Florin|Roebig attorney Chad K. Florin says “Our attorneys know first-hand the devastating effects a hurricane can have on your home, property, and livelihood. With plenty of experience and compassion, our lawyers are ready to fight for you now.”
Port St. Lucie is a town of 231,790 located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. The city is a part of St. Lucie County and is home to many, ranking the sixth most populous town in the state.
Unfortunately, the hurricane exposed Port St. Lucie to harsh elements including heavy rain, powerful winds, flooding, and tornadoes. In the county alone, at least seven deaths have been confirmed. Over 64,000 experienced power outages and thousands of homes were left damaged from the storm.
If you’ve come home to damage to your home or property, you may be wondering what step to take next. It’s important that you file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance to receive coverage for the damage you’ve incurred. This is not always an easy process, especially when insurance companies are overwhelmed by a high volume of claims. This is why it’s important to have the law offices of Florin|Roebig on your side.
With four decades of experience and a shining track record, the hurricane damage lawyers of Florin|Roebig not only have the experience but also the determination it takes to fight for you. Call today for a free consultation and additional guidance.
What Are Your Options If Your Home Is Affected by Hurricane Milton?
It’s important to know that you have options if your home and property have been affected by Hurricane Milton. Once you’ve addressed the health of you and your loved ones, there are several steps you can take to get you on the right path.
Document Property Damage
Once you’ve had a chance to examine the damage done to your home and property, you should document storm-related destruction.
This will help you in filing your insurance claim as it provides evidence of damage. Down the line, this documentation may be used in court to ensure you get the payout you’re entitled to if your insurance company won’t cooperate.
Documentation can include photos or videos of any part of your property or home that have incurred storm-related damage.
Make Temporary Repairs
Once you’ve documented evidence of your damages, you can make temporary repairs to the damage before getting professional help.
If you are able to patch up damages to your home, you may be able to prevent exposure to the elements and additional damage that can come in the following days.
Review Your Home Insurance Policy
It may seem mundane, but it’s vital that you take the time to read your homeowner’s policy after experiencing storm-related damage. This will ensure you are in the loop with what your plan does and does not cover.
By reviewing your insurance policy before you file your claim, you may be able to better understand what your deductible is, what types of damage are covered, and what level of coverage you have. That way, you’re less likely to be undercut by your insurance provider.
Contact Your Insurance Company
The next step is to actually get the claims process started. It’s a good idea to have your policy information on hand and keep documentation organized before starting your claim. With everything in one place, you won’t have to scramble to find documents while on the phone.
While it’s important that you prioritize all concerns following a natural disaster, keep in mind that many insurance companies have a time frame during which you can file a claim following the event.
Have a Professional Assess the Damage
Once your claim has been filed, you’ll need to have an insurance adjuster come assess the damage to your home and property. For any inspections done by your provider, make sure you are home to answer any questions and ensure that repair estimates align with your expectations. The adjuster may provide estimates themselves, or they may have a professional assess the damage in certain situations.
Apply For Government Assistance
Know that you are not expected to handle the costs of hurricane aftermath on your own. Government assistance is organized to help out the citizens of St. Port Lucie following this detrimental storm. For more information on applying for assistance through FEMA, look to the St. Lucie County website.
Hire a Hurricane Damage Attorney
If you’re struggling to wrap your head around the claims process or feel your insurance company is treating you improperly during the claims journey, you may want to consider hiring a hurricane damage lawyer. Florin|Roebig’s highly experienced attorneys have years of experience to help guide you through the process and advocate for you when needed.
What Damages Can A Hurricane Like Milton Cause?
Unfortunately, a storm as powerful as Hurricane Milton has the potential to cause extensive damage to homes, property, and people. You may not be aware of all of the types of destruction the storm can cause. We’ve broken down common types of damage below to help you understand what may be covered under your insurance.
It can be tricky to see damage right away in some cases, so make sure to thoroughly inspect your home and be careful when entering damaged buildings.
Hurricane Milton was responsible for damage such as:
Water Damage and Flooding: The most evident type of damage many people experience following a hurricane is water damage and flooding. With several inches of rain falling over the course of the storm, many houses may have experienced water damage that lead to mold growth or foundation destruction.
