Storm damage to your home, whether caused by strong winds, water, lightning, or hail, is distressing enough without the added stress of insurance companies denying your damages claim. Find out how an experienced Orlando storm damage lawyer can help you obtain a fair payout for your damage insurance claim.
Florida Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage
Most general homeowner’s insurance policies cover wind damage to sidings and roofs. Water and flood damage usually require an additional or a more comprehensive insurance plan. In the state of Florida, a homeowners insurance policy also covers hurricane damage.
The deductible amount is comprised of fixed percentages of the total hurricane insurance amount, which you must meet for the insurer to contribute to the amount. You might find it complicated to identify what storm damage is covered by insurance companies. You’re not alone.
Some hurricane insurance providers use homeowners confusion in trying to identify those damages to deny or limit their payouts, and those providers do so without giving the policyholders a detailed explanation. This can have serious consequences for property owners who then need to cover the cost of replacing or repairing damaged homes on their own.
Types of Hurricane and Tropical Storm Damage
Hurricane and storm wind speed and strength are calculated using the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale. The scale begins with Category 1 winds with speeds over 76mph and continues until Category 5 winds at speeds over 155mph.
Category 1 and Category 2 strong winds associated with hurricanes and tropical storms are powerful enough to pull gutters and sidings off houses, damage roofs, and fell trees and powerlines. Category 3 hurricanes can cause similar types of storm damage, although the damage usually is more extensive. Category 4 and 5 hurricane damage includes the above-mentioned damages as well as the collapsed walls of well-built homes.
Hurricane and tropical storm damage are not limited to the devastation caused by strong winds. Both weather systems are usually also associated with torrential rain that can lead to flooding and severe water damage to your home’s exterior structures, foundations, and potentially the interior areas as well.
The last few decades have seen numerous hurricanes make landfall in Florida. Among them were the two Category 4 hurricanes Irma (2017) and Michael (2018), and Category 4 and 5 Hurricane Andrew (1992). Due to climate change, hurricanes and tropical storms are becoming more frequent and severe.
Storms Are A Fact Of Floridian Life
Severe storms are a fact of life in Florida, so homeowners in Orlando need to be prepared for storm warnings. The storm and hurricane season here is from June through November every year.
However, even the best precautions may not be enough to prevent wind, hail, or water damage to your home’s roof shingles, siding, windows, or other elements. An experienced storm damage lawyer in Orlando can help you to determine whether your existing homeowners insurance policy offers sufficient protection to cover damages, and they can help you submit hurricane and storm damage insurance claims.
Storm Damage In Florida
Powerful hurricanes and severe storms can damage almost every part of your property. The entire structure of your house can suffer storm damage through a combination of elements such as strong winds and water, as can your garage, swimming pool, vehicles, and garden.
For example, the high winds of a hurricane or tropical storm are one of the major causes of damage to your roofing system. The winds can form holes in the roof’s weakest places and cause those areas to collapse. Combined with torrential rains, often the damage occurs both inside and out. This means there’s water damage inside that needs repairing too.
Your home also could suffer damage due to hail, the impact of which could damage roofing, sidings, gutters, skylights, and windows, and it could suffer lightning or fire damage. Lightning could start a fire in your home leading to damaged items, while felled powerlines also pose the threat of starting an electrical fire.
What You Should Do After A Storm
When the storm is over and you have done some preliminary cleaning up, you should inspect your property to look for any damaged elements that need to be repaired or replaced. Check for:
- Storm damage to roofing
- Cracks or chips in skylights
- Damaged sidings
- Damaged or broken windows
- Damage to exterior walls and doors
- Damage to landscaping elements, the swimming pool, and outdoor leisure equipment
Make notes and take photos of any damages you find. Most hurricane insurance carriers require at least photographs when you submit a storm damage insurance claim.
You might be tempted to start repairing things yourself, especially if an urgent repair to damaged windows, siding, or roofing can prevent water damage, but try to resist the urge. The best course of action after making a preliminary assessment is to call in a professional to inspect your property.
Not all storm damage is immediately obvious, and a professional can help find damages that you are not aware of. A professional also should be able to provide you with a more authoritative estimate of the cost of repair or replacement. Submit your storm damage insurance claim as soon as possible after the storm.
The Most Common Types Of Hurricane Damage In Florida
The most common types of hurricane damage in Florida include but are not limited to:
- Broken windows
- Damage from hail or other projectiles
- Destroyed or compromised doors on your home, garage, or other structures
- Damage to or destruction of interior home goods such as appliances or furniture and other interior home goods
- Fire damage from lightning or felled powerlines
- Flooding and/or other water damage
- Damage to cars, boats, and other vehicles
- Property damage to landscaping, sheds, pools, and other costly outdoor fixtures
- Lifted roofing
- Damaged or destroyed roof shingles, siding, and gutters
- Structural damage to your home’s walls, porches, and outer buildings
Hiring A Law Firm For An Insurance Company Dispute
Florida storms with strong winds and heavy rains can turn your life upside down in a matter of minutes. The last thing you need after seeing your home damaged and property destroyed is an insurance company that tries to delay, deny, or underpay your storm damage insurance claim when you have paid your annual premiums regularly.
