Melbourne is a town on the east coast of Florida in Brevard County. On October 9, 2024, Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 Florida hurricane southwest (and on the Gulf Coast side of Florida) of Melbourne near Siesta Key.
Hurricane Milton brought damaging winds, flooding rains, and tornadoes to the Melbourne area and much of the state of Florida. Hurricane Milton was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane by the time it moved across the state and into the Atlantic Ocean.
If you have a homeowner’s insurance policy that covers hurricane damage, your insurance provider is legally obligated to pay for hurricane-related damages. Unfortunately, after disasters like Hurricane Milton that cause widespread property damage, many insurance companies act in bad faith by denying claims or refusing to pay for the damage.
An experienced hurricane insurance claims attorney can help policyholders like you hold their insurance companies accountable and get a full payout.
Types Of Damage Caused By Hurricane Milton In Melbourne
Hurricane Milton brought a variety of impacts to Melbourne.
Property damage claims from Melbourne and the surrounding area have reported:
- Flood damage, including water damage to the interior or exterior of the building, due to heavy rainfall
- Wind damage to roof and siding due to wind, as well as flying debris carried by the wind
- Damage from falling trees and flying debris
- Broken or cracked windows
Steps To Take After Hurricane Milton Damages Your Melbourne Property
Storm damage from hurricanes like Milton is a part of life for most areas of Florida, including cities like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Palm Bay, Daytona Beach, and Jacksonville.
Areas on the west coast of Florida, including Naples and Fort Myers, were recently devastated by Hurricane Helene two weeks before Hurricane Milton.
Although hurricanes are a common occurrence in Florida, the damage they cause can come as a shock. Many Floridians pay for hurricane insurance so that when a disaster strikes, damage is covered.
Unfortunately, it sometimes takes more knowledge to hold insurance companies accountable after a hurricane.
Follow these steps after Hurricane Milton if your property has been damaged:
1. Document The Damage
Once it is safe to do so, make sure to thoroughly document any damage to your property. Photos and videos are very helpful evidence if an insurance dispute arises, so be sure to take extensive video footage and photos of your property.
Damage is not always visible to the untrained eye, so be as thorough as possible. Make a full list of any items or parts that you can tell are damaged.
2. Make Temporary Home Or Property Repairs
If your property has sustained damage that requires immediate repairs to make it habitable or prevent further damage, make those repairs and document the work that has been done.
Keep all receipts for parts and labor, as these costs should be reimbursable by insurance as part of your claim.
3. Know Your Insurance Coverage
Before you file an insurance claim, it is a good idea to read through your policy and understand what is and is not covered.
Knowing your deductible, premiums, and other details of your policy can help you to avoid confusion and hold insurance adjusters accountable.
4. File An Insurance Claim
As soon as it is safely possible to do so, you should file a claim with your insurance company. Most policies require that property owners file a claim within a certain time window.
If you own property in Melbourne and it appears undamaged by Hurricane Milton, it is still a good idea to file a claim. Hidden damage can appear years later if left unrepaired.
5. Get A Third-Party Estimate
A critical step in the claims process is to hire a contractor to come and give an unbiased third-party estimate for the cost of repairs to your property.
If bad faith insurance companies try to swindle you out of a fair payout, you can use the third-party estimate as evidence to hold them accountable.
6. Hire An Insurance Claims Attorney
Anyone who is having trouble with the claims process or encountering pushback from their insurance company should waste no time in hiring an experienced attorney.
The property damage attorneys at Florin|Roebig law firm offer free consultations for new clients who want to learn more about how a lawyer can help them.
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When To Hire A Melbourne Hurricane Damage Lawyer
Your insurance company has certain obligations that they must meet under Florida law.
You pay a lot for your hurricane insurance premium, and when disaster strikes, your insurance company should hold up their side of the deal.
Don’t let your insurance provider act in bad faith by refusing to pay or underpaying you for your Hurricane Milton damage claim.
If your insurance company does any of the following things, seek legal advice from a local insurance claims attorney:
- The adjuster assigned to your claim is repeatedly unavailable to answer your calls, or they will not return your calls.
- Your insurance company says that the damage to your property is not covered under your policy, or that you would need separate flood insurance to cover the damage.
- The insurance company is stalling or taking an unnecessarily long time to process your claim or pay for repairs to your property.
- The insurance company offers you a settlement amount, but it is too low to cover the cost of repairs.
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Get In Touch With A Melbourne Hurricane Damage Claims Lawyer Today
If you sustained property damage in Hurricane Milton, you already have enough on your plate. Don’t let your property insurance company make your life even harder. A Florida insurance claims attorney with years of experience can help you get the money you deserve from your insurance provider.
Florin|Roebig has been helping people in Florida get favorable settlements after hurricanes and other disasters for decades.
To schedule your free case evaluation or chat with a specialist about your situation, contact the offices of Florin|Roebig today.
