“You may think hiring a lawyer is only for very extreme cases, but having a professional on your side can make an immense difference in your experience with the claims filing process,” board-certified lawyer Hal Weitzenfeld says. “The attorneys of Florin|Roebig are not only experts in storm damage law, but are also there to support you and fight for you when no one else will.”
Poinciana, Florida is a census-designated place located in Osceola and Polk counties. It has a population of 69,311 people and is about an hour south of Orlando.
The harsh elements of Hurricane Milton brought heavy rains, extreme winds, and flooding to the Poinciana community, leaving many without power and with serious damage to their homes and property.
If you’ve noticed damage to your property after Hurricane Milton, you’ll need to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance. This can involve documenting damage, speaking with insurance adjusters, and receiving repair estimates. Many people find the aftermath of a storm to be overwhelming on its own and do not feel well equipped to take on the claims process on top of it.
Thankfully, you don’t have to go it alone. At Florin|Roebig, our insurance claims attorneys can guide you through the process of filing your property damage claim to ensure you get the maximum payout possible.
With over $1 billion in case results, our property damage lawyers will help you navigate this difficult time and make sure your insurance company treats you with respect. Give us a call today for a free consultation.
What Are Your Options If Your Home Is Affected by Hurricane Milton?
It’s important to know that you have options if your home was damaged by Hurricane Milton. There are a few steps you can take to increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve, after taking care of the health of yourself and your loved ones.
Document Storm Damage
If you evacuated prior to the storm, you’ll want to assess your home and property for damage after you’re able to return and safely evaluate.
Once you’ve identified any damage, you’ll need to document it. This is an important part of the claims filing process as it helps your insurance company make repair estimates. Additionally, it can be important later on if your case needs to be taken to court.
Take pictures and videos of any damage you find to send to your insurance company. Some damage can be hard to see at first, so be thorough in your evaluation.
Make Temporary Repairs
While you wait for professional help, you may want to make some temporary repairs to the damage you’ve incurred.
Make sure to do so after you document the evidence of your damages. It’s important to make temporary repairs as it can prevent additional damage in the meantime.
Review Your Insurance Policy
You may also want to use this time to take a look at the details of your homeowner’s insurance policy. This can make it easier to understand what compensation you’re eligible for.
Plan details often outline your coverage levels, your deductible, what types of damage are covered under your plan, and more. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the insurance policy jargon, you may want to consider having your Florin|Roebig attorney review your policy to help you understand it better.
File a Claim
Now that you’re set up for success, you’ll want to start filing your hurricane damage insurance claim. With your documentation and policy information by your side, contact your insurance company to get the process underway.
In most cases, there is a certain time frame during which you’ll need to submit your claim following the storm, so be sure to keep this in mind to ensure you have the best chance of receiving coverage.
Have a Professional Assess the Damage
After filing your claim, an insurance adjuster from your insurance provider will be sent out to your home to inspect and assess your damage. It’s important that you’re present for all of the inspections so you can speak up if you don’t agree with the estimates being made. In some cases, the adjuster will provide estimates themselves, while others may hire experts to provide estimates in specialized types of damage.
Apply For Government Assistance
Keep in mind that there are several types of government assistance available to support you in the meantime. This assistance can help you cover the costs of damage and medical expenses related to the storm. Check out the Osceola and Polk counties website for more information on applying for assistance such as FEMA.
Hire a Hurricane Damage Lawyer
You may discover somewhere along the way that you need some professional support during the claims filing process. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or think your insurance company may be acting in bad faith, the triple-board certified lawyers of Florin|Roebig are here to help. Not sure if you need a lawyer? Give us a call for a free case evaluation.
What Damages Can A Hurricane Like Milton Cause?
Damage can vary quite a bit when it comes to a powerful storm like Hurricane Milton. Damage to homes, buildings, personal belongings, and property are all possible. Being familiar with the various types of damage caused by hurricanes is important. This can make it easier to understand what damages to cite in your claim.
Common types of hurricane damage include:
Water Damage and Flooding: One of the common types of damage people notice with hurricanes is water damage and flooding. The heavy rainfall and floods in many areas can cause damage to buildings and property alike. This can lead to issues like warping, mold growth, and weakened foundations.
Wind Damage: The powerful wind speeds of a hurricane can also pose threats to homes and property. This is because fallen trees, branches, and other forms of debris can be sent through the roof or windows of a building.
Structural Damage: It’s no surprise the harsh elements of a storm like Milton can also cause structural damage. This can include damage like weakened foundations, roof damage, or torn walls. Structural damage can be extremely detrimental to a home.
