Hurricane Milton’s path covered too much of the Sunshine State for the recovery process to resolve quickly. While city officials and county leaders offered shelter and preparation supplies, Milton was still a record-breaking disaster. While most Floridians are familiar with similar events, many were still surprised by the ferocity of this one.
Florin|Roebig lawyer Chase P. Florin says, “Residents who thought they would be fine were unpleasantly surprised to find Milton’s flooding rains to be more than expected. Those inexperienced with hurricanes were even more distraught. At Florin|Roebig, we know what you’ve been through because we live in Florida, too. We stick with our neighbors against bad actors at insurance companies who only add to your burdens. Let us help you get compensation for your storm damage and support you in your recovery.”
What Are Your Options If Your Home Is Affected by Hurricane Milton?
Going through your belongings after the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton is disheartening. It’s hard to have the presence of mind to properly document or even think about what needs to happen next. However, following some basic guidelines can support your Hurricane Milton storm damage claims and preserve your rights to compensation under your insurance policies.
Document Your Losses
A picture’s worth a thousand words, as the saying goes. In your case, it may be worth thousands of dollars. Visual evidence in abundance (think tons of pictures, maybe a video, with good lighting and different angles) helps prove your case to the insurance company. Without it, proving Hurricane Milton is the cause might be challenging. Keep a running list of damage as well.
Review Your Homeowner’s Policy
Any claims you file can be derailed if they include things your insurance policy doesn’t cover. Taking the time to read through all policies, whether it’s homeowner, renter, wind, flood, etc., can save some headaches. Avoid filing for anything you know isn’t covered so you don’t give insurance companies easy reasons for a denial letter.
Contact Your Insurer
It’s impossible to know where your claims stand or what your insurance provider will do until you make the initial contact by filing. You have deadlines for each stage, and you need to get your storm damage claim paperwork in quickly to avoid missing your chance to file. It also decreases their ability to run the clock out on you with delays.
Fix What You Can
You can’t completely or permanently cover Hurricane Milton storm damage without jeopardizing supporting evidence for your claim. However, you can use temporary solutions to make your space livable and protect your assets. Any receipts for that should be kept as further evidence.
The city is waiving some building permit fees as storm repairs happen. Check with their guidelines before starting yours.
Get Damage Assessed
Whatever damage was done to your home by Hurricane Milton, your insurance adjuster will need to see it. They’ll ask questions and take pictures before generating an estimate. To help you understand how fair it is, you should enlist a third-party contractor to evaluate your storm damage and estimate repair costs. Watch out for tricksters who will masquerade as legitimate contractors but lack proper licensing and disappear with your down payment for fixing things.
Get Government Assistance
Now that damages are more fully assessed and some major infrastructure issues have been addressed, FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are opening around Ocoee and Orange County. In addition to other FEMA assistance already provided, these offer a set location to get government assistance and information.
While many organizations are out there to help you through these challenging times, insurance companies often are not on that list. They profit from selling vaguely worded policies and discouraging clients from collecting payouts with numerous delay tactics. When your company tries this with you, call Florin|Roebig’s legal team, and we’ll help you get the compensation you deserve for Hurricane Milton damage.
What Damages Can A Hurricane Like Milton Cause?
Hurricane Milton was a record-breaker on the heels of another record-breaking storm — Hurricane Helene. The two together took away power from millions of Floridians and wiped out several communities. It will take years for Hurricane Milton victims to fully recover from the emotional, physical, and financial losses caused by this deadly event.
Ocoee residents ended up with these types of Hurricane Milton storm damage:
- Wind damage
- Water damage and flooding
- Structural damage
- Personal property damage
- Landscaping and exterior property damage
Additional Issues
The complications caused by continued weather exposure will worsen any already susceptible areas on your property. Protecting it with tarps or boards will help short term, but delays by your insurance company will lead to long-term problems that will make repairs more expensive.
