Florida Hurricane and Insurance Claims Lawyers
Hurricane damage is a reality of living in the state of Florida. Every hurricane season, the state is threatened with several tropical storms and hurricanes, and some of them make landfall with devastating results. These storms can potentially strike anywhere in the state, and even inland regions can still experience some of the worst effects of a hurricane. This means that no homeowner or property owner is excluded from this serious risk. Property owners may have to deal with flooding, roof damage, fallen trees, leaks, or even the complete destruction of a home or business due to a major hurricane. Even though homeowners may not initially realize the potential for insurance issues after making a claim, Florida hurricane damage claims attorneys also receive a number of inquiries after these storms due to problems with insurance companies and the industry as a whole. Property owners should try to follow all of the relevant rules to make a claim, but also be prepared to get legal assistance when necessary.
Insurance on Florida properties
Just about every property will have at least one insurance policy in place for protection. This can include policies for homeowners insurance, flood insurance for property in coastal areas, and various types of business insurance for commercial properties. Flood insurance must be paid for separately from other types of coverage to protect properties in designated flood zones. Property owners will usually assume that they can document their damage after a storm, submit a claim, and receive a prompt and honest response from their insurance provider. They can then receive financial assistance that covers all of their damage beyond a deductible. However, many who go through the insurance claim process for the first time find out just how frustrating insurance companies can be and they will want to enlist the help of hurricane insurance claims attorneys.
Issues with insurance companies and hurricane damage
Insurance companies tend to be especially problematic to deal with in the aftermath of a major storm that affected the state. They are on notice that they may have to pay out millions of dollars worth of claims, and it is in their financial interest to avoid as many payouts as possible, even if they sometimes resort to unethical or illegal means to save money. There are also practical problems with the administration of a flood of claims that arrive after a hurricane damages thousands of homes and businesses, which increases the chance of mistakes and other issues with getting proper payments to the people in need.
Hurricane damage claims lawyers in Florida are also an important part of this process if a dispute arises, as they help property owners protect their interests and get answers from their insurance provider.
Steps to file and track Florida insurance claims
While insurance companies can cause problems for claimants, there are several steps that homeowners and property owners should follow after a hurricane in Florida to minimize the chance that there will be issues with their insurance company. Documenting all of the damage is important, as the insurance provider will want to know about specific losses before they pay the claimant. This is usually done by taking pictures, keeping a written inventory of valuable items and damage, and an examination by an adjuster to verify the damage. Repair estimates from various contractors can be helpful to help prove the extent of the damage and total costs of restoring the property to its condition prior to the hurricane. It can be helpful if these repair estimates are available to the adjuster when they do their inspection. In terms of timing, the insurance company should also be given notice as soon as possible after the hurricane that the policy holder intends to make a claim, and they will need financial assistance. This is because there are time limits to file a claim, and a property owner who has waited until after this limit has expired will not be able to get any assistance at all. Even after a claim has been filed, the claimant should make an effort to stay in touch with the insurance provider and give them any additional information that they need until the process is completed.
If the insurance company refuses to pay out any money after the claim was submitted and reviewed, or if they stop responding at any point during this process, assistance from hurricane insurance claims lawyers in Florida can be necessary. Experienced hurricane damage claims lawyers will do a number of things on the claimant’s behalf to ensure success.
Hurricane insurance claims lawyers in Florida
There are a number of good reasons why a property owner may want to contact an attorney to discuss their damage following a hurricane. It is important for those who own homes to realize that an insurance company can be sued for things like denying a claim in bad faith or other illegal actions when necessary. In fact this happens regularly, and insurance companies that are taken to court may offer a settlement to avoid further litigation.
First, an insurance company may be unresponsive or evasive until they receive notice from an attorney that they are facing a lawsuit or other serious consequences. Companies within the insurance industry tend to go to great lengths to avoid paying out claims, even when they do so illegally, and taking legal action can be one of the best ways to make them accountable. The Florida hurricane insurance claim lawyer can also review the policies in place, look at what the provider and claimant have done, and see if there are any issues with either the company or the claimant following the active terms. Finally, hurricane damage claims attorneys are able to guide their clients through the insurance claim process in a way that meets their needs and ensures that the insurance provider is following the law and any relevant insurance regulations that are active in Florida.
Additional legal advice is available
Madalon Law is a firm that works with clients in Florida who have hurricane damage issues. People who want to know more about issues related to insurance claims and the legal process can contact their Florida hurricane insurance claims lawyers to schedule a meeting and receive advice.
