As Hurricane Sally slowly churned in the Gulf of Mexico, it was forecasted to generate destructive winds and torrential flooding in Panama City, Florida. If you are a Panama City homeowner and your property has suffered wind, flood, or roof damage caused by Hurricane Sally, turn to the expert insurance claim dispute attorneys at FlorinIRoebig to get you the compensation you deserve.
Effects Of Hurricane Sally On Panama City
Sally left hundreds of thousands of people without power when it traveled through the panhandle. Home and commercial property owners in surge prone areas experienced heavy thunderstorms and flash flooding, which has the potential to cause serious damage to cars, homes, condominiums, and businesses. Unfortunately, the city is no stranger to flood and water damage related events. Just a few weeks ago, Tropical Storm Marco brought copious amounts of rain, causing up to two feet of flooding and twenty homes damaged.
Slow moving Hurricane Sally has resulted in widespread flooding throughout the entire region. The National Weather Service issued a Flood Warning for Calhoun and Bay counties, advising residents to avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Local authorities deemed roadways impassable, leading to dozens of road closures. Many residents woke up to their entire homes being submerged with up to four feet of water. Homeowners on Faith Lane encountered dangerous flood waters, leaving them stranded in their homes and the neighborhood under water.
Flood Damage In Panama City
Flooding is one of the most dangerous and damaging natural hazards. The aftermath of hurricane related flood damage can have disastrous consequences, at the community and individual level. Depending on the magnitude of the flood event, human and economic losses may include the following:
- Loss of human life and injuries
- Damage to homes and personal property
- Destruction of infrastructure, such as roadways
- Mortality of cherished pets and livestock
- Destruction of agricultural systems, harvest, and crops
- Health related risks due to mold complications
Luckily, there have been no reported deaths due to Sally’s heavy rain in Panama City. However, many homeowners’ have been left in grief over the substantial damage. If your home, business, or personal property was destroyed by Hurricane Sally, it is normal to feel hopeless, overwhelmed, and a sense of extreme grief.
You may have already filed a claim with your insurance carrier and are probably wondering what to do next. When you are up against the big insurance companies, you need a dedicated lawyer on your side, who has extensive experience handling Florida hurricane damage insurance claims.
Homeowners Insurance Vs Flood Insurance
Florida residents know all too well the risks associated with wind and flood damage caused by the wrath of a hurricane. Wind damage is among the perils covered by the majority of policies. It is important to note that most standard home and commercial insurance policies won’t pay for flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy that is designed to provide coverage for your building, as well as the contents inside of it.
Simply being covered doesn’t mean you will be able to recover fair and full compensation for all the costs of rebuilding or replacing your damaged property. Insurance adjusters are well trained in the art of devaluing and denying legitimate claims. The insurers business model is to make as much money as possible in monthly premiums and pay out as little as they can on insurance claims. While claims adjusters want to minimize payouts, they also want to avoid a hurricane damage lawsuit.
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What To Do If Hurricane Sally Leaves Your Property Damaged
For many Panama City residents, Hurricane Sally welcomed itself into their homes and businesses. Filing a homeowners or flood insurance claim can be an extremely stressful and lengthy process, especially if widespread damage occurred. Take a deep breath and follow these tips to ensure you get maximum compensation for your most valuable asset:
1. Survey the damage
Once the storm has passed and it is safe to inspect the interior and exterior of your home or business, do an initial assessment to determine if you should file a claim. Inventory all losses, including personal property and keep the documentation handy because you will need it later on.
2. Record evidence of the damage
To build the most compelling claim, you will need to be able to prove the causation of the damage. Take the time to thoroughly photograph and videotape any and all property damage that occurred. Any documentation and evidence can significantly help your property damage case, especially if the insurance company tries to dispute your claim.
3. Hire a professional
The insurance adjusters will likely try to underpay your claim. It is essential to get third party estimates to help you accurately determine how much it will cost to restore your property to its previous condition. Hire a reputable contractor or better yet, contact an attorney to help with this process.
4. Fill out a Proof of Loss form
A sworn Proof of Loss is a statement that outlines the details of your property damage, initiates the claims process, and essentially requests benefits from the insurer. It is the policyholder’s duty to fill out a Proof of Loss document correctly and including all supporting documentation is vital.
5. Seek legal counsel
The most important tip you should follow to improve the strength of your hurricane property damage insurance claim and ultimately get the payout you deserve is to hire an experienced attorney. The attorneys at Florin|Roebig have collected millions of dollars against insurance companies by working tirelessly on their client’s behalf.
Why Hire A Panama City Hurricane Claim Attorney?
After natural disaster strikes, you may think your insurance company will act in good faith. Although this may seem like a reasonable expectation considering the fact that you pay your premiums every month, it is often a misconception. The only way to be sure you will get what you deserve is to hire an attorney. Hurricane property damage victims should seek legal help if they experience any of the following:
- Unfair or bad faith denials
- Unreasonable payment delays
- Inability to get in contact with the adjuster
- Lowball repair estimates
- A quick settlement offer that is much less than the cost of restoring your property
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Contact A Panama City Hurricane Damage Lawyer Today
Recovering from a catastrophe, like Hurricane Sally can leave you and your family in financial and emotional distress. Fortunately, you don’t have to face your insurance company alone. The devoted legal team at Florin|Roebig has the financial resources and legal expertise to take on the most complex hurricane damage disputes. Call our office today to set up a free consultation and comprehensive case review.
