Hurricane Nicole surprised Florida residents this hurricane season as the first hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. in November in nearly 40 years, according to CNN.
While Florida homeowners were likely gearing up to say goodbye to the hurricane season — with many still picking up the pieces after damage wrought by Hurricane Ian — Hurricane Nicole touched down on the east coast of Florida early on the morning of November 10, 2022.
The storm made landfall on North Hutchinson Island, which is just south of Vero Beach, as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 75 mph.
Though the storm is expected to continue to weaken as it moves along the Gulf of Mexico and throughout central Florida (then on to Georgia), it has already caused closures, evacuations, power outages, and even destroyed some homes along the coast.
With any hurricane in Florida comes the expectation of property insurance damage claims, and with them claim denials, delays, and unfair payouts.
But Florida homeowners can connect with experienced insurance claim attorneys, like ours at Florin|Roebig, for help with securing a fair insurance payout.
What Are Your Options If Your Home Is Affected By Hurricane Nicole?
If your home or business in Florida has been affected by a hurricane, you have up to three years to file a hurricane damage claim with your insurance company.
However, it is always best to file an insurance claim for hurricane damage or tropical storm damage as soon as possible.
Insurance companies are often fraught with damage claims following a major natural disaster.
For example, many insurance companies had to claim bankruptcy following Hurricane Ian due to the massive amount of claims submitted to them after the storm.
Yet if you have hurricane damage coverage under your homeowner’s insurance policy, you are entitled to a payout for approved claims that fall within this coverage.
If your insurance adjuster denies your claim, you can fight this decision with help from a hurricane damage lawyer.
What Damages Can A Hurricane Or Tropical Storm Cause?
Hurricane Nicole brought high winds, heavy rainfall, and a massive storm surge that wrought damage to homes along the east coast.
In fact, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for more than 40 counties to safeguard against damage and dangers.
In the days and weeks to come, the full impact of the storm will be revealed for homeowners and business owners alike.
Common types of damages caused by hurricanes and tropical storms include:
- Flood damage/water damage: As Nicole moves inward throughout Florida, heavy rainfall is expected, which can result in high water levels for many areas. The storm surge wrought by Nicole may also lead to heavy flooding.
- Wind damage: Strong winds can cause damage to roofs, siding, cars, landscaping, and more. It can also lead to flying debris, which can be dangerous for area residents.
- Storm damage: In addition to the water and wind damage, the storm can cause further damage as well, such as injuries, car accidents, and downed power lines.
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How Did Hurricane Nicole Affect Different Areas Of Florida?
Hurricane Nicole (downgraded after touching down in Florida to Tropical Storm Nicole) is only the third Florida hurricane in November recorded since 1853.
Unfortunately, Floridians tend to take the brunt of hurricane damage in the U.S. Here is how Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to affect different areas as it moves through central Florida.
Melbourne
More than 322,000 people were without power in the state of Florida on the morning of Thursday, November 10.
Brevard County, which includes Melbourne, had the highest proportion of residents with power outages, at 23%, according to CNN.
Melbourne residents woke Thursday morning with orders to shelter in place, and repairs assessments underway.
Current damages in Melbourne wrought by Tropical Storm Nicole include standing water and flooding, road debris, downed trees, and loss of traffic signals, as reported by the City of Melbourne.
Soon, Melbourne homeowners will begin to assess the extent of damages to homes and property.
Daytona Beach
Volusia County was hard-hit by Tropical Storm Nicole. Ahead of the storm, city officials pushed for closures of 20 buildings found to be structurally unsound.
Still, one report of an injury involving a tree and a power line in Volusia County and one partial collapse of a single-family home in Daytona Beach Shores have been reported as of November 10, 2022.
Eleven more buildings in Daytona Beach Shores were reported as expected to collapse. The extent of damage to area homes is yet unknown.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville was issued a state of emergency along with many other counties in Florida due to incoming Hurricane Nicole.
Though no evacuations have been issued for the area, the emergency management state remains in effect.
The biggest threat for Jacksonville and greater Duval County is the storm surge and possible coastal flooding along the shorelines and St. Johns River.
Flooding is expected to cause considerable water damage for area homes and businesses.
What To Do If Your Hurricane Nicole Damage Claim Is Denied
Although purchasing homeowners insurance with hurricane coverage is part of hurricane preparedness in Florida, many claims are denied or underpaid.
This is disheartening for policyholders — you pay into your insurance policy with the expectation that it will pay out when you need it, just like with health insurance.
But insurance providers are business owners at the end of the day. It’s in their best interest to pay as little as possible for your claim or to deny it altogether.
Insurance adjusters are trained to look for ways that will allow them to deny your claim, such as an incomplete claim, a claim without sufficient evidence of damages, or a claim that wasn’t submitted on time.
