Has your hotel or motel been damaged in a windstorm? If so, repairs and replacements can be costly, and not all insurance companies will readily agree to a fair settlement.

What Is A Windstorm?

It’s important to know the difference between a windstorm and other types of storms or natural phenomena. This is essential when working with your insurance company, as your insurance policy may only cover particular kinds of storms such as hurricanes or flooding. A windstorm is typically classified as a storm that includes winds that are strong enough to result in damage to structures or trees and can be accompanied by rain or hail. During a windstorm, wind speeds often reach higher than 34 mph and can include several different types of winds, including:

• Downbursts: This type of wind causes strong downbursts of winds and is typically accompanied by a thunderstorm. Downbursts can be highly damaging and can even be as dangerous as tornadoes and wreak just as much havoc.
• Straight-line winds: This is any wind that does not portray a rotation.
• Gust fronts: This type of wind happens when cold air mixes with warm air during a thunderstorm.
• High-speed winds: This is a kind of wind that travels consistently at high speed.
• Derecho: This is a type of windstorm that typically lasts a long while and is widespread. It often includes several bands of thunderstorms and showers.
• Microburst: This is a small, very concentrated type of wind that comes in the form of a downburst and can travel up to or higher than 168 mph.

According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, winds from severe thunderstorms cause more damage than tornadoes in the lower 48 states. The damage from a windstorm can span hundreds of miles and leave behind immense damage to buildings, trees, homes, vehicles, and anything else standing in its way.

Types of Damage Caused to Hotel/Motel Complexes By Windstorms

Windstorms can be a dangerous natural event and leave much damage in their wake. If you own a hotel or motel and have recently experienced a windstorm in your area, your property may have experienced damages such as:

• Cracked roof shingles
• Roof damage from the roof lifting up
• Roof damage from other objects such as trees and branches
• Damage to the exterior of the property
• Landscape damage
• Broken windows
• Broken or damaged screening
• Water leaks
• External or internal water damage
• Holes in siding
• Cracks or other damage to siding
• Damage to the parking lot or exterior area of the property

The kind and extent of damage experienced after a windstorm will largely depend on a number of different factors. These factors include what type of windstorm it was, how fast the wind speeds were, and where your hotel or motel is located geographically. For example, if your property is located near several trees and other objects that could come loose during a windstorm, you may have a higher level of damage than buildings that were in an area free of these types of objects.

What To Do If Your Hotel/Motel Is Damaged By A Windstorm

If your hotel or motel establishment has suffered damage from a windstorm, there are several practical steps you’ll need to take to ensure you get the compensation you need from your insurance company. These steps include:

Capture Images

Take pictures of all of the damage caused by the storm. Include large and obvious places of damage as well as minor damage, such as cracks to the exterior walls or holes in a window screen. If a windstorm is covered under your insurance policy, it will be important to document all damage caused to make sure you get it covered and repaired.

You can also take video documentation of any damage inflicted on your establishment. Any type of documentation that clearly shows the damage done is sufficient.

Document All Damage And Costs

There are often several out-of-pocket expenses that come immediately following a storm to prevent further damage from occurring and to protect any valuables that were left vulnerable to the elements after the storm. For example, you may need to pay a company to come in and get out all of the outside water from inside your hotel or motel to prevent mold and mildew from setting in. Or, you may need to purchase a tarp to place over an open area that is exposed to the outside. For all of these costs, save your receipts and document what each service or purchase was used for.

You should also make a list of all of the damage incurred and the estimated price for each piece of damage. For example, if your roof were destroyed, you’d want to estimate the cost to have the roof repaired and include that in your documentation of the damage. This also includes any valuables, furniture, vehicles, artwork, and other belongings.

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Filing A Claim With Your Commercial Property Insurance Company

If you own a motel or hotel, there’s a good possibility that you have insurance on that piece of property. Depending on what type of insurance policy you have, your insurance may or may not provide coverage for damage done to your property that was a direct result of a windstorm. If you’re unsure of your coverage and what you’re eligible to receive in terms of compensation, be sure to work with an experienced property damage attorney such as those at Florin|Roebig to avoid any confusion and to get expert guidance and help when it comes to filing a claim and working with your insurance company.

If your attorney does advise you to submit a claim with your insurance company immediately, you’ll want to do so by calling the claims number listed on your insurance card or on the insurance company’s website. Most insurance companies will document your claim and then have a local claims processor contact you within 24 to 72 hours. When they contact you, they will likely want you to provide a statement that details all damage incurred and the estimated cost of what it will take to repair or replace the damage done to your hotel or motel. What you say can and will be used against you should your insurance company not provide coverage, so it’s always a good idea to work with your attorney on how you respond when answering questions for your statement.

Once your insurance company’s claims representative receives the statement, they will likely open an investigation and visit your hotel or motel to assess the damage and obtain any documentation you have on it. The investigation can take several weeks depending on the damage done, the estimates the insurance company needs, and any estimates you want to seek on your own. Once the investigation is considered complete, your insurance company will either provide you with some or all of your requested compensation or will deny your compensation based on various factors.

Will My Insurance Cover Wind Damage Caused By A Windstorm?

Most insurance companies that offer property insurance to property owners provide property protection coverage, liability coverage, or both. Each property insurance account can include several different policies, such as flood insurance, hurricane insurance, and renters insurance. 

Most insurance policies will include coverage for weather-related damages or injuries, including those caused by lightning, wind, smoke, fire, hail, and snow. Some insurance companies require that you take out an additional policy for specific natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods. For example, most property owners in the state of Florida must have hurricane insurance, otherwise their insurance company will not provide compensation in the event of a hurricane, even if the damage was caused by wind, rain, or hail.

The exact insurance company you work with and the insurance policy you have will largely dictate what you are eligible for in terms of compensation. If property damage caused by wind or by a windstorm is not part of your policy, you may have issues getting compensation from your insurance carrier.

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What Happens If My Insurance Claim Is Denied?

If your insurance claim is denied, or if you simply want expert help when it comes to getting the settlement you deserve for damage done to your hotel or motel by a windstorm, be sure to turn to the dedicated and highly experienced lawyers at Florin|Roebig. We work hard so you don’t have to. We know just how stressful it can be to deal with the damage done to large properties, and we’re willing to work with your insurance company to ensure you get the compensation you need and deserve. Call us today for a free consultation.