Fort Lauderdale Hurricane Damage Lawyers

Hurricane season brings considerable stress and uncertainty to Florida homeowners – will it be a mild season or one full of severe storms? When the worst does happen, and a hurricane or storm damages your property, you expect your insurance company to honor your policy and cover the repairs. The reality is often somewhat different. You may be facing significant delays – or even a denied claim instead – even when there is legitimate damage. Insurance companies may also try to reduce what they have to pay by offering you a settlement that doesn’t come close to what you need to rebuild.

At The Bald Injury Lawyers, we know exactly how insurance companies operate. We are former insurance defense attorneys, and we know their playbook well. Today, we use that knowledge to fight for Florida homeowners. Whether you face a denied claim, a lowball offer, or months of delays, we cut through the red tape to get you the results you need.

You pay premiums every year to protect your home. When disaster strikes, your insurer should protect your claim. If you are getting the runaround with your insurance company, stop playing by their game and give us a call.

Should I Do Anything to Protect My Property Before a Pending Hurricane in Florida?

Yes. Securing and documenting your property before a hurricane strengthens your insurance claim if damage occurs. Insurance companies often dispute the extent of hurricane damage by claiming pre-existing conditions caused the destruction. They may also say you did not take any steps to try to protect your property. Taking these steps may seem tedious, but taking the time to secure your property and document everything now can save you thousands of dollars and months of frustration later.

Steps to prepare and document your property before a hurricane:

• Take Photos and Videos of Your Entire Property: Document your roof, walls, windows, doors, and exterior from multiple angles in good light and while conditions are clear.
• Photograph the Interior of Your Home: Capture images of ceilings, walls, floors, and all rooms to show their pre-storm condition.
• Document Your Belongings: Take photos or videos of furniture, electronics, appliances, jewelry, and other valuable items throughout your home.
• Review Your Insurance Policy: Examine your coverage limits, deductibles, and what types of damage your policy covers before the storm hits.
• Create a Home Inventory List: Make a detailed list of your possessions with descriptions, purchase dates, and estimated values.
• Store Documentation Safely: Save all photos, videos, and documents in cloud storage or email them to yourself so you can access them after the storm.
• Secure Your Property: Install storm shutters, bring in outdoor furniture, trim dangerous tree branches, and take reasonable steps to minimize potential damage.
• Keep Receipts for Storm Preparations: Save receipts for plywood, shutters, sandbags, and other materials you purchase to