Located in Volusia County, Daytona Beach is a city on Florida’s Atlantic coast. The population in the town is 77,958, according to the 2022 Census.
Hurricane Milton hit Daytona Beach with powerful winds, rain, and flooding that left over 24,000 residents without power. The storm led to at least 24 confirmed deaths across the state and left thousands with insurmountable damage to their homes and property.
Those who have experienced property damage may need to file a claim with their homeowner’s insurance to receive the compensation they are entitled to. Navigating insurance claims and challenges with your insurance company can be quite daunting, which is where the expert attorneys of Florin|Roebig come in.
Our board-certified attorneys have over 30 years of experience and a proven track record of winning over $1 billion in compensation for our clients. Contact Florin|Roebig today for a free consultation and help filing your hurricane damage insurance claim.
Attorney Hal Weitzenfeld says, “We’re no stranger to the devastating effects of Florida hurricanes at Florin|Roebig. Let us guide you through this difficult time by making the claims process as smooth as possible.”
What Are Your Options If Your Home Is Affected by Hurricane Milton?
If you’ve experienced the aftermath of Hurricane Milton as a Daytona Beach resident, you may be wondering what to do next. It’s important to first focus on the health of yourself and your loved ones. From there, you’ll want to take a few steps to address the damage done to your home.
Document All Storm Damage
If you were ordered to evacuate, you may not be able to return to your home right away. Once you are cleared to do so, you’ll want to assess and document any damage the storm made to your home and property.
The idea behind documenting damage is to provide proof for your insurance company. Providing documentation of damage in your claim can simplify the process of getting the maximum amount of coverage you’re entitled to.
Be sure to take pictures and videos of any visible damage to your house or property that was caused by the hurricane. This can be helpful later in court if your claim is denied and you need to take legal action.
Patch Where Possible
Depending on the extent of the damage, you’ll want to make temporary repairs or patch things up where possible after documenting the aftermath.
Temporary repairs can help prevent further damage to your belongings and make your home liveable if the damage is not extreme.
Read Your Homeowner’s Policy
Once you’ve assessed the damage and documented it, it’s important to read and review your homeowner’s policy to better understand your coverage.
Being familiar with the details of your insurance plan can help prepare you for filing a claim. You should be able to get a better idea of how much your plan will cover, what your deductible may be, and what type of damage will be covered.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
After documenting damages and reviewing your insurance policy, you should contact your insurance provider to file a claim. Be sure to have your documentation and any relevant policy information handy to make the process smoother.
Claims typically need to be made within a certain time frame following the incident, so keep an eye out for this window in your policy and make sure to file a claim as soon as possible.
Get The Damage Assessed
Your insurance company will task an insurance adjuster to come out to your home and inspect the damages documented in your claim. It’s important that you are present for any inspections as the insurance adjuster will be able to provide estimates for repairs or have professionals come to assess the costs. If you feel as though the estimates are not accurate, don’t be afraid to speak up.
Apply For Government Assistance
In addition to insurance coverage, it’s important to know that there are several opportunities for government assistance to help cover additional costs related to the storm. Look to the Daytona Beach and Volusia County websites and social media accounts for more information on government assistance through FEMA and other resources.
Hire a Hurricane Damage Lawyer
Unfortunately, insurance claims are not always an easy process and can come with many obstacles, especially during an influx of claims after a catastrophic storm. It’s vital to have an expert on your side to advocate for your rights and compensation. The seasoned attorneys of Florin|Roebig are ready to get the job done.
What Damages Can A Hurricane Like Milton Cause?
A powerful hurricane like Hurricane Milton can have absolutely detrimental effects on homes, property, and the well-being of Florida residents. In order to file your insurance claim and ensure you receive as much compensation as possible, it’s important to fully understand what types of damage are possible and how they play a role in your claim.
Not all damage may be easily visible, so you’ll want to do a bit of inspecting to make sure all damage is accounted for.
Possible types of damage due to Hurricane Milton include:
Water Damage and Flooding: With heavy rain and flooding, many homes and other kinds of property may have experienced flooding and water damage. The water can not only damage the foundation of your home but also your belongings and eventually lead to mold growth.
