When residents have the proper coverage for hurricane damage, they should be able to access payouts from their insurance companies. Unfortunately, many insurance claims go unpaid or underpaid after a hurricane, with policyholders left trying to recoup their losses.
And the last two hurricanes have left massive amounts of damage throughout the state of Florida. Many residents of Florida who were still recovering from Hurricane Idalia are now forced to start over in dealing with the unscrupulous insurance industry after the latest Hurricane Helene.
How Did Hurricane Helene Affect Tallahassee, Florida?
Most Floridians had been alerted to the presence of Hurricane Helene by Gov. Ron DeSantis in the days leading up to it.
Leading up to Friday, September 27th, 2024, Hurricane Helene was bumped from a Category 3 to a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 160 miles per hour. Floridians heeded evacuation orders for those in the path of Hurricane Helene along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region near Perry late Thursday night and briefly registered as a Category 4 hurricane. The hurricane brought with it heavy rain and high flood waters along with a life-threatening storm surge.
In Tallahassee, NBC reported massive power outages due to downed trees and powerlines leaving hundreds of thousands residents without electricity or running water. Unfortunately, several lives were lost, and residents will be faced with water and mold damage as the flood waters recede.
Tallahassee was not spared from the brutal force of Hurricane Helene storm since it made landfall just miles away, close to the town of Perry. Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey reported Hurricane Helene will have been the strongest storm to ever hit the Big Bend area.
Hurricane Helene Damage Throughout Florida
Towns and islands on Florida’s west coast, such as Cedar Key, Tampa Bay, and Jacksonville, faced massive destruction.
Flooding was caused not only by rain or the storm surge but also by the overflowing Steinhatchee River and high tide, which brought even more water.
As Hurricane Helene made its way toward Georgia, South Carolina, then over Tennessee and Virginia Saturday afternoon, the hurricane weakened into a tropical storm. Floridians in its path were kept informed through news outlets and social media.
The Leon County and Taylor County Sheriffs, along with emergency management, have begun the long search and rescue process. On Friday, the White House announced that President Biden was being kept up to date on the progress of Hurricane Helene.
Hurricane Helene Damage Compensation Options
Hurricane Helene and other Category 4 hurricanes can bring with them massive amounts of damage to homes, businesses, and properties. The good news is if you have property or home insurance, your damage should be covered.
Having your property and home covered by insurance means you should have no problem getting the compensation you deserve. It is important for Floridians to understand that Florida insurance policies require flood damage to be covered separately.
Also, policyholders have up to three years to file a hurricane damage claim. However, filing your insurance claim quickly gives you plenty of time in case you end up in a dispute with your insurance provider.
If your insurance company is failing to pay you total compensation or has ultimately denied your claim, you need the experienced insurance attorneys of Florin|Roebig. They will go head to head with your insurance company to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Common Hurricane Damage In Tallahassee
Tropical storms and hurricanes are known for bringing with them torrential rains, extreme flooding, winds that can blow and gust over 100 miles per hour, and deadly storm surges.
Hurricanes have been divided into separate categories depending on sustained wind speeds. The National Weather Service states that hurricanes that are Category 4 and above are considered major hurricanes due to their potential for significant damage and loss of life.
Hurricane Helene was considered a Category 4 hurricane but was briefly raised to Category 5.
Tallahassee residents were faced with having to rebuild and repair lots of damage to their homes and businesses after the flood waters receded. Many residents now face the tedious process of filing a hurricane damage claim.
Some of the damage most often caused by hurricanes include the following:
- Wind damage: One of the most damaging parts of a hurricane is the forceful and sustained winds. These winds can tear roofs and siding from buildings, flip cars, upend trees, and can cause large objects to fly into buildings.
- Flood and water damage: Hurricanes bring with them torrential rain and flooding, but also deadly storm surges (water pushed over land by wind). Hurricane Helene reportedly caused storm surges 12-16 ft. tall; this is taller than an average city bus.
- Other hurricane damage: Many hurricanes also cause other types of dangerous weather, including tornadoes. When the water recedes, other damage caused by hurricanes that tend to pop up include water damage and mold damage.
The Most Damaged Areas In Tallahassee From Hurricane Helene:
- Southwood – This low-lying community has been overwhelmed by flooding, with streets and homes submerged in water. Storm surges and relentless rainfall have caused severe damage, leaving residents stranded and homes devastated.
- Killearn Estates – Killearn Estates has been heavily affected by Hurricane Helene’s high winds. Countless trees have been uprooted, crashing into homes and blocking roads. Power outages are widespread, and debris is scattered throughout the area, making recovery efforts challenging.
