Hurricane Sally, the Category 2 hurricane that made landfall in Florida during September 2020, impacted conditions for citizens of Fort Walton Beach, and brought up to 25 inches of rain, analysts say. As evacuated residents return to their homes, it’s important to understand how to manage insurance claims and denials.
Why Have Hurricane Insurance Coverage In Fort Walton Beach?
Florida’s homeowners insurance laws do not require homes to be insured. That said, a state association called Citizens Property Insurance Corp, exists making insurance more accessible to Floridians in all areas of the state, in all income brackets.
Moreover, conventional lenders will require insurance which means most people who buy homes in Florida are required to insure their asset, anyway. That’s a good thing considering the hurricane season Floridians experience in the Atlantic Basin each year. Because of the unique weather activity in Florida, homeowner’s insurance must legally cover windstorm damage for Fort Walton Beach homeowners.While this may leave some homeowners feeling covered in the event of a weather emergency, it’s a little misleading. Windstorm coverage may not be the only coverage you need for hurricane damage.
That’s because some Florida homeowners are required to buy a separate type of insurance to insure their home, called flood insurance. While windstorm damage insurance may cover some types of flooding (that which occurs due to wind damage), other forms of flooding (like that which occurs due to heavy rain or storm surge) may not be covered.
Florida is a low elevation state with only 345 feet above sea level at its highest point. For this reason, all home locations are assessed based on the likelihood of flooding and zoned in specific flood zones. The most high-risk areas will need to secure flood insurance to complete their conventional loan process at the time of buying a house. However, many citizens of Fort Walton Beach may not be required to buy flood insurance, but that doesn’t mean they are immune from flood damage.
If you’ve had a flooding claim denied, call the hurricane lawyers at Florin|Roebig.
Hurricane Sally Damage In Fort Walton Beach
As Sally slowed closer and closer to a Category 1 hurricane while it dropped rain on top of Fort Walton Beach residents, it still sustained hurricane force winds and heavy rain. When hurricanes begin to slow over land they take longer to move over cities and can cause additional flooding and storm surge as a result. Fort Walton Beach residence, who are in the panhandle on the gulf, experienced the following types of damage to their property:
- Flooding from wind damage
- Flooding from storm surge
- Flooding from heavy rains penetration seals on windows and doors
- Wind damage like damage to roofs, siding and damage from projectiles
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What To Do If Your Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
Did you have a Hurricane Sally claim denied in Fort Walton Beach? Here’s what you need to do next:
- Create a paper trail: Submit plenty of photos of the damage, in good light, from different angles and submit it with your claim. Keep copies of everything you submit for your own files and keep copies of correspondences about your claim with the insurance company.
- Gather information: With all of your documents already collected together, you are ready for a consultation with Florin|Roebig to discuss your claim.
- Contact Florin Roebig: If you contact the law firm of Florin|Roebig, a live person will be there to help you.
- Talk to your insurance company: Don’t lose touch with your insurance provider. The best resolution is an amicable one that results in your claim being processed.
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Hurricane Damage Insurance Claims Lawyer In Fort Walton Beach, FL
Your initial claim may be puzzling given that, in Florida, additional policies may be required for your claim to be processed quickly. If you find yourself on the receiving end of a hurricane damage claim denial, you need a storm attorney who knows Florida law and how to work within it to get compensation for your claim.
Whether you have windstorm insurance and flood insurance or just windstorm insurance, and your Fort Walton Beach insurance claim was denied, Florin|Roebig can help you.
Adjusters have lawyers operating on their side. You want a lawyer who keeps your priorities first in mind and who operates with skill, integrity and experience. That’s what we offer you. The legal professionals at the law firm of Florin|Roebig understand Florida insurance regulations. Call us today for a free hurricane damage claim evaluation in Fort Walton Beach.
