Orlando is an inland city in Central Florida. Although Hurricane Ian’s destruction was worst along the Gulf Coast where it made landfall, property owners in Orlando still saw major storm damage.
Ian brought heavy rain and high winds to Orlando in late September 2022. Many property owners in the area were surprised when this Florida hurricane brought water damage and wind damage to Orlando.
Now, Orlando residents are cleaning up after the tropical storm and filing claims with their insurance companies. Unfortunately, some policyholders are finding that their insurance providers are acting in bad faith after Hurricane Ian and refusing to deliver payouts for damaged property.
People in the state of Florida can seek legal representation from an insurance claims attorney. Your insurance claim dispute attorney can help you hold your insurance provider accountable.
Types Of Damage Caused By Hurricane Ian In Orlando
Although Hurricane Ian weakened substantially as it moved inland toward Orlando, it remained a powerful storm as it impacted central Florida.
According to the Washington Post, Ian dropped over a foot of rain in some parts of the Orlando area, leading to widespread flooding as ponds and rivers overwhelmed their banks.
The storm still had powerful winds when it reached Orlando, too.
The following types of damage were observed in the Orlando area from Hurricane Ian:
- Flood damage, both interior and exterior, due to heavy rains
- Wind damage, especially from flying debris
- Fallen trees
Steps To Take After Orlando Property Damage Caused By Hurricane Ian
If you are a home or business owner in Orlando whose property sustained damage during Hurricane Ian, you are not alone.
Thousands of people in the Orlando area and beyond as far as Miami, Jacksonville, and Tampa suffered property damage in this storm.
It is critical to know what steps to take after a storm like Ian so that you can repair your property to its original condition.
1. Document All Property Damage
Once it is safe to return to your home or business, the first step you should take is to document the current condition of your property.
Take extensive photos and videos of all areas of the property, not just where you see visible damage.
Your documentation can serve as critical evidence should your property insurance claim lead to a dispute.
2. Make Temporary Home Repairs
If your property needs temporary repairs to make it usable for the time being, go ahead and make them.
Be sure to save any receipts for materials and labor, because you should be able to seek reimbursement for these repairs from your insurance company.
3. Review Your Insurance Coverage
Before you actually file a claim, it’s smart to read over your policy and make sure that you understand what is and is not covered, whether your policy has a deductible, and other important details.
This can help you to file your hurricane insurance claim efficiently and avoid confusion during the claims process. An insurance dispute attorney can help you understand your coverage.
4. File A Homeowners Insurance Claim
As soon as possible, you should file your claim with your homeowner’s insurance policy or other relevant policy.
Most policies require that you file your claim within a certain time period, so it is always better to do it sooner rather than later.
5. Get A Third-Party Estimate
You should always hire a third-party contractor to come and assess the damage to your property and make an official estimate for repairs.
If your insurance adjuster tries to undervalue the repairs needed on your property, having an estimate from a certified contractor on-hand can help you when requesting more money.
6. Hire An Insurance Claims Attorney
Sometimes, you do everything right, and your insurance company still acts in bad faith in order to not pay for your repairs.
In these cases, having a certified insurance claims attorney like those at Florin|Roebig by your side is invaluable.
Your attorney can go head-to-head with your insurer to get you the compensation you deserve.
Our Featured Case Results
When To Hire An Orlando Hurricane Damage Lawyer
When to call a hurricane damage law office is not always clear. If your insurance company underpaid or undervalued your claim, an attorney can help.
You pay your insurance premium, and when hurricane season strikes you deserve to have your insurance company pay for repairs.
If your insurance company does any of the following things, contact Florin|Roebig for a free case evaluation right away:
- Your adjuster gives you the wrong phone number, is not returning your calls, or not answering at all.
- Your insurer offers a lowball settlement offer that is less than your third-party estimate or not enough to cover repairs.
- Your insurance claim is denied.
- Your insurance claim has been accepted but your payout is taking too long.
- Your insurer says you need a separate flood insurance policy to cover damages.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Get In Touch With An Orlando Hurricane Damage Claims Lawyer Today
Florin|Roebig law firm is based in Florida and has decades of experience providing representation for people in need or insurance claims attorneys and personal injury lawyers.
We are here to make sure that your insurance company pays you the money you are rightfully owed under your policy.
Contact Florin|Roebig today to learn more about our services or to schedule your free consultation.
