Located north of St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor is a dwelling place known for its beautiful sunsets, luxury resorts, and championship golf courses. As of the 2018 Census, the suburb of Tampa had a population of 61,995. Like the rest of the Tampa Bay Metro area, Palm Harbor is prone to severe storms and hurricanes.
Hurricane Eta pummeled through parts of Central America as a Category 4 hurricane, creating widespread devastation and immeasurable suffering. Disastrous flooding and mudslides left a trail of destruction that ultimately led to an estimated 130 deaths and counting. More than 2.5 million people from Panama to Belize have been affected in some way by the hurricane. The storm then made landfall in the Tampa Bay area. Palm Harbor residents quickly prepared for Eta’s arrival, but despite their best efforts, many homes and businesses sustained serious damage from strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Types Of Property Damage Caused By Hurricane Eta
Every year, hurricanes pose an economic and environmental threat to many communities in Florida, including Palm Harbor. Strong winds, storm surge, and flooding are some of the greatest threats to property. Home and business owners in Palm Harbor reported the following types of hurricane related property damage:
- Roof damage, including broken shingles, tiles, and gutters
- Damage to personal property inside the home or business
- Broken windows and doors
- Damage to appliances, utilities, and equipment
- Destruction of pools and sheds
- Damage to trees, gardens, and landscaping
- Harm to pools, sheds, and other exterior structures
Even minimal property damage can leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. You may have already filed a claim with your insurance company and are probably wondering what to do next. When you are up against the big insurance companies, you need an experienced lawyer who has extensive experience handling Palm Harbor hurricane damage insurance claims.
What Type Of Damage Is Covered By Homeowners Insurance?
The best way to determine what kind of damage is covered by your homeowners’ insurance is to read your policy word by word. As a general rule, most standard policies cover damage from hurricane winds and rain. Unfortunately, damage caused by flooding is usually excluded. Flood insurance is a separate policy that is designed to protect your home or business from flooding.
Just being covered doesn’t mean you will be able to recover full and fair compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged property. The insurance carrier’s main goal is to pay out as little as possible. The adjuster may try to use aggressive tactics to diminish, devalue, or deny your claim. Luckily, you don’t have to face the insurance company alone. Contact one of our skilled property damage lawyers to determine if you qualify for compensation.
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Steps To Take After A Hurricane
Unfortunately, some hurricane damage is unavoidable no matter how much you prepare for it. If your home or business was damaged by Hurricane Eta, follow these steps after the storm to ensure your claim is handled fairly:
- Use your smartphone to inventory all affected property and personal belongings.
- Take extensive photographs and videos of all the damage that occurred. Make sure you take pictures of the surrounding area as well.
- Make temporary repairs to prevent further destruction from occurring.
- Save all receipts, as you will need them for reimbursement.
- Call your insurance carrier and report the hurricane damage.
- Get bids from multiple contractors, so you can have an accurate idea of repair costs.
- Consider hiring a hurricane damage claims lawyer to help guide you through the claims process.
People who fail to follow the proper procedures after a severe weather event risk getting their claim denied. If you have any questions or concerns regarding what you should after Hurricane Eta, call the award-winning trial attorneys at FlorinIRoebig today for a free consultation.
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Contact A Palm Harbor Hurricane Damage Claims Attorney Today
The aftermath of Hurricane Eta can leave you and your family in financial and emotional distress. If you are struggling to get what you believe you deserve for your hurricane damage claim, it is time to pick up the phone and call the devoted team of legal professionals at FlorinIRoebig. As a law firm that is based in Palm Harbor, we will fight tirelessly to protect the interests of our neighbors, friends, and clients.