As Hurricane Debby slowly moved along the Gulf Coast and across Florida’s North Central area, it brought with it torrential rain storms that lingered for days. One of the communities most affected by the storm was Gainesville, which endured flash floods, 65 mph winds, and mass power outages. Like much of Alachua County, Gainesville was especially susceptible to serious property damage from fallen trees and even saw a massive sinkhole develop in Newberry’s Avalon Woods development off U.S. 41.
While most homeowners in Gainesville have insurance policies to cover storm damage, the high number of claims has led some insurance companies to deny valid claims, offer lower payouts, or unnecessarily delay claims.
If you’re struggling to get the payout you’re owed in the aftermath of Hurricane Debby, hiring a hurricane insurance claim lawyer may be the best way to get results. Hurricane damage attorneys can help you understand the intricacies of your policy, gather evidence to appeal rejected claims and get you essential coverage during your time of need. Florin|Roebig has experienced Gainesville hurricane lawyers standing by to help.
What Are Your Options If Your Home Is Affected By Hurricane Debby?
Numerous homeowners in Gainesville experienced property damage from Hurricane Debby, including strong winds, flooding, and other disturbances. This damage may result in unsafe living conditions. Therefore, if you think your home is no longer safe to inhabit, it’s important to relocate to a secure location right away. Subsequently, you can explore your options by reviewing your insurance policies.
Common policies that may cover hurricane damage include:
- Homeowners’ insurance
- Windstorm insurance
- Flood insurance
- Comprehensive coverage
As part of Florida’s Gulf Coast region, residents living in Gainesville may not have windstorm damage coverage under their homeowners’ insurance and rarely have automatic coverage for flood damage. Make sure you’re considering all insurance policies you have and check the fine print.
It’s also important to know how long you have to file a home damage claim. According to Florida statute 627.70132, Florida residents have up to one year (12 months) to file a property insurance claim after Hurricane Debby made landfall. Homeowners should note that this timeline is different than Hurricane Ian, where you were given two years to file a claim.
If your insurance claim has been denied or if the insurance company is offering less than it should under your policy, you may consider hiring an experienced hurricane claim attorney to explore your legal options and take action against the company.
What Damages Can A Hurricane Or Tropical Storm Cause?
Hurricanes and tropical storms can do serious widespread damage with their fierce winds and heavy rainfall, including long-term and less obvious damage.
Common types of hurricane damage include:
- Wind damage: Hurricane winds can reach incredible speeds strong enough to rip apart roofs and other building parts, uproot trees, and hurl heavy objects through the air, damaging property and creating serious hazards. Furthermore, the abrupt changes in wind speed and direction can cause tornadoes, doing further damage.
- Water damage: Heavy rainfall from hurricanes can lead to flooding, which can irreparably damage cars and personal items and sweep away vehicles at levels as low as 12 inches. Standing water can also cause damage over time.
- Structural damage: Just about every part of a house is susceptible to storm damage from both wind and water, including windows, roofs, walls, and foundations.
- Power outages: Heavy winds and fallen trees can down power lines, leading to mass power outages. In areas like Florida, this can expose people to dangerous levels of heat and may require residents to move out until the power returns.
Hurricane and tropical storm damages are not always immediately apparent. Flooding and heat can cause mold, and trees can fall after the storm when the saturated ground becomes loose.
Gainesville residents can incur serious financial costs, including replacing spoiled food, staying at a hotel, fixing or replacing damaged vehicles, home repair, debris cleanup, and more.
Storm victims pay for hurricane insurance to help cover the potential tens of thousands of dollars or more they face due to property damage from hurricanes like Debby. This is why it’s particularly devastating to get a claim unfairly rejected or to get far less than you should.
You don’t have to accept underhanded practices from insurance companies. Contact Florin|Roebig today to see what legal options you may have to get the coverage you deserve.
How Did Hurricane Debby Affect Gainesville, Florida?
Due to its location near Florida’s Gulf Coast, where Hurricane Debby made landfall in the United States, Gainesville was one of the areas in the direct path of the hurricane. As it was downgraded to a Tropical Storm, Debby had sustained winds of 65 mph in the greater Gainesville area, subjecting residents to heavy rain and flooding. Gainesville residents received multiple flash flood warnings. A heavily wooded area, Gainesville also faced an increased threat from falling trees and heavy branches being snapped by the powerful winds.
Thousands of Alachua County residents faced power outages, dangerous downed power lines, and heavy amounts of debris in the aftermath of the storm. In addition, the high heat levels in the area pose additional risks for Gainesville residents without A/C.
Our Featured Case Results
What To Do If Your Insurance Claim Is Denied After A Hurricane
After a destructive storm like Hurricane Debby, it can be devastating to face an insurance claim denial. Unfortunately, insurance companies are more likely to look for reasons to deny people after big storms like this, when the amount of claim filings is high.
Common reasons for denied hurricane insurance claims include:
- Missed Deadlines: You didn’t file the claim on time
- Lack of coverage: You don’t have coverage for the damage you filed for, such as flood damage
- Pre-existing damage: The damage was there before the storm
- Failure to mitigate damage: The damage is more extensive than it should be because you didn’t take action to prevent further damage after the storm
- Inadequate documentation: You didn’t document the damage or weren’t detailed enough
- Inadequate preparation: You didn’t take proper precautions like boarding up windows before the hurricane
If your claim is denied:
- Read the denial letter: Your insurance company is required to give a reason they denied your claim.
