If you live in Ocala, Orlando, or elsewhere in central Florida, you may not expect to get hard-hit by natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, at least not to the extent of other outer areas, such as Tampa.
Yet the high winds and storm surge caused by the latest hurricane, which made landfall in late September 2022, left many areas in the state of Florida damaged, from the gulf coast inward.
As of October 2022, thousands of homes and businesses have been affected by the strong winds and rains wrought by the storm, leading to a range of types of property damage.
Individuals and families across Florida have begun making insurance claims — and these claims are already being denied or offered lowball payouts by their insurance companies.
You don’t have to take on your insurance adjuster alone if you’ve been affected by the damage caused by the hurricane season. Reach out to the Florin|Roebig law firm for your free consultation to discuss your case.
How Hurricane Ian Affected The Ocala Area
Hurricane Ian was a Category 4 storm that hit mostly south Florida, making landfall just off the coast of Fort Myers. It then began making its way across east Florida.
Fortunately, by the time Ian reached areas such as Marion County, it was downgraded to a tropical storm. Storm damage wrought by Ian in Ocala mainly included roof damage, damage from flying debris, and flood damage caused by heavy rainfall.
Not all Ocala homeowners and business owners experienced hurricane damage from the storm. However, if you were one of the unlucky people affected by the storm, an experienced attorney can help you with an insurance dispute.
What To Do After Hurricane Ian Leaves Your Ocala Property Damaged
After a hurricane or other natural disaster, it’s important to take careful measures to give you the best chance at receiving your insurance claim payout.
Follow these steps if your business or property were damaged by the hurricane:
1. Find Safe Accommodations
Some Ocala homeowners experienced damage from flying debris or downed trees that could make living in their home temporarily impossible.
A caved-in roof caused by a downed tree makes for an unsafe or impossible living situation. If you suffered similar damages, be sure to find other accommodations until your home is repaired.
Keep receipts for your living expenses, as these costs may be covered by your insurance policy.
2. Assess The Extent Of The Damages
After reaching safety, your first priority should be assessing the damages to your home and/or property. Wind damage and flood damage/water damage can wreak havoc on your residence.
Be sure to take photos with proper lighting and from multiple angles of all areas of damage. Since you may not yet have seen the extent of damages (damage can worsen with time due to flooding, for instance) it’s important to take as many photos as you can.
This will help ensure you get the highest payout possible to cover the full extent of property damage.
3. Review Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy
Homeowners insurance policyholders should carefully review their policy to make sure they understand their insurance coverage.
While Florida does require homeowners to carry insurance, not all policies include flood insurance, and flood damage is one of the most common property damage effects caused by the hurricane season.
Other things to look for include your deductible amount and whether you have kept up with paying your premiums, since a lapse in payment could mean you receive no payout.
4.Get A Third-Party Estimate For Repairs
Insurance companies, in protecting their own interests, will try to offer you the lowest amount for your claim.
This is why it’s always important to get a third-party estimate for all repairs and submit it with your hurricane damage claim.
5. File A Hurricane Damage Insurance Claim
When you have all photos, estimates, and other necessary information, file your claim as soon as possible. Your insurance company likely has a time limit for filing the claim, so it’s crucial to get it in as soon as possible.
6. Hire A Hurricane Damage Lawyer
If your insurance adjuster will not respond to or return your calls, or tries to offer you a payout that is much lower than the cost of your repairs, it’s time to seek legal advice.
A hurricane damage claims lawyer will help you secure the payout you are owed as a policyholder.
Our Featured Case Results
What Types Of Hurricane Damage Are Covered By Property Insurance?
Whether you’re in Miami, Gainesville, or anywhere else in Florida, you can seek compensation if you had insurance coverage for hurricane damage that’s been left unpaid.
Here are the most common types of damage that may be covered by your policy:
- Damage to the outside of the home, including the roof, gutters, and siding
- Window damage
- Damage to doors
- Landscape damage
- Damage to water wells and plumbing
- Damage to any personal property outside your home
- Damage to garages and sheds
Note that auto accidents or personal injury caused by the hurricane will likely be covered by other forms of insurance through accident claims.
What Should You Do If Your Insurance Company Is Acting In Bad Faith?
If your insurance company isn’t acting in good faith — that is, paying out your claim to its fullest extent and within a timely manner — you should seek help from an attorney as soon as possible.
Reach out to a hurricane damage attorney if you experience any of the following:
- The insurance adjuster denies that you have coverage for your damages.
- You are unable to reach or get a response back from your adjuster.
- The insurance company delays your claim payout for an unreasonable amount of time.
- The insurance company offers a payout that is much lower than your cost of repairs.
- Denies your insurance claim without cause.
Reach Out To Florin|Roebig For Help With Your Hurricane Damage Claim In Ocala
Have you been the victim of an insurance company acting in bad faith after a devastating disaster like Hurricane Ian? We can help.
The law offices of Florin|Roebig are well-versed in many practice areas, including injuries from car accidents, wrongful death, and insurance disputes.
We have aided our clients in securing millions to date, and since we work on a contingency-fee basis, we receive nothing unless we help you win.
Call today for your no-obligation consultation to get started on your case.
