With its gorgeous Gulf Coast location just south of Tampa and proximity to gems like Siesta, Lido, and Longboat Keys, Sarasota is one of the most desirable places to live in Florida.
Unfortunately, seaside homes in the state of Florida are particularly prone to the storm damage caused by tropical storms and hurricanes, and Hurricane Ian is just the latest example of how detrimental hurricane season can be in the greater Tampa area.
But there’s no point paying high premiums on homeowners insurance if your insurance company doesn’t pay its fair share, too.
That’s why it’s especially important to find a law firm that can help you understand your homeowners insurance policy, and make sure your insurance company lives up to their promises.
Types Of Damage Caused By Hurricane Ian In Sarasota
Many Floridians in the Tampa area have experienced a particularly bad run in the wake of this windstorm.
Most tragically, Ian has been responsible for a number of fatalities, with a current death toll of 89 people, earning the storm the title of the deadliest Florida hurricane since 1935.
The amount of personal injuries caused by the havoc hasn’t been as closely tabulated, but is undoubtedly also astronomical.
And Ian has also had a huge impact on Florida properties, thanks to the storm’s strong winds and rainy skies.
Water damage, wind damage, and flood damage have all been named by property owners in insurance disputes. High winds, which led to more than 70 tornado warnings issued around the storm, have also caused massive roof damage, thanks to the debris they blew in during Ian’s run.
A number of houses have also been left without power since the storm hit, leaving vulnerable areas more open to vandalism.
And inland flooding in Ian’s wake has gone far enough to impact Florida’s highway system, adding millions of dollars in damage to a damage total that is estimated to cost just shy of $60 billion.
While private insurance companies won’t be on the hook for all of that money, they are already being inundated with damage claims. And many Floridians are worried this could lead to bad faith insurance — situations where a company will try to get out of paying their fair share of any hurricane insurance claims.
What To Do After Hurricane Ian Damages Your Property In Sarasota
If you’re a Florida homeowner who’s experienced property damage caused by Hurricane Ian, it is likely in your best interest to make an insurance claim.
But the claims process can be confusing, especially if you use different insurance companies to cover your property insurance and flood insurance.
Still, regardless of your insurance provider or the type of insurance coverage you have, there are a number of steps that will be helpful for you to take. Overall, you want to do everything you can to protect yourself against an insurance company operating in bad faith.
Record All Property Damage And Other Damages
One of the most important steps you can take in the wake of a Florida hurricane is to record all the damage to your property.
It’s important to wait until you’re sure the property is safe before surveying the damage. Once you have the green light, walk around and make a list of all your damaged property.
Make sure not to remove any damaged belongings until an insurance adjuster has evaluated your home. This could help strengthen your insurance claim. Taking photos or videos of any damage will also be useful.
Generally, it’s advised for flood insurance policyholders to make a list of personal belongings before a hurricane arrives, to make the process of documenting damaged property easier.
Get Repair Estimates
Once you have an idea of the damage, it’s time to assess the cost of the aftermath.
Relying on an insurance company’s adjuster alone is not advised. These employees will typically try to offer you the lowest price possible.
Instead, you may want to hire a reputable contractor who’s experienced with hurricane insurance claims to give you a closer estimate to what it will really take to restore your home.
Perform Repairs If Necessary
Once you’ve had your damage claims assessed by a representative for your homeowner’s insurance and a private contractor, you can move on with any repairs your home may need.
It’s important to save any and all receipts acquired during this process, as the cost of fixing your home during this time can also be presented to your insurance provider.
Make Your Insurance Claim
Many insurance policies require you to make a claim as soon as possible.
As soon as you have an idea of the total damage, it’s time to call your property insurance company and file your claim.
Representatives may have a number of questions for you, so make sure to have all damage estimates and receipts available. It may also help to re-read your insurance policy, to refamiliarize yourself with the agreement and give you a chance to think of any questions you may have.
Find An Insurance Claims Attorney
If you have trouble with the claims process or believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith, it might be time to think about hiring an attorney.
Reaching out for a free case evaluation will give an insurance claims attorney the chance to learn the details of your case, and offer any advice on how to best navigate Florida laws to your advantage.
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When Should You Hire An Insurance Claims Lawyer?
You should consider hiring an insurance claims lawyer if you come by any of the following signs and common types of bad faith in your insurance company:
- Claims that the damage is not covered by your policy
- Difficulty getting an adjuster assigned to your case
- Delays in receiving payments for repairs
- An unreasonable amount of time to process your claim
- A claim is unfairly denied or denied without explanation
- An extreme lowball settlement offer
An experienced law group will be able to help you fight back against this unfair treatment.
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Contact Florin|Roebig For Help Getting Compensation After Hurricane Ian Damage
Don’t let your home become another victim of hurricane season and shady insurance companies. Hire a law group that has your back.
Whether you’re in Tampa, Orlando, Bradenton, Naples, or somewhere else in the state, you can count on the law firm of Florin|Roebig to provide sound legal advice.
We’ve been helping clients like you with cases of personal injury, car accidents, and insurance claims for more than 30 years, with millions won in case awards to date.
Call the experienced hurricane property damage lawyers at Florin|Roebig today for a free consultation.