If you did everything right and still did not receive a fair payout, this means your insurance company acted in bad faith, and you do have options.
With help from a skilled insurance claims attorney, you can go head to head with the insurance company and fight for fair compensation for your claim.
How Can A Hurricane Damage Lawyer Help With Your Claim?
Coastal areas are not the only places in Florida affected by hurricanes. Central Florida cities like Orlando and Tampa also experience damage from high winds and flooding.
Regardless of where you are located, you should be able to file a damage claim with your homeowners insurance policy and receive a payout.
If you don’t, a reputable law firm like Florin|Roebig can connect you with highly skilled lawyers who will provide a number of advantages throughout the claims process.
Ensure Timely Management Of Your Claim
According to Florida law, you must bring a hurricane damage claim to the insurance company within three years.
However, as a Floridian, you probably already know that insurance companies are hard-hit with insurance claims in the aftermath of a hurricane or other natural disaster.
It may be tempting to want to wait to file, but this can hurt your chances of receiving the full payout. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to prove that damages to your home were wrought by the storm.
In addition to helping you file your claim on time, a lawyer will go beyond that and ensure that the insurance adjuster isn’t giving you the runaround by dodging your calls or refusing to respond.
Negotiate A Fair Payout
Insurance providers will try to discredit your claim in order to offer you a low settlement to protect their bottom line.
An experienced insurance damage lawyer will recognize this tactic and counter it by providing strong evidence for why you deserve the full payout.
They may do this by submitting a series of photos of the damages, repair estimates, and statements from experts who evaluated the damage.
When a skilled lawyer does their job correctly, the insurance adjuster will have no reason to deny or undercut your claim.
Fight Unfair Claim Denials
Your claim may be denied if you did not have adequate coverage, if you cannot prove the damage was caused by the storm, or if you miss the deadline to submit your claim, among other reasons.
Working with a lawyer ensures your claim will not be thrown out on a technicality. Your lawyer will guarantee they present everything you need to secure compensation, and, if you don’t receive a fair offer, they will prepare to fight back in court.
Florida Hurricane Damage Claims FAQs
If you still have questions about Florida hurricane damage claims, browse for answers in the list below.
Who Pays For Hurricane Damage In Florida?
Who pays for hurricane damage in Florida depends on where the damage occurs.
Florida homeowners with property insurance that includes hurricane coverage will be able to seek compensation with their insurance company.
The same is true for business owners through their business insurance policy.
Finally, the county or state will be responsible for damages to public property, such as municipal buildings or roadways, depending on the property.
How Long After A Hurricane Can You File A Claim In Florida?
Florida statute 627.70132 states that you have up to three years to file a claim for damages after a hurricane.
However, most insurance companies prefer that you file the claim as soon as possible.
This is why it’s best to work with a lawyer and file your claim in a timely manner — to give yourself the best chance at receiving the payout you deserve.
How Much Is A Hurricane Deductible In Florida?
Your hurricane deductible will, of course, depend on your individual insurance policy and your insurance provider. However, deductibles are typically a percent of the coverage, such as 2 or 5%.
The deductible must typically be paid prior to receiving the payout. Yet in Florida, you only have to pay one hurricane deductible per calendar year, so long as you remain with the same insurance company.
This means that Florida homeowners who have already paid the hurricane deductible for damage wrought by Hurricane Ian earlier in the 2022 hurricane season will not have to pay another deductible when making a claim for Hurricane Nicole.
Can You Keep The Extra Money From A Hurricane Damage Insurance Claim?
Insurance policies typically have very strict regulations regarding how a payout is paid and what happens to any unused money.
If your specific policy pays you personally for a claim and does not have a policy regarding returning unused claim money, you may be able to keep anything that’s left over.
Check with your insurance provider for more details.
How Do I File A Hurricane Claim In Florida?
To file a claim for hurricane damage in Florida, you must go through your insurance company first. However, it may be in your best interest to consult an attorney before you submit your claim.
A lawyer can evaluate your claim to ensure you have the strongest evidence and to make sure you are not missing any details.
They can also (with your permission) communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
This way, you know that you will receive a payout that is fair and that reflects the damages caused to your home or property.
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The hurricane season may be coming to a close in Florida, but Hurricane Nicole and Tropical Storm Nicole are likely to bring hefty damages for homeowners and business owners throughout the state.
Whether you’re in North Hutchinson Island experiencing home collapse from the storm surge, or in Fort Myers fighting extensive flood damage, a trusted hurricane damage lawyer can help.
Florin|Roebig has more than 30 years of experience in helping Floridians with property damage claims, and we won’t back down from the insurance companies. Call our hotline now to set up a chat for your free case evaluation.
