Every June through November is hurricane season, and Florida often feels the brunt of these mighty storms. They can damage and destroy homes, vehicles, commercial property, more. Thankfully, Goldman & Daszkal’s property damage attorney is here to help in your time of need.
Property owners file claims with their insurance companies to recover compensation after hurricane damage. Insurance companies, though, are notoriuos for offering lowball settlements or finding reasons to deny claims altogether. That’s where your property damage attorney can help. Your attorney knows how to build value for your claim and get the maximum settlement from insurance companies.
Common Damages Covered in a Hurricane Damage Claim
If you live in a hurricane-prone area like South Florida, you likely have flood and windstorm insurance policies or riders in addition to your standard homeowners’ insurance. Most hurricane insurance policies cover the following type of damages:
- Roof and vinyl siding damage
- Debris removal associated with property damage
- Water damage to floors, walls, and ceilings
- Tree and shrub damage
- Hurricane-related fires or explosions
- Storm damaged windows
- Water or wind damage to household appliances and personal belongings
Filing a hurricane damage claim
To file a claim and receive a payout on your insurance policy, you must document the damage from the hurricane. Take pictures or videos of all storm-related damage and gather current repair expense bills and receipts. Working with your lawyer to gather and preserve evidence is vital to making a successful claim. Your attorney will help you understand the evidence can best support your claim. They also can estimate the cost of renovations and replacement costs with the help of property damage expert witnesses.
Know Your Hurricane Insurance
Homeowners’ policies cover 50 to 70 percent of the damage to a house’s structure. Your attorney will review your policy with you so you know the costs of repairing your home.
Many insurers covering hurricane-prone homes include hurricane deductibles in their policies. Your policy may refer to it as a windstorm, named storm, or hurricane deductible. The hurricane deductible in your policy can range from 1 to 5%.
In Florida, insurers must offer deductible options for hurricanes, including $500, 2%, 5%, and 10% options. For example. you have a policy with a 5% deductible and your home is insured for $400,000. In this case, your insurance does not cover the first $20,000 in damages. Your lawyer will review your insurance policy to help you interpret deductible clauses in your hurricane insurance coverage.
Your Property Damage Attorney Can Help
Goldman & Daszkal’s South Florida property damage attorney is here to help in your time of need. We are here to ensure you get the maximum compensation available for hurricane damage to your home and property. We’re also here to help you understand your insurance policy and calculate the value of your claim. If you suffer hurricane damage to your home, you don’t have to face the insurance companies alone. Contact Goldman & Daszkal to get the compensation you deserve.