Wind Damage: Extreme winds such as those from Hurricane Milton could have also caused damage to your house. This is because the high-force winds and resulting tornadoes can cause debris and other dangerous items to damage your home.
Structural Damage: Structural damage may be harder to identify at first glance, so it’s important to proceed with caution when entering a building that appears to be standing following a hurricane. Torn walls, roof damage, and a weakened foundation are all forms of structural damage that could occur.
Landscaping and External Damage: Exterior structures and your yard may have also incurred damage from the storm. With little to no protection from the elements, even if your home seemed to make it through, your external property may have suffered damages.
Personal Property Damage: Personal property such as furniture, clothing, electronics, and other meaningful/valuable possessions may also be damaged from the storm. Be sure to make note of this and consider what may be covered under your insurance policy.
Secondary Damage: Secondary damages can occur after the storm due to flooding and exposure to the harsh environment. These damages may also be covered, so be sure to review your policy and include them in your claim.
It can be difficult to comprehend all of the damage you have incurred due to a storm. This is why having Florin|Roebig to guide you along the way can be so helpful. Our expert attorneys are qualified to assist you in ensuring all of your damages are accounted for and you receive the payout you deserve.
“At Florin|Roebig, we know exactly how to pull together a comprehensive, well-supported claim,” says attorney Hal Weitzenfeld. “Our attorneys are here to help you organize your evidence and make sure you get the compensation you’re entitled to.”
How Did Hurricane Milton Affect Daytona Beach?
Hurricane Milton affected many parts of Volusia County including Daytona Beach. The county saw a range of six to 12 or more inches of rain as of October 10, 2024 as well as wind gusts ranging from 60 to 87 mph.
Volusia County saw extensive flooding, downed power lines, power outages, and various types of damage. There have also been four confirmed deaths in the county.
Dealing with the aftermath of a hurricane can be stressful, overwhelming, and even emotionally traumatic. Florin|Roebig is here to help take some of the pressure off of your shoulders by guiding you through the claims process and making sure your insurance company doesn’t act in bad faith.
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What to Do if Your Insurance Claim Is Denied After a Hurricane
We all expect our insurance providers to be there for us in difficult times considering the premiums we pay. This isn’t always the case, unfortunately. In many cases, insurance companies want to protect their bottom line more than anything. When they’re also overwhelmed with claims due to natural disasters, it can be easy for things to slip through the cracks.
If your insurance company does any of the following things, contact Florin|Roebig law firm immediately:
- Your adjuster will not pick up the phone, gives you the wrong number, or is not returning your calls.
- You are given a settlement offer that is not enough to repair the damage done to your property.
- Your insurer says the damage is worth less than your deductible amount.
- Your insurance claim is denied.
- Your insurance claim is accepted, but the process is taking too long or your insurer is delaying payment.
- Your insurer claims that you need a separate flood insurance policy to cover the damages.
At Florin|Roebig, our lawyers have years of experience to know the ins and outs of hurricane insurance claims. Our job is to be your voice and make sure you are treated with the respect and compassion you deserve.
How Can a Hurricane Damage Lawyer Help?
Hiring a hurricane damage lawyer like the reputable and reliable ones of Florin|Roebig ensures you have an experienced professional on your side during the sometimes tumultuous insurance claim filing process.
A property damage lawyer can help by:
- Helping to collect evidence including repair estimates, expert opinions, and pictures and videos to bolster your claim
- Negotiate the maximum compensation under your insurance policy and get into the weeds of insurance company jargon
- Represent you in court if your company does not comply
The offices of Florin|Roebig are no stranger to the tricks insurance companies may try to pull when you file a claim. Let us take the wheel and make sure you get the money you are owed.
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How To Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
The attorneys at Florin|Roebig offer free consultations to help you decide whether hiring a lawyer is the right thing to do.
You deserve to be compensated after a disaster like Hurricane Milton or Hurricane Helene. You pay your insurance premium, so your insurer should pay your claim.
Reach out to the offices of Florin|Roebig today to discuss your situation or schedule your free case evaluation:
- Fill out our online form anytime, and we’ll get back to you promptly.
- Call the phone number for your area 24/7.
- Use our chat feature day or night.