- Review your insurance policy: Carefully read over your policy to see if the reason for denial is clearly stipulated there.
- Ask your insurer questions: Contact an insurance agent for more information or to clear up any misunderstandings regarding the policy or your denial letter.
- Gather evidence: If you think your claim is valid, prepare to appeal the denial. This will require evidence showing why the denial is incorrect.
- Reach out to a lawyer: A hurricane insurance attorney can provide the legal expertise you need to overturn the claim denial. Contact an experienced lawyer in Gainesville, Florida area to discuss your legal options.
You generally need two things to file a hurricane claim appeal: a letter explaining why you believe the denial was wrong and supporting evidence. You should find the steps to file an appeal on your insurance company’s website or by calling them.
How Can A Hurricane Damage Lawyer Help?
Getting legal assistance for hurricane damage can be your best option if your claim was incorrectly denied or if you’re facing other issues with your insurance company following Hurricane Debby or another storm.
A hurricane claim attorney can:
- Provide legal expertise in hurricane and storm-related claims
- Assist with documentation and evidence collection
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Represent clients in court if necessary
Consider hiring a hurricane damage lawyer to:
- Challenge denied claims: Not all claim denials are legitimate and companies have an incentive to deny claims after large storms. You may not have the expertise to effectively challenge an insurance company and may already be overwhelmed after the storm. A hurricane damage lawyer can confirm if your claim was wrongly denied and help you file an effective appeal.
- Prevent reduced payouts: In some cases, insurance companies will simply lowball policyholders to keep as much profit as possible after far-reaching storms like Hurricane Debby. Hurricane claim attorneys can negotiate on your behalf to get you the payout you deserve.
- Avoid delays: Another tactic insurance companies may use to deal with the high volume of claims after a hurricane is to intentionally delay claims. Insurers are required to respond to and pay claims by a certain time and getting your check sooner rather than later can be essential for avoiding further damage to your home. Lawyers will hold the insurance company accountable for processing your claim when they should.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
How to Get Help From A Qualified Insurance Claims Attorney
Finding a hurricane lawyer with the experience and skill to effectively challenge insurance companies can be difficult, but you can watch out for specific traits to find a qualified attorney for your hurricane insurance claim.
Criteria for choosing a qualified insurance claims attorney include:
- Specialization: Look for a lawyer who specializes in hurricane damage claims and knows Florida-specific insurance laws.
- Past successes: The law firm you go with should have a long history of successful cases.
- Social proof: Positive reviews and testimonials are signs of a good law firm.
- Trial experience: In rare cases, going to trial may be necessary to receive your claim. Make sure you have an insurance claims attorney with previous trial experience.
You should speak to the attorney you’re considering before hiring them. Asking certain questions can help you narrow down the best choice for your case.
Some questions to ask during an initial consultation include:
- Will you personally be handling my claim or will another attorney?
- What experience do you have with hurricane insurance claims?
- When was the last time you handled a hurricane claims case?
- What are the potential outcomes of my case?
To find the best hurricane lawyers in Gainesville, when you can, get referrals from people you trust. There are also community referral services you can turn to. Ads and online searches can also be helpful, but make sure you go through the steps above to get the right attorney for you.
Florin|Roebig’s experienced insurance claims attorneys are happy to answer all of your questions and help you get the legal assistance you need. If you’re interested in seeking legal advice from our team, you can contact our offices to schedule an appointment.
- Our website, florinroebig.com, has an option for requesting more information.
- You can call our phone number 24/7
- For more information regarding our services and free consultations, you can email us at [email protected]
In the aftermath of Hurricane Debby, you may be relying on the insurance company you pay to hold up their end of the bargain, but, unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. If you’re having trouble getting a fair payout after sustaining property damage from Hurricane Debby, don’t accept unfair practices and shoulder a bigger financial burden than you have to. The attorneys at Florin|Roebig can determine if you have a valid claim against your insurance company and outline your legal options. Contact Florin|Roebig today for a free consultation.
Additional Tips and Resources
Here is a list of three free resources if you need help after a Florida hurricane:
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Website: www.fema.gov
Phone: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
Description: FEMA offers financial assistance to homeowners and renters affected by natural disasters, covering housing needs and other disaster-related expenses.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Website: www.floridadisaster.org
Phone: (850) 815-4000
Description: As Florida’s primary state agency for disaster coordination, they offer resources, information, and recovery efforts for those affected by disasters in Florida.
Florida’s 2-1-1 Helpline
Website: www.211.org
Phone: Dial 2-1-1
Description: By connecting residents to vital community services, Florida’s 2-1-1 offers support for those in crisis, including resources for post-hurricane home damage.
Hurricane Damage and Insurance Claims FAQ
How long does it take for homeowners’ insurance to pay a claim in Gainesville?
Within 60 days of receiving a property insurance claim from a policyholder, the insurer must either pay or deny the claim (or part of the claim), unless the failure to pay is due to factors beyond the insurer’s control.
How do I know if a Gainesville contractor is trustworthy?
After a storm, home repair scams are common. To lower your risk, get estimates from multiple contractors, check their credentials, ask for a detailed contract with no blank spaces, and only pay a reasonable deposit (with a check or credit card) before work begins.
Will my homeowners’ policy cover flood damage?
Homeowners’ policies rarely cover flood damage in Gainesville, Florida. However, you should always check your policy carefully before accepting a claim denial based on a lack of coverage. Call a hurricane claims attorney if you’re unsure.