Landscaping and External Damage: Your external property and landscaping may also be damaged in a Category 3 storm, unfortunately. Luckily, this damage may also be covered under your homeowner’s insurance.
Personal Property Damage: Items left in your home or elsewhere on your property may also incur damage from a hurricane. This can include your furniture, valuables, and electronics. Be sure to document damage to these items too.
Secondary Damage: Finally, you may find secondary damage to occur after the storm has resolved. Continued exposure to harsh elements such as flooding and leftover debris can cause additional damage.
Having an expert in hurricane damage on your side can make identifying and documenting damage much easier. Here at Florin|Roebig, our seasoned attorneys can help you figure out what may be eligible for compensation under your policy.
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How Did Hurricane Milton Affect Poinciana?
While Poinciana experienced less harsh effects of Hurricane Milton in comparison to other parts of Florida, residents still incurred serious damage due to the storm.
No evacuations were in effect for Osceola and Polk counties, but the areas still prepared for the storm’s landfall. Osceola County offered a sandbag distribution center to help residents get ready for the hurricane.
Osceola County reported three to seven inches of rain across the county with winds as fast as 76 mph. This led to downed power lines and power outages, damaged billboards, and downed tree limbs in the area.
As for Polk County, more than six in 10 residents experienced power outages and floods up to 16 inches reached some parts of the county. 5,300 properties experienced storm damage after official assessment. Flooding and downed tree branches through roofs were attributed to a majority of the damage. At least two deaths were confirmed in Polk County thus far.
As a Poinciana resident, it is likely you experienced some damage from the storm. Trying to take on the arduous task of filing a storm damage claim may be difficult following the intense emotions and aftermath of the hurricane. Call Florin|Roebig today for a free case evaluation and additional guidance on your claim.
What to Do if Your Insurance Claim Is Denied After a Hurricane
While it’s not the case for everyone, some people run into the issue of claim denial. This can be very frustrating and discouraging, but it’s important to know that your fight isn’t over quite yet. It’s common for insurance companies to let some claims slip through the cracks following a natural disaster like Hurricane Milton due to the high volume of claims. Sometimes, insurance providers also act in bad faith, offering you less compensation than you deserve.
If your insurance company does any of the following, contact the Florin|Roebig law firm immediately:
- They deny your insurance claim.
- Your claim is accepted, but your insurer is delaying payment or dragging out the claim filing process.
- Your adjuster gives you the wrong number, is not returning your calls, or will not pick up the phone.
- Your insurer says the damage is worth less than your deductible amount.
- You are given a settlement offer that is not enough to repair the damage you’ve incurred from the storm.
- Your insurer claims that you need a separate flood insurance policy to cover the damages.
Don’t hesitate to contact Florin|Roebig today for a free consultation if you are experiencing mistreatment from your insurance company or were not rightfully compensated for your property damage. Here at Florin|Roebig, our attorneys know the tricks insurance companies try to pull and how to make sure they don’t pull them on you.
Attorney Hal Weitzenfeld says, “Insurance companies are often only worried about protecting their bottom line rather than giving their clients the compensation they’re entitled to. Our attorneys are no stranger to this mistreatment and know how to protect you and the payout you deserve.”
How Can a Hurricane Damage Lawyer Help?
During the claims filing process, and any related aftermath, there are several ways the hurricane damage attorneys of Florin|Roebig can help. Our expert lawyers will always keep your best interests in mind and can offer their professional guidance every step of the way.
A Florin|Roebig lawyer can help during the claims process by:
- Representing you in court if your insurance company is uncooperative
- Negotiating the maximum compensation associated with your claim
- Helping you document evidence such as pictures and videos, repair estimates, and professional assessments for your claim
- Understanding insurance company jargon when negotiating with your provider
As you can see, there are countless ways hiring an attorney through Florin|Roebig can simplify the insurance claims filing process. With four decades of experience, our lawyers can help you however you need and be someone to rely on during this challenging time.
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How To Get Help From Florin|Roebig Attorneys
If you’re still on the fence about getting professional help from a hurricane damage attorney, don’t hesitate to get a free case review from one of our expert lawyers today.
During our call, we can help you understand your legal rights and options, whether you may need to take your case to court, and whether or not your insurance company is acting in bad faith.
Discuss your claim details and schedule a free consultation today by contacting Florin|Roebig through one of the following methods:
- Call the phone number for your area 24/7.
- Use our chat feature day or night.
- Fill out our online form anytime, and we’ll get back to you promptly.