Wind Damage: Wind damage is also common following storms like Hurricane Milton. The extreme wind speeds and wind gusts caused by the Category 3 storm can easily damage buildings. Many residents also experienced the aftermath of tornadoes following the storm.
Structural Damage: Damage to the structure of your house is also possible, but it may be more challenging to assess at first. Roof damage, torn walls, and a weakened foundation are likely to occur following a powerful storm.
Landscaping and External Damage: With less protection from the storm, your yard and exterior property are likely to have experienced destruction from the hurricane. Be sure to assess these areas as well when documenting damage.
Personal Property Damage: All of the items in your home and on your property are also susceptible to damage, unfortunately. This could include electronics, furniture, and other valuable items.
Secondary Damage: Even after the storm, you may experience secondary damage. The residual flooding and exposure to the elements can cause additional damage.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the damage from the storm or are not sure how to determine what was caused by the storm and what wasn’t, it may be time to call the expert attorneys of Florin|Roebig. Our lawyers can help you make sure all damage is listed in your claim and gets coverage.
How Did Hurricane Milton Affect Port St. Lucie?
Port St. Lucie was greatly impacted by Hurricane Milton, much like many other communities in St. Lucie County. The county saw extreme rains, high-force winds, power outages, fallen trees and power lines, and extensive damage.
At least two tornadoes hit St. Lucie County, leaving additional property damage and resulting in several deaths. A total of seven people have been confirmed dead as a result of the hurricane.
Following such a traumatic and destructive natural disaster, it can seem impossible to take on the task of filing a claim or having to argue with your insurance company. With the lawyers of Florin|Roebig on your side, you can leave the hard parts in our hands. We’ll make sure you are treated with respect and get the compensation you deserve.
Our Featured Case Results
What to Do if Your Insurance Claim Is Denied After a Hurricane
If your insurance claim is denied following a hurricane, it’s important to note that you have options and this isn’t the end of the road. Some insurance providers act in bad faith while handling property damage claims while others may unintentionally neglect claims during the high influx of claims following a storm.
If your insurance company does any of the following things, contact the Florin|Roebig law firm immediately:
- Your insurance claim is denied.
- You are given a settlement offer that is not enough to repair the damage done to your property.
- Your adjuster will not pick up the phone, gives you the wrong number, or is not returning your calls.
- Your insurance claim is accepted, but the process is taking too long or your insurer is delaying payment.
- Your insurer says the damage is worth less than your deductible amount.
- Your insurer claims that you need a separate flood insurance policy to cover the damages.
The highly reliable and reputable hurricane damage attorneys of Florin|Roebig are available for a free consultation as soon as today. We’re ready to fight for you and make sure your insurance company doesn’t try to pull a fast one.
“Not all insurance companies are created equally,” Florin|Roebig lawyer Chad K. Florin says. “The law offices of Florin|Roebig know how to handle an insurance provider acting in bad faith and make sure you get the maximum payout you deserve.”
How Can a Hurricane Damage Lawyer Help?
There are many ways a hurricane damage lawyer can help you during the stressful and overwhelming period following a natural disaster. Simply put, having a Florin|Roebig attorney on your team guarantees someone will speak up for you when things get tricky.
Ways a Florin|Roebig lawyer can help during the claims process include:
- Speaking insurance company jargon when negotiating with your provider
- Negotiating the maximum compensation you’re entitled to
- Helping you collect evidence for your claim such as pictures and videos, professional assessments, and repair estimates
- Represent you in court if your company won’t cooperate
With several decades of experience, the law offices of Florin|Roebig have the know-how to effectively navigate the tricky process of filing a property damage claim. Call us today for more guidance.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
How To Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
If you’re unsure of whether or not you need legal representation during your claims filing process, don’t hesitate to take advantage of the free consultations the lawyers of Florin|Roebig provide.
We can help you determine if you’re in need of additional guidance or if your insurance company is acting in bad faith. You are entitled to the coverage you pay for after experiencing the detrimental effects of Hurricane Milton or Hurricane Helene.
Contact Florin|Roebig to discuss your case details and schedule a free case evaluation today by:
- Filling out our online form anytime, and we’ll get back to you promptly.
- Calling the phone number for your area 24/7.
- Using our chat feature day or night.