- Midtown – Midtown Tallahassee has suffered from both wind and flood damage. The storm overwhelmed the area’s drainage systems, leading to severe flooding in the streets and neighborhoods. The high winds caused damage to buildings, businesses, and homes, leaving many residents in need of immediate assistance.
- Lake Talquin Area – The rural communities surrounding Lake Talquin have been devastated by the hurricane. Powerful winds brought down trees, blocked roads, and caused power outages, while rising water levels have led to localized flooding, leaving many homes damaged and residents isolated.
- Apalachee Parkway – One of the city’s major routes, Apalachee Parkway has been left impassable in many sections due to flooding and debris. Businesses and homes along the parkway have suffered significant damage from wind and water, and power outages are widespread across the area.
Hurricanes rarely leave anything in their paths untouched and cause massive amounts of damage from the roof of your property all the way to its foundation. Everything in between, such as furniture, paneling, and wooden floors, is subject to absolute destruction.
This is why it is imperative that, if your home is covered by insurance, you receive every penny of what your claim calls for.
If your insurance company has closed your claim without payment, or they have tried to seriously underpay your claim, contact the law offices of Florin|Roebig today.
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What To Do If Your Insurance Claim Is Denied Or Underpaid
When you buy and maintain a homeowners insurance policy, you expect that in the event that something horrible happens to your home or property, your insurance company will cover it. Unfortunately, many policyholders are finding that that is not necessarily the case.
If your insurance company has grossly underpaid or denied your valid property damage claim, you still have options.
1. Seek A Second Review With Your Insurance Adjuster
The first thing you need to do is contact your insurance provider and ask to speak with your insurance adjuster.
You can then ask them to perform a second review of the damage to your home or property. You may be sent paperwork that needs to be completed and returned quickly.
If they do grant your request for a second review, you may be asked to provide more proof of loss. You can complete this request by producing more photographs from various angles, videos, or another second opinion by a third-party contractor.
2. File A Complaint
If you have requested a second review from your insurance company and they have either denied or failed to reverse their decision, you need to consider filing a complaint.
In order to file an official complaint, you will need to contact the Florida Division of Consumer Services (FDCS).
The FDCS is a division of the Florida Department of Financial Services and is responsible for looking into complaints against the insurance industry. If they are unable to reach a settlement on your behalf, they may suggest that you seek legal representation.
3. Contact Florin|Roebig Insurance Attorneys
If the FDCS has advised you to seek legal action against your insurance provider, contact the law offices of Florin|Roebig. There are times when your insurance company can only be made to pay if they face serious legal consequences.
Your Florin|Roebig insurance attorney will attempt to settle with your insurance company out of court.
If they still refuse to pay, your attorney will present your case to a judge and explain why your insurance provider should be made to fulfill their end of the bargain.
Benefits Of Hiring Hurricane Damage Lawyers
Hurricane damage lawyers have spent countless hours dedicated to understanding insurance law and are uniquely qualified to assist properties and homeowners with their insurance claims.
Fight Against Underpaid Claims
Unfortunately, when significant events like Hurricane Helene occur, insurance companies often become quickly overwhelmed by the amount of property damage claims that are filed.
Stressed insurance companies may begin to underpay and deny rightful claims. The good news is that insurance attorneys are knowledgeable about these bad faith tactics used by insurance companies.
After your insurance lawyer reviews your case, they will fight your insurance company to make sure you get every bit of compensation you are owed.
Increase Claim Response Time
One of the tactics used by insurance companies is to stall, hoping that you will give up on collecting your payment.
A hurricane damage lawyer will not allow your insurance provider to give you the runaround by forcing them to stick to the time frame set by Florida insurance law.
Build A Strong Claim
Another way insurance attorneys are helpful is by helping you build a strong claim from the very start. Insurance lawyers know that the best way to make sure your claim is taken seriously and fulfilled is by turning in a strong claim as soon as possible.
Hurricane damage lawyers know what your insurance company is going to be looking for in your claim, such as a third-party contractor or public adjuster’s official opinion.
They can help you make sure your photographs and videos are clear, and your insurance information is correct.
Hiring a Florin|Roebig insurance attorney before your insurance claim is denied can be beneficial for many reasons, but most importantly, they will handle the insurance stress for you.
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Get Help From Reputable Hurricane Damage Insurance Attorneys
When a person signs up for an insurance plan, they are agreeing to pay a certain premium in order for monetary protection of the property in the event that something damages it. Just because your insurance company is stressed does not mean they can refuse to pay.
If your insurance company is refusing to pay for your repair costs, call Florin|Roebig immediately. 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 of awards to date.
We can set up a free consultation to evaluate your claims case. During this meeting, your Florin|Roebig attorney will explain to you the strengths and weaknesses of your case and give you your best options.