Lehigh Acres is an unincorporated area near Fort Myers in Lee County, Florida. The area had a population of 135,272 as of the 2020 Census.
Like most of southwest Florida, Lehigh Acres took a hard hit from Hurricane Ian. Property owners in the area have reported heavy storm damage to businesses and personal property.
Fortunately, Florin|Roebig can help with your insurance claim. Contact us to learn about our board-certified trial lawyers who have helped our clients win $1 billion in case awards to date.
How Hurricane Ian Affected Lehigh Acres, Florida
People in the state of Florida are no strangers to hurricanes, but even many long-time residents had never seen a storm like Category 4 Ian.
Hurricane Ian made landfall along the Gulf Coast of Florida just miles west of Lehigh Acres on September 28, 2022. The storm brought heavy winds and rain to Lee County, as well as a devastating storm surge.
Fortunately for the residents of Lehigh Acres, flood damage from the storm surge was not as prevalent as in neighboring communities like Fort Myers.
Still, the storm’s intense winds and rain caused extensive damage across the area, with trees brought down and flying debris causing damage as well.
If you need help with your hurricane insurance claim in Lehigh Acres or nearby areas such as Port Charlotte, Sarasota, Bonita Springs, Naples, or Cape Coral, contact the Florin|Roebig law office for a free consultation with an expert insurance claims attorney.
Florin|Roebig’s insurance claims attorneys can make sure that you get the money you are rightfully owed by your insurance company.
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What To Do After Hurricane Damages Your Property
Hurricanes can be disorienting and scary. As the cleanup from Hurricane Ian continues, you might be wondering what you are supposed to do if your property has been damaged.
Follow the steps below if you own property in Florida that was damaged in a hurricane.
1. Assess The Extent Of The Damages
Once it is safe to enter your home or business and officials have opened the area back up to residents, survey the damage for yourself.
The main goal when assessing your property is to document the damage by taking lots of photos and videos and making notes of any visible issues.
This documentation can come in handy late if you are facing a claim denial or another issue with your insurance company.
You can make temporary repairs to make the property usable, but be sure to keep receipts, as these costs can be reimbursed under your insurance policy.
3. Review Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy
Before reaching out to your insurance company to file a claim, you should read over your policy and review the details of your coverage.
Florida law requires that homeowners have insurance, but not all policies include flood damage coverage. If Hurricane Ian damaged your home with flooding and you do not have coverage, you could be out of luck.
You should also look for your deductible amount and ensure that you have kept up with paying your premium.
4. Get A Third-Party Estimate For Repairs
Never trust your insurance company to give an accurate estimate for the cost of repairs to your property.
Hire a trusted contractor to come to your home or business and survey the damage. The contractor will give you an estimate for how much they would charge for the repairs.
You can use this estimate later in the claims process to challenge your insurance company if they try to give a lowball settlement offer.
5. File A Hurricane Damage Insurance Claim
Once you have completed the previous steps, it’s time to file a claim with your insurance company. Keep in mind that most policies have a strict time window during which you must file a claim, so don’t wait too long.
6. Hire A Hurricane Damage Lawyer
If you experience any issues during the claims process, don’t hesitate to contact an insurance claims lawyer.
Many Florida residents are having trouble with their insurance companies after Hurricane Ian, because insurers are inundated with claims from the storm.
Don’t let your insurance company get away with acting in bad faith. You can hold them accountable and ensure that you receive a fair settlement offer by hiring an attorney in the practice area of insurance claims disputes.
Types Of Hurricane Damage Covered By Property Insurance
If you are in Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, or anywhere else in Florida, you can seek compensation for an outstanding insurance claim that has been denied or left unpaid.
Common types of damages that may be covered by your property insurance policy:
- Damage to the outside of the home, including the roof and siding
- Damage to doors
- Damage to windows
- Damage to landscaping
- Damage to garages and sheds
- Damage to personal property inside or outside of the home
- Damage to wells and/or plumbing
If you were in a car accident or had another type of personal injury caused by the storm, these cases will probably be covered under different types of claims.
What To Do If Your Insurance Company Is Acting In Bad Faith
You pay your insurance premium, so your insurance company should hold up its side of the deal when a disaster like Hurricane Ian hits. Their job is to pay out your claim in full in a timely manner.
If you experience the following, reach out to an insurance claims lawyer:
- The insurance company denies your claim or says the damage is not covered under your policy.
- You are having trouble reaching or getting a response from the adjuster assigned to your claim.
- The insurance company is delaying your claim or stalling your payout.
- The insurance company offers a payout that is lower than the cost of repairs.
- The insurance company says you need separate flood insurance to cover the damages.
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Reach Out For Help With Your Hurricane Damage Claim
If you have been a victim of an insurance company acting in bad faith after Hurricane Ian, Florin|Roebig law firm can help.
Our team includes personal injury lawyers and attorneys that are experts in areas of the law including car accidents, truck accidents, insurance disputes, and more.
The people of Florida have been trusting Florin|Roebig for decades, and we have delivered over $1 billion won in settlements for our clients.
Call today for your free initial consultation.