Vargas Gonzalez Baldwin Delombard, LLP, is here to help you submit storm and hurricane damage insurance claims properly in good time, and to advocate on your behalf to help you obtain a positive outcome. If necessary, one of our experienced storm damage lawyers will represent you in court proceedings to help you receive a reasonable settlement in your insurance claim dispute.
What You Should Do After a Hurricane
Standard weather protective measures usually are not strong enough to withstand powerful hurricanes in Florida. Follow these steps if your home suffered minor or extensive damage:
Inspect the Damage
Inspect all areas of your property and call in a professional to thoroughly assess the damage. Make notes and take photos of all hurricane damage. Take photos from different angles, and check that the date and time can be seen on the images. You may need to enable the timestamp function on your camera.
Cover Damaged Property
Some insurance carriers will do their best not to cover hurricane damage. For example, companies that offer coverage for roof repairs might argue that they cannot separate hurricane damage from damage caused by the homeowner’s negligence, such as lack of maintenance, or natural wear and tear. Do not let your insurers try to use the right of denial on your storm damage insurance claim. Cover the damaged area and keep it protected until you have filed your hurricane damage insurance claims.
File Your Insurance Claim As Soon As Possible
You might be tempted to file your hurricane damage claim within minutes of the weather calming down, but that is a temptation you should resist. It’s better to wait until you have reviewed the appropriate sections of your policy, had a professional inspect and assess the damage, and documented all the damage to your property. Know your legal rights and if you need help, contact Orlando-based attorneys with the relevant practice areas.
How Hurricane Damage Claims Attorneys Can Help
You do not need a storm damage lawyer to help you file your insurance claim. However, an experienced lawyer with a top law firm can help you to review the applicable sections of your policy, meet the insurance company claim submission requirements, file the claim as soon as possible, and obtain a fair settlement.
If you are confused or feel frustrated while trying to understand your homeowner’s insurance policy, you are not alone. It’s normal for people to feel that way, especially when dealing with the stress of property damage caused by a hurricane or storm. One of the experienced storm and hurricane damage attorneys from our law offices can assist you with:
- Gathering evidence of the damage
- Helping you to review your policy and identify the relevant coverages
- Reviewing your claim and hiring professionals to accurately evaluate your losses
- Advocating for the compensation you deserve
- Assisting you to file an appeal if your insurance company denies your initial claim
- Fighting for you in court if your insurance carrier refuses to provide you with reasonable compensation
Insurance Companies Might Try To Shortchange You
Hurricanes and storms affect numerous homes in the same geographic area. When this happens, an insurance company tries their best to undervalue, deny, or delay claims.
Take a closer look at these common obstacles that insurance companies put in the way of compensating hurricane and storm damage claims.
Undervaluing Claims
Many insurance carriers undervalue and undercompensate claims during hurricane season. Understandably, many property owners are hesitant to accept an initial insurance offer, as they are worried about needing to raise additional funds quickly to cover the total cost of repairing the storm damage.
If you think your insurance company has deliberately undervalued your claim, contact a hurricane attorney for expert legal services.
Denying Claims
Most home insurance policies include various limitations and exclusions that can be confusing. Insurers often try to use those limitations and exclusions to reduce not only the risk of loss but also their actual losses, which are the payouts they should make to clients whose properties are affected.
If you believe your insurance provider denied your storm damage claim and you were not treated fairly, a hurricane damage lawyer at can help.
Delaying Claims
Some central Florida homeowners insurance companies use various tactics to delay storm damage insurance claims. Those tactics may include repeatedly asking for unnecessary information, unreasonably delaying site inspections, and unreasonably delaying processing your claim.
Vargas Gonzalez Baldwin Delombard, LLP attorneys offer assistance if you feel your insurance company is deliberately delaying your claim or refuses to pay.
Filing Multiple Storm Damage Insurance Claims
Due to the incredibly destructive nature of storms, you may need to file multiple hurricane damage claims. Having a lawyer at your side can make the claims process smoother, especially if your carrier acts in bad faith and won’t pay out.
Vargas Gonzalez Baldwin Delombard, LLP, Is Here To Help
Vargas Gonzalez Baldwin Delombard, LLP, is one of the best law firms handling tropical storm and hurricane damage insurance claims in Orlando, Florida. Our hurricane damage lawyers work tirelessly to achieve positive outcomes for our central Florida clients; better than they could achieve on their own – and we have a proven success rate.
Take your first steps toward receiving the compensation you deserve for your property that suffered storm damage. Contact a hurricane damage lawyer and set up a free consultation regarding your insurance claim today.