Attorney Chase P. Florin explains, “When you don’t pay your insurance bill, the company cancels your policy. They understand that actions have consequences, and they need to answer for that when they’re the ones not paying what they should. Call Florin|Roebig if your insurance company is refusing to mail the check or you can’t get them to answer the phone. We’ll set things straight.”
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How Did Hurricane Milton Affect Ocoee?
Although Hurricane Milton was a Category 2 when it reached cities like Ocoee in Orange County, the damage was still significant. A state of emergency declaration was issued for the metro-Orlando suburb ahead of the storm. Before it even made landfall, heavy rain and harsh winds had already caused flooding and downed trees. Forty-two tornado warnings were issued.
Ocoee sits in the northwest corner of Orange County, and the western and southwestern areas were the most damaged by Hurricane Milton. Residents were able to get sandbags until they ran out but had to fill them. Once those supplies were gone, sand was still available for those who brought their bags. Area businesses closed down on Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10, but many were able to reopen on Friday, October 11.
Roads, bridges, and boat ramps were closed to traffic due to the flooding. Rainfall was slightly above 10 inches, with 56 mph winds and gusts up to 87 mph. Shelters were opened on October 8 for those in need, including pet-friendly and options for those with medical equipment and other special needs.
What to Do if Your Insurance Claim Is Denied After a Hurricane
If you’ve received a denial letter from your insurance company about your Hurricane Milton damage claim, you need to understand why. Request a detailed accounting of their reasons, and compare it against your policy terms. This must be done quickly because you have limited time to follow up on claims and denials.
Once you’ve done that but see things that don’t add up, you can get in touch with a law office that specializes in hurricane damage claims. They’ll verify what you’re reading in the denial and your policy. If it bears further exploration, they can push back at the insurance company on your behalf.
Common reasons hurricane damage claims are denied can include:
- Not enough evidence to prove your claim.
- Filing for damages on property not covered under your policy.
- Failing to show that Hurricane Milton caused the damage.
Be wary of insurance adjusters who are never available to take your calls, numbers that don’t work, and any other version of putting you off. Providers want you to make mistakes. They want you to get irritated and give up. It helps them keep the money that customers have paid into the business. At Florin|Roebig, we stick with the follow-up, and insurers know we don’t give up on getting answers.
How Can a Hurricane Damage Lawyer Help?
As Ocoee residents and business owners know, hurricanes are a common part of life in the Sunshine State. Unfortunately, it also means that filing storm damage claims are standard practice. There are several challenges on both sides of the claims process, making already stressful times more of a hassle than they need to be. Even those familiar with the steps can get lost in fighting bad actors at the insurance company or trying to convince an insurer who’s been burned by bad faith claims that yours is legitimate.
Turning to a hurricane damage lawyer cuts through the noise. Florin|Roebig sticks to the law, meaning we know if you have the evidence to prove your claim and how to show that to your provider. When you need help filing your claim or getting through to your insurance company, an experienced attorney knows how to make it happen. And when they’re intentionally stonewalling, we know how to make it stop. Contact Florin|Roebig to verify the legitimacy of your claim and get your insurance company to stop jerking you around.
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How To Get Help From Florin|Roebig Attorneys
Florin|Roebig Law Office takes pride in our work with the Florida community for over 30 years. We understand the challenges of living in a state with a weather pattern that’s both beautiful and devastating. We’re here to help you wade through the nonsense that insurance adjusters throw at you and demand the payout you’re owed.
To contact Florin|Roebig about your Ocoee storm damage claim following Hurricane Milton, you have your pick of options.
You can reach us through these methods, using our website contact page:
- Fill out our online form anytime, and we’ll get back to you.
- Call the phone number for your area 24/7.
- Use our chat feature day or night.
After all, you aren’t making an unreasonable request. You’re asking them to honor the contract they’ve signed with you in exchange for the financial support you’ve provided in insurance payments. Florin|Roebig will hold them to their side of the deal.
