Riverview sits an hour north of Siesta Key, the barrier island where Hurricane Milton made landfall. As a suburb of Tampa, Riverview did not experience the forecasted storm surge, but the city did have flooding and other storm damage.
As a result, properties in Riverview have damage from high water and strong winds, causing dangerous conditions for anyone trying to assess their losses from the October 2024 Category 3 storm.
It’s reasonable to assume that once you’re able to document your property damage and file an insurance claim, the company will send a check to cover anything that falls under your policy. Unfortunately, as insurance companies get overwhelmed and bad actors deny claims just to see if they can avoid paying, policyholders suffer.
To deal with bad faith insurance companies after Hurricane Milton, contact Florin|Roebig. Our legal team can help you dispute insurance claims that have been denied and get you the compensation you deserve.
“We prefer that our clients not have to deal directly with insurance companies following a natural disaster, because we’ve seen how insurance companies work to deceive them about their coverage and their rights,” says Florin|Roebig hurricane damage attorney Kavon P. Smith.
Types Of Damage Caused By Hurricane Milton In Riverview
Before making landfall, Hurricane Milton was a Category 5 storm. It was downgraded and hit the Florida coast as a Category 3 then weakened to a Category 1 as it moved across the state. Riverview and many other cities not in the main path of the record-breaking storm still felt its impact with 38 confirmed tornadoes, strong winds, persistent rains, and high floodwaters.
Riverview residents and property owners had these types of damage from Hurricane Milton:
- Wind damage: Leading to fallen trees, downed power lines, and scattered debris
- Heavy rain damage: Causing moisture buildup and property damage
- Flood damage: Water rushing through and carrying debris and standing water issues with bacteria and mold
Riverview is accustomed to flooding along the Alafia River, but the double hits from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton led to extreme flooding and dangers from debris, bacteria, and compromised power lines and indoor electricity.
The Mosaic Company in Riverview has also released statements that one of its phosphate mine collection systems overflowed into Tampa Bay as it was overwhelmed by Hurricane Milton flood waters. The company also stated that the toxic contamination was quickly contained.
While residents state that initial damage reports aren’t nearly as bad as expected, cleanup and recovery will take a very long time. Unfortunately, standing floodwater and areas that don’t receive proper cleaning can feed dangerous bacteria and mold, leading to extended damage to property that may not have been as bad if the repairs were handled sooner.
Attorney Kavon P. Smith explains, “This can be one of many results of insurance payout delays, and at Florin|Roebig, it’s one of the reasons we push insurance companies to pay what they owe clients as quickly as possible. The sooner you get paid for your storm damage claims, the easier it is to finish repairing what Hurricane Milton caused. Denials and delays can exacerbate the damage and increase your claims against bad faith insurance companies.”
Steps To Take After Riverview Property Damage Caused By Hurricane Milton
With 120+ mph sustained winds and major flooding, Hurricane Milton caused a lot of damage to residential and commercial properties in Riverview. Millions of Floridians were without power, and even high-ground areas experienced flooding.
If you’re one of the thousands with Hurricane Milton storm damage, know which steps to take to protect your investments and legal rights.
1. Document All Property Damage
As the city recovers, roads reopen, and power is restored, property owners can begin getting evidence of Hurricane Milton storm damage. You need to take pictures and videos of everything from as many angles as possible. Some damage won’t show immediately, and the visual evidence may show what your eyes missed.
You should also make a list of all property damage, inside and outside. Even if it seems minor, it contributes to the overall understanding of how your home or business was affected.
2. Make Temporary Home Repairs
Some repairs may be needed for your home to be livable or to protect your belongings from additional damage. If that’s the case, temporary repairs are the best way to ensure you don’t cover up evidence of damage. Keep any receipts for supplies and equipment, and include a list of the repairs in your documentation. You can submit those as part of your insurance claim.
3. Review Your Insurance Coverage
What your insurance policy covers will matter when you go to file your claim. Taking the time to read through your coverage details can prevent later issues. Make sure that your claims fit within your policy and that you’re meeting any additional requirements, such as out-of-pocket expenses.
If the language is confusing (and it often is to help your insurance company hold onto their profits), a storm damage claim attorney at Florin|Roebig can interpret it for you.
4. File A Homeowners Insurance Claim
There are a lot of steps to documenting and filing your claims, but it’s important to get through that part of the process as quickly as possible. Your insurance company may have requirements and deadlines that differ from what the state of Florida sets, and you need to meet all of those to validate your claim.
5. Get A Third-Party Estimate
Your insurance adjuster will value your damage, and insurance companies may have suggested contractors to do repairs for you. However, getting a third-party contractor to do an estimate before your adjuster can support your dispute if the adjuster’s number is too low to cover your repair costs.
6. Hire An Insurance Claims Attorney
Even when you’ve checked your policy and followed all the rules, your insurance company may still deny your claim. The good news is that a certified insurance claim attorney can take on your provider on your behalf. Florin|Roebig has been dealing with Florida insurance company bad actors for over 30 years.
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When To Hire A Riverview Hurricane Damage Lawyer
At any point in the process of filing your storm damage claims you run into issues, you can reach out to a hurricane damage lawyer with questions. At Florin|Roebig, we can walk you through claim denials and tricky insurance company tactics.
Any of these situations with your insurance company should lead to contacting the hurricane damage attorneys at Florin|Roebig for a free case evaluation:
- Inability to reach your insurance adjuster
- Settlement offer below repair estimation
- Claim payout is denied or delayed
- Damage not covered under policy
When your insurance company responds to your claim with a denial, they should include details on why. If not, you can request a detailed letter from the company. You should expect to have a correct contact number for your adjuster and to receive timely responses from them.
When it’s not happening, you have every right to know why the delays and denials occur.
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Get In Touch With An Riverview Hurricane Damage Claims Lawyer Today
With all of the hassle and challenges that follow a major storm like Hurricane Milton, it helps to have a law office that understands what you’re facing. As residents of Florida for multiple decades, the board-certified attorneys at Florin|Roebig have walked with numerous clients in the aftermath of so many of life’s storms.
We’re familiar with the law and Florida insurance companies, and we know how to apply the first to make the second pay what you’re owed. Call Florin|Roebig Law Firm for a free consultation 24/7.
