Punta Gorda is a town in Charlotte County in Southwest Florida, near the Gulf of Mexico. The town took a near-direct hit from category 4 Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022.
Towns up and down Florida’s Gulf Coast, including Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, and Sarasota, saw catastrophic damage from the storm.
The hurricane left devastating damage across the area. Most of Punta Gorda was under more than six feet of water due to the storm surge from Hurricane Ian.Major water damage and wind damage occurred to properties in the area.
Some insurance carriers are known to act in bad faith after storms like hurricane Ian, trying anything they can to swindle their way out of fully compensating policyholders.
In the state of Florida, you have the right to seek legal representation to help you hold your property insurance company accountable.
If hurricane damage is covered under your homeowner’s insurance or another insurance policy, the insurer needs to pay for damages to your property.
Types Of Damage Caused By Hurricane Ian In Punta Gorda
Hurricane Ian made landfall just west of Punta Gorda before passing directly over the small oceanside town.
The storm brought major damage to the area, leaving buildings and other property underwater or heavily damaged by wind and flying debris.
People in Punta Gorda are returning to their homes to find the following types of damage:
- Flood damage to the exterior and/or interior of the building, caused by storm surge or heavy rainfall.
- Roof, window, and siding damage from the strong windstorm and flying debris
- Damage from fallen trees and other large objects
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Steps To Take After Punta Gorda Property Damage Caused By Hurricane Ian
Intense tropical storms like Hurricane Ian are common across Florida, impacting all areas of the state from Tallahassee, to Orlando, all the way down to Tampa and Miami.
Communities along the gulf coast, including Fort Myers, Naples, Port Charlotte, and others, saw the worst impacts from Hurricane Ian. Unfortunately, Punta Gorda was among the hardest-hit towns in the region.
Property owners whose homes and businesses were damaged in Hurricane Ian need to know what steps to take to ensure that they are compensated for their losses.
Follow these steps if your property has been damaged in Hurricane Ian:
1. Document The Damage
The first step after a hurricane is to assess your property and survey the extent of the damage. The best way to do this is by taking extensive photos and videos of your property.
Try to cover your entire property when documenting, and note any damage that was not there before the storm.
2. Make Temporary Repairs
You might need to make some temporary repairs so that you can use your property until your insurance company pays for long-term repairs.
It is critical that you document any repairs you make and keep receipts for all materials and labor, because your homeowners insurance policy might reimburse you later.
3. Know Your Insurance Coverage
Before you call your insurance provider to file a claim, you should look over your coverage and make sure you understand what is and is not covered under your policy.
Most Florida property insurance does include hurricane coverage, but it is not legally required of them under Florida law.
Further, flood insurance may be separate from your property insurance policy, and hurricane claims that involve flood damage might need to be made to multiple insurers.
4. File An Insurance Claim
As soon as you have completed these steps, file your insurance claim. The sooner you can file your claim, the better. Most policies require you to file a claim within a certain time window after the storm.
Even if your property does not appear to be damaged, filing a claim is a good idea. There could be damage that is not visible or immediately apparent.
5. Get A Third-Party Estimate
Insurance adjusters might undervalue the damage to your property. This is why you should always hire a third-party contractor to assess the damage to your home or business and make a thorough estimate of how much it would cost to properly repair.
If your insurer tries to make a lowball offer, this estimate can be helpful in holding them accountable during the claims process.
6. Hire An Insurance Claims Attorney
Claim denials and other issues are common after storms like Hurricane Ian. Insurance companies will often try anything in order to not pay for repairs.
Don’t let this happen. Get in touch with a qualified insurance claims attorney such as those at the law offices of Florin|Roebig.
Florin|Roebig has years of experience helping people with personal injury cases, car accident claims, insurance disputes, and more. Our Florida-based team of attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve after Hurricane Ian.
When To Hire A Punta Gorda Hurricane Damage Lawyer
You pay your property insurance premium, and you deserve to have the insurance company hold up its side of the deal when disaster strikes.
Unfortunately, insurers get overwhelmed with claims after natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes, and they often act in bad faith after these storms to avoid paying for damage.
If your insurance company is doing any of the following things, contact an insurance claims attorney immediately:
- Your insurance adjuster is not answering the phone or calling you back within a reasonable amount of time.
- The insurer is taking an unreasonable amount of time to process your claim or pay for repairs.
- Your claim is denied without an explanation or for a reason that does not make sense.
- The insurer is offering a lowball settlement that is not sufficient to repair damages.
- The insurer says your policy does not cover the damage, or that you need a separate flood insurance policy.
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Get In Touch With A Punta Gorda Hurricane Damage Claims Lawyer Today
If your Punta Gorda property sustained damage in Hurricane Ian, you deserve to get compensated from your insurance company.
The lawyers at Florin|Roebig will go head-to-head with your insurance company to make sure they give you a payout that is sufficient.
If you have more questions or wish to schedule your free consultation, call the offices of Florin|Roebig today.
