Hurricane Ian stormed from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Ocean across lower and central Florida. The storm devastated many Florida communities. If your family suffered property damage because of the storm, you can seek compensation through an insurance claim. Our Estero Hurricane Ian lawyer from GED Lawyers could help you fight for compensation from your insurance company.
Whether you need assistance with an initial claim filing or are fighting to appeal a denial of your claim, our hurricane response team is prepared to fight for you. Hurricane Ian’s aftermath has devastated Estero homeowners. Insurance companies may be overwhelmed, but that doesn’t mean you should have to wait for the compensation you need.
Work With Our Estero Hurricane Ian Lawyer for Help With Your Claim
There are many benefits to having an attorney working on your claim after a hurricane as devastating as Hurricane Ian. Insurance companies are in business to make a profit. They experience a big draw on their cash flow when a catastrophic event happens. To combat the outflow of cash, they may initially deny a significant number of claims or try to settle for an amount below the degree of damage you suffered.
Our Hurricane Ian property damage claims lawyer will assist in many ways, including:
- Clarifying the details of your homeowner’s insurance policy to determine what your policy covers
- Providing guidance in dealing with insurance adjusters
- Documenting the damage Hurricane Ian caused to your property
- Fighting against claim denials
When you hire our legal representatives, they will be familiar with the insurance company’s tactics. Our hurricane response team will communicate with your insurer to ensure you receive the compensation needed to repair your home. Our team can review documents before you sign them to confirm that you are not signing away any of your rights or agreeing to a lower payment than you deserve.
What Hurricane Damage does Your Homeowner’s Insurance Cover?
The coverage your insurance provides depends on the policy you purchased. When a hurricane blows through, your insurance coverage may cover some, but not all, of the damage done to your property.
If you purchased a standard homeowner’s insurance policy, it will likely cover hurricane damage done by wind. If debris was blown into your home, for example, your insurer could compensate you for this damage. Flood insurance must typically be purchased separately. If your home flooded, we will have to read through your insurance policy to check if you purchased flood coverage.
Recognizing a Bad Faith Insurance Company
Despite regulations governing the insurance industry, you may occasionally come in contact with a company that is more interested in its bottom line. If you suspect your insurer of acting in bad faith, seeking legal counsel can help you hold them accountable.
Some of the signs that an insurer might be acting in bad faith include:
- Excessive delays in processing your claim
- False determinations about when and how your damage occurred
- Misstating your policy coverage to exclude your claim
- Offering a lower settlement offer for your damages than you deserve
- Undue pressure to have you sign a release to receive your settlement
After a storm like Hurricane Ian, you might expect slight delays in claim approval due to the number of claims they are processing. Our Estero Hurricane Ian lawyer can assist you throughout the process of filing your claim.
Providing Proof of Your Losses Can Help Your Estero Case
To prevent your claim from being denied, you should have proof of everything you are including in your claim. Documentation of your damages begins before a storm. If you have time, take photos of your property before a storm hits, including all structures, inside and out. Many people keep a record of their homes in a fire and waterproof storage container, such as a small safe.
When a storm hits, document everything. A standard recommendation is to maintain a single notebook to keep all your information in one place. Start by writing down your insurance information, including your agent’s name and phone number, as well as your policy number. Once the storm hits, add notes about your property and any damage you have from the storm.
Some of the information you should keep in a notebook or file includes:
- Names and contact information for your insurance company
- Names and phone numbers (with extensions) of anyone you speak with
- Letters and emails to or from your insurance company representative
- Notes about conversations with insurance adjusters
Use photos and videos to enhance your documentation. Before and after images can show your actual damages more readily than verbal or written descriptions. An Estero Hurricane Ian lawyer can assist in placing a value on your loss using your collected evidence.
Understanding and Meeting Filing Deadlines
Per Florida Statutes § 627.70132, you may have as long as three years to file a claim for property damage. It is best not to wait so you can rebuild and return your property to a functional state quicker.
You may risk losing your claim if you submit an insurance claim after the filing deadline. It is crucial to file promptly and check your claim approval. Our team can help you follow this filing deadline.
Handling Hurricane Ian Claim Denials in Estero
Despite your efforts to compile a strong case, your insurance claim can still be denied. Some of the reasons for claim denial can include the following:
- Your policy doesn’t cover your specific damage
- The insurance company thinks the damage existed before the storm
- You did not provide enough information in your claim
In some instances, an insurance adjuster may attempt to claim that your damage was caused by something other than Hurricane Ian. It is crucial to correct any false reasons for denial by providing documentation of the damages. Claim denials can significantly delay the repair of your property. Our hurricane response team can assist you in building a strong appeal.
Contact Our Firm for Help With a Hurricane Ian Claim in Estero
At GED Lawyers, we understand your family is dealing with a lot of stress in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. We are here to help you get the financial recovery you need.
If you have questions about working with our Estero Hurricane Ian attorney, please reach out to us at any time. We can provide a free consultation when you contact us.
