With 2024 already a destructive hurricane season, a new early August storm reminded Florida residents that hurricane season is in full effect. Residents are reeling from Hurricane Debby’s path as it made landfall as a Category 1 storm in the Steinhatchee area along the Gulf Coast. People across the state felt Debby’s force including in Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, and Levy counties before the hurricane moved into Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bay area.
Florida residents are accustomed to dealing with severe hurricanes and the extensive damage they can cause, including flooding, possible tornadoes, and destructive winds. The majority of Floridians have homeowner’s insurance or separate hurricane insurance that protects against water damage, wind damage, and other property losses resulting from a major tropical storm like Debby.
Policyholders experiencing difficulty in receiving compensation for damages caused by Hurricane Debby, which should be covered under their insurance policies, may have legal options available to them. Skilled attorneys, like those at the law offices of Florin|Roebig, can help hold the insurance company accountable and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve after the hurricane.
What Are Your Options If Your Home Is Affected By Hurricane Debby?
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.
It is important to know the time limits within your policy and to file your insurance claim as quickly as possible in Hurricane Debby’s aftermath. Doing so gives you plenty of time to fight for compensation should you end up in an insurance dispute.
If your property is covered by your insurance policy, you should not have an issue receiving compensation after Hurricane Debby. However, insurance companies sometimes act in bad faith by refusing to pay for damage that should be covered under a policy. In these cases, you may need to hire an experienced attorney who will advocate for your needs with your insurance company, holding them accountable for the money they owe you.
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What Damages Can A Hurricane Or Tropical Storm Cause?
Hurricane Debby’s heavy rains, damaging storm surge, and strong winds have left major damage across much of the Gulf Coast region of the state of Florida. As you begin the claims process after sustaining property damage in this major storm, you might be wondering what types of losses can be covered after a hurricane.
Some of the most common types of damage that occur in hurricanes include:
- Water and flood damage: Hurricane Debby’s heavy rains and storm surge have left entire areas underwater. Most hurricane insurance policies include flood insurance to cover damage that occurs during high water.
- Wind damage: Hurricane-force winds can cause extensive damage, uprooting trees, shearing off paneling and roofing, and causing large items to fly into and collide with valuable property. As a Category 1 storm, Debby’s wind speeds were a dangerous 80 mph.
- Hurricane storm damage: Hurricanes can cause damage to property in many ways, including tornadoes that may happen alongside the storm, flying debris, mold damage after the water recedes, and more.
Hurricanes have the potential to damage various parts of a home, including the foundation, roof, windows, interior finish work, fencing, and more. If your home has been damaged by Hurricane Debby and you are covered by insurance, it is important to ensure that you receive the full compensation you are entitled to. Do not allow public adjusters to deny you the money you deserve. Get in touch with Florin|Roebig today to ensure that your insurance company meets its obligations.
How Did Hurricane Debby Affect Different Areas Of Florida?
Hurricane Debby made landfall on the Gulf Coast region of Florida on August 5, 2024, and caused major damage across many communities, including at least four deaths. Find more information below on how the storm affected cities in Florida.
Before the storm made landfall, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 61 counties expected to be affected. In a statement, the governor’s office said that 3,000 National Guard members have been mobilized.
As the hurricane brought heavy winds, over 10 inches of rain, and flooding, over 300,000 Floridians lost power and began to sustain property damage to their homes. Within hours after Debby came ashore as a Category 1 hurricane, it had weakened into a tropical storm and continued to dump heavy rain in its path. A flash flood emergency was declared for the Lake City area, where as much as 12 inches of rain had already fallen and more was expected.
Strong winds caused downed power lines, uprooted trees, and flying debris in many areas. Roads were closed including Tampa Bay’s Sunshine Skyway Bridge which saw waves washing over its lanes. Storm damage was also seen across area neighborhoods where homes were left without power and residents worried the contents of their refrigerators would be lost.
As Tropical Storm Debby continued to slowly move northeast, the city of Charleston, South Carolina, was expected to receive between 10 and 12 inches of rainfall within a 24-hour period. Several low-lying Eastern Seaboard cities, including Savannah, Georgia, have implemented curfews due to the storm and its impact. A warning extended from the mouth of Georgia’s St. Mary’s River to parts of South Carolina, where the National Hurricane Center predicted a storm surge of 2 to 4 feet.
What To Do If Your Insurance Claim Is Denied After A Hurricane
Although storms like Debby are the reason many people buy property insurance, including hurricane insurance, some insurance companies try to take advantage of customers during crises like this and refuse to cover damages.
After major storms like Debby, insurance companies often try to find reasons to deny claims because they are dealing with an “insurance crisis”, which is a period of an overwhelming number of claims. By hiring an experienced attorney, such as the lawyers at Florin|Roebig, you can ensure that you will receive any compensation that you are rightfully owed from the insurance provider.
If your insurance company denies your claim after Debby, you still have options. A skilled attorney can assess your case and assist you in determining if you have legitimate grounds to seek reimbursement from the insurance company.
Your lawyer will first attempt to settle your case out of court, meaning the insurance company agrees to pay you the money you are owed. If they still won’t pay, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit and take the case to court, where your attorney will attempt to explain to a judge why you should be compensated for damages your property suffered in the storm.
How Can A Hurricane Damage Lawyer Help?
Hurricane damage lawyers are trained to help people who have had their claims denied or are experiencing trouble with their insurance companies.
Stop Attempts To Reduce Your Payout
After a storm like Hurricane Debby, insurance companies may try to take advantage of policyholders by offering lowball settlements or finding ways to decrease payouts. It can be difficult to identify when your insurance company is unfairly reducing your payout offer. Hiring a hurricane damage attorney can help. They can review your claim and confront the insurance company to ensure they are paying the full amount they are obligated to.
Ensure Your Claim Is Not Delayed
A lot of people will file property insurance claims after Hurricane Debby, and insurance companies might struggle to keep up with the claims. One tactic they could use is to intentionally delay your claim.
A lawyer specializing in hurricane damage will advocate for you, ensuring your insurance company processes your claims promptly and provides payment quickly for necessary repairs.
Challenge Denied Claims
If your claim has been denied after Hurricane Debby, an insurance claims attorney may be able to help you. Many claims have been denied in Florida because insurers say that you must have separate flood insurance. In some cases, this is not a legitimate reason for claim denial. Contact an insurance claims attorney to fight a denied claim and get the payout you deserve.
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Get Help From A Qualified Insurance Claims Attorney
Insurance premiums can be costly, and it’s important to ensure that your insurance company honors their end of the deal. Following a major storm like Hurricane Debby, the last thing you want to deal with is a dispute with your insurance provider. Florin|Roebig’s attorneys are available to assist if your home or property has sustained damage in Hurricane Debby and your insurance company is unwilling to provide coverage.
Get in touch with us today for a complimentary consultation, where we can help you assess whether you have grounds to take legal action against your insurance company and whether pursuing this option is the right course of action for your storm claim.
