Sanibel is a city located on Sanibel Island, west of Fort Myers on the Florida Gulf Coast. Sanibel Island took a nearly direct hit from Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022. The island saw widespread destruction from devastating storm surge, winds, and heavy rains.
Damage to Sanibel and the surrounding areas led to a state of emergency declaration by Gov. Ron Desantis.
The entirety of Sanibel Island was under more than six feet of water from Hurricane Ian’s storm surge, according to The New York Times. Storm damage affected nearly every property on the island.
Unfortunately, some Florida insurance companies are acting in bad faith after Hurricane Ian. They are engaging in underpaying property owners or not paying them at all.
Under Florida law, you have the right to hire an attorney to go head-to-head with your insurance company and make sure they honor your insurance policy.
Types Of Damage Caused By Hurricane Ian In Sanibel
Hurricane Ian made landfall just north of Sanibel Island as a Category 4 hurricane, one of the strongest storms to ever hit Florida.
From flooding to wind damage, Sanibel saw the worst of Hurricane Ian’s destruction. Property owners across Sanibel Island and greater Lee County are returning to find homes and businesses that are completely destroyed.
Some of the most common types of damage to property in Sanibel Island include:
- Flood damage to the interior and/or exterior of a building due to storm surge or heavy rainfall
- Wind damage to roof and siding, as well as property damage from flying debris such as window damage
- Damage from fallen trees
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Steps To Take After Your Sanibel Property Is Damaged By Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian has caused major damage across the state of Florida. Property owners in areas like Miami, Naples, Orlando, Tampa, Palm Beach, and Fort Myers Beach are picking up the pieces after this devastating storm and beginning to rebuild.
If your home or business sustained damage in Hurricane Ian, your property insurance might be liable to pay for repairs.
Floridians need to know what to do after a hurricane to ensure they are compensated correctly by their insurance provider.
Follow these steps if your property has been damaged in Hurricane Ian:
1. Document The Damage
If you have real estate that has been damaged in Hurricane Ian, it is critical that you act quickly to document the damage. Take extensive photos and videos of your property in its current state.
Always heed orders from emergency management officials from organizations such as FEMA. If they are advising residents to stay out of an area, it is because it is still unsafe to enter. Wait until you are cleared to document the damage.
Documentation could serve as important evidence if your insurance provider tries to underpay you or say that they are not responsible for repairs.
2. Make Temporary Repairs
It might be necessary to make repairs to your property immediately to make it safe to inhabit or use for the time being.
If you do this, make sure to keep receipts or all the materials and labor. You might be able to get reimbursed for these repairs later on.
3. Know Your Insurance Coverage
Before filing a claim, read over your homeowner’s insurance policy and make sure that you understand what is and is not covered under your policy.
Some policies cover hurricane damage but require you to have separate flood insurance. Understanding these details can save time and make it easier to file your claim.
4. File An Insurance Claim
When you are ready, you should file a claim with your property insurance company. This should be done as quickly as possible after the storm.
Many policies have a time window during which you may file a claim. If you miss this window, it will hurt your chances of being compensated.
You should file a claim even if your property does not have visible damage. There could be damage you are unable to see.
5. Get A Third-Party Estimate
Have a third-party contractor come and do an assessment of your damaged property and make an estimate for repairs.
If your insurance adjuster tries to offer less money than it will cost to repair the property, you can use the third-party estimate as evidence when asking for a higher settlement amount.
6. Hire An Insurance Claims Attorney
After storms like Ian, insurance companies are inundated with calls, and they might try to underpay your claim or not pay it at all.
One way to ensure that you are fully compensated for any damage covered by insurance is to contact a law firm like Florin|Roebig that has experienced insurance claims attorneys available.
Florin|Roebig offers free consultations, and we can help you determine whether hiring a lawyer is the right thing to do.
When To Hire A Sanibel Hurricane Damage Lawyer
You pay your insurance premium, and you deserve to have your provider pay for damages when disaster strikes.
Don’t let your insurance provider get away with acting in bad faith. Know when to hire an experienced Florida insurance claims attorney to help you hold them accountable.
If you have any of the following experiences with your property insurance company, contact an attorney right away:
- You are having trouble getting in touch with your insurance adjuster and/or they are not returning your calls.
- Your claim is denied for a reason that does not make sense to you, or without explanation.
- Your insurance company is taking too long to process your claim or deliver a payout.
- Your insurance company offers a settlement offer that is not adequate to cover necessary repairs.
- Your insurance company says the damage is not covered under your policy, or says that you need a separate flood insurance policy to have coverage.
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Contact A Sanibel Hurricane Damage Claims Lawyer Today
If your home or business in Sanibel sustained damage during Hurricane Ian, you deserve to be compensated by your insurance company.
Florin|Roebig has a team of experienced personal injury lawyers and insurance claims attorneys who are standing by to help Florida residents in this time of need.
Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule your free initial consultation with an insurance claims attorney.
