics that some insurance companies may use to try to get out of paying your claim or reducing what they pay you. These tactics include:

  • Denying you had insurance coverage
  • Claiming your damages are partially or fully excluded under your policy
    Denying a part of your claim
  • Refusing to pay you based on one coverage category or trying to get you to settle under other policy coverage categories
  • Telling you a lawyer is not necessary to settle your claim
  • Requiring you to provide a written release for any additional or supplemental claim as a condition of the settlement payment
  • Writing “final” or “full” on the check for payment when you believe you have an additional or supplemental claim for the losses

If you are dealing with any of these issues, you should contact an attorney for help right away.

Experienced property insurance dispute lawyers will help you navigate the often ridiculous tactics modern insurance companies use to minimize or deny your insurance compensation for hurricane property damage.

Tips for Proving Hurricane Damage Occurred

When a hurricane is headed toward Orlando, it may be challenging to consider anything other than the personal safety of you and your family.

In fact, you will likely focus on filling up your gas tank, purchasing several gallons of water to have on hand, and having a stockpile of batteries and food.

While this is all-important, it can also be beneficial to create a list of all your personal property in case damages occur.

According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, which provides a comprehensive Home Inventory Checklist, you should do the following:

  • Go room to room and identify your items, including valuables, furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, decorations, artwork, and anything else you own.
  • Record the estimated value of every item listed, including serial numbers (if available), brand names, and other specifics.
  • Take pictures or videos of each item.
  • Put proof of purchase of your items in a safe location.
  • Keep a copy of your insurance policy somewhere secure.

By taking these steps before the storm, you will have proof of what you lost, which can help your claim move along faster after the storm.

These lists can also benefit your hurricane lawyer in Orlando if you have to seek legal assistance for your situation.

Schedule a Consultation with a Orlando Hurricane Lawyer  Today

When you hire a hurricane lawyer in Orlando, you will have the services and assistance of a legal professional who has a firsthand understanding of the struggles you face when trying to navigate your property or hurricane insurance claim.

There’s no question that hurricane damage in Orlando, Florida, can be serious and may even be devastating for some. Legal professionals in this niche understand all the traps and pitfalls associated with filing a claim and have worked to help people, just like you.

They will use this experience, expertise, and knowledge to fight for you and help you acquire the compensation you deserve.

Instead of navigating through this complex process alone, let a professional help reduce some of the burdens you face.

Remember, your insurance company isn’t in the business of helping you. Rather, they want to make as much money as possible, which means denying or reducing your claim.

Because of this, you must have someone on your side willing to fight on your behalf. Contact an attorney to schedule a free consultation if you need help with your hurricane property insurance claim.

(407) 603-7940