Cape Coral is a city situated beside the Gulf of Mexico in Lee County, Florida—adjacent to Fort Myers. The city’s population was over 194,000 as of the 2020 Census, making it the 130th most populated city in the United States.
Like other areas along Florida’s gulf coast, Cape Coral is prone to damage from hurricanes, especially during peak season which occurs roughly from June to November. Contact Florin|Roebig for help with your hurricane insurance claim now. Our law firm is recommended not just by former clients, but by our law firm peers throughout the state of Florida.
How Hurricanes Cause Property Damage in Cape Coral, Florida
In late September 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall just a few miles from Cape Coral along the southwest coast of Florida. The natural disaster caused widespread catastrophic damage across south Florida.
Cape Coral was hard-hit by flood damage, storm surge damage, and wind damage during Hurricane Ian. Many property owners returned to the area to find their homes and businesses heavily damaged or destroyed.
Fortunately, you can make a hurricane damage insurance claim if your home or business was damaged by a natural disaster. If the insurance company won’t respond or tries not to pay your claim, Florin|Roebig can help. To date, we’ve helped our clients win over $1 billion in settlement awards.
What Areas Of Cape Coral Were Hit Hardest By Hurricane Ian
- Tarpon Point: Located in Southwest Cape Coral, Tarpon Point is a gated waterfront community that features high-end luxury homes and condos. Many of the properties were destroyed by Hurricane Ian with storm surges reaching 12 feet.
- Cape Harbour: This area is known for its upscale amenities, including a marina, boutique shops, fine dining restaurants, and live entertainment. Hurricane Ian not only destroyed many houses but also completely leveled the beautiful marina and many of the restaurants and bars in Cape Harbour.
- Hermitage: Located in Southeast Cape Coral, Hermitage is a gated community that features custom-built homes on oversized lots. Category 5 Hurricane Ian ripped many of these roofs creating water damage and mold for residents.
- Hancock: This residential area has a mix of single-family homes and multi-family buildings. The neighborhood is known for its affordable housing options and convenient location to nearby amenities such as shopping, dining, and recreational activities. Hurricane Ian caused much destruction to this neighborhood because of the flooding mainly.
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What To Do After Hurricane Ian Damages Your Cape Coral Property
Hurricane Ian caused devastating wind and water damage to many properties in Cape Coral. It’s hard enough having your property damaged in a hurricane, but if your insurance company acts in bad faith, this makes things even more difficult.
If you have insurance coverage for the type of damage that your property suffered in Hurricane Ian, you should be covered. Follow the steps below to give yourself the best chance of getting compensated after a hurricane.
1. Prioritize Safety
Hurricane Ian has passed, but dangerous conditions still exist in some of the hardest-hit areas along the Gulf Coast of Florida, including Naples, Bonita Springs, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, and Cape Coral.
Always follow guidelines from officials and never enter a closed area to access your property. Avoid stagnant standing water, sharp objects, and other dangerous obstacles.
2. Assess And Document The Damage
Once it is safe to access your property, it’s important to assess the damage your home or business has sustained and thoroughly document it.
Take photos and videos of your entire property, not just the obvious damage. Damage can sometimes be hard to spot with the untrained eye.
If you experience a claim denial later on, your documentation can serve as important evidence to fight for a payout.
3. Make The Necessary Repairs
You can make temporary repairs if necessary to make your property safe to use. Be sure to keep all receipts for materials or labor, as these costs can be reimbursed later on in the claims process.
4. Read Your Insurance Policy
Do not speak with an insurance adjuster until you have read your policy in its entirety. You should understand your coverage under your homeowner’s insurance policy. This will help to prevent confusion in the insurance claims process.
Most Florida property insurance includes hurricane damage coverage, but this is not always the case. Make sure you understand your coverage before making a hurricane insurance claim.
5. File An Insurance Claim
You should call your insurance company to file a claim as soon as possible. No damage is too minor or severe to qualify for a claim.
Your policy likely has time limits that require you to file a claim quickly after your property sustains damage. Hidden damage can reveal itself months or years later when it is too late to file a claim. So, call your insurance company soon after your property has been affected.
6. Get An Estimate For The Damage
Policyholders should never rely solely on their insurance companies to give an accurate estimate for the cost of repairs to a home or business.
You should have a reputable contractor who specializes in hurricane damage assess your property as soon as possible. They can give an estimate for the cost of repairs, and they might find damage that you were not aware of.
You can use this estimate as evidence to fight for a fair insurance payout if your insurer tries to offer a lowball settlement.
7. Hire A Hurricane Damage Insurance Claims Lawyer
If you are struggling to file your claim or get the money that your insurance company should be paying you, the next step is to hire a hurricane damage lawyer.
An expert Florida hurricane damage claims lawyer, like the ones at Florin|Roebig, can go head-to-head with your insurance company to get you the money you deserve.
Florin|Roebig lawyers are board-certified and named to the Best Lawyers in America list. They will not be intimidated by the insurance companies or back down without fighting for fair compensation for your claim.
Types Of Hurricane Damage Covered by Homeowners Insurance
When you file a homeowner’s insurance claim, it’s important to understand what types of damage are covered under your policy.
Most Florida property insurance policies include hurricane coverage such as:
- Damage to windows and glass doors
- Damage to landscaping
- Damage to roofs, siding, and gutters
- Damage to kitchens and bathrooms
- Damage to exterior structures
- Damage to personal property inside or outside the home
- Damage to garages
Most standard insurance policies do not cover the flooding caused by hurricanes. Flood insurance is usually a separate policy that will cover your property against this type of damage.
Even if it seems like the damage was caused by flooding, you should contact an experienced hurricane damage law firm for assistance reviewing your case.
When To Hire A Cape Coral Hurricane Damage Attorney
When disasters like Hurricane Ian strike, many insurance companies may act in bad faith and try to swindle their way out of having to pay for damages.
You pay your premium, so your insurance company should hold up their end of the deal when your property is damaged.
Florin|Roebig is a premier Florida law firm dedicated to helping people get the money they are rightfully owed from insurance companies.
Seek legal representation if you encounter any of the following tactics:
- You are unable to get in touch with your insurance adjuster, or they are not returning your calls within a reasonable amount of time.
- Your insurance company says that your damage is not covered by your policy, or insists that the damage was caused by flooding.
- The insurance company is stalling or taking too long to process your claim and pay for repairs.
- The insurance claim is denied for unfair reasons or without an explanation.
- The insurance company offers a settlement offer, but it is too low and not enough to cover the damage your property has sustained.
Two resources if you or a loved one has suffered damage from a hurricane in Cape Coral:
- FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
- Website: www.fema.gov
- Phone: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
- Description: FEMA provides financial help to homeowners and renters after natural disasters, assisting with housing needs and various other disaster-related expenses.
- Florida Division of Emergency Management
- Website: www.floridadisaster.org
- Phone: (850) 815-4000
- Description: This state agency coordinates disaster response and recovery efforts and provides resources and information to Florida residents affected by disasters.
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Contact A Cape Coral Hurricane Damage Claims Lawyer Today
People in Miami, Tampa, Cape Coral, or anywhere else in Florida who have sustained property damage in Hurricane Ian should know their rights when it comes to insurance claims.
Florin|Roebig law firm is a well-trusted Florida legal team that has been providing the state with quality legal representation since 1985. We work in personal injury law, insurance claims disputes, and more.
Our average case award is $1 million, and we are experienced in trial law and ready to fight for you.
Contact the experienced hurricane damage insurance claims lawyers at Florin|Roebig today to schedule a free consultation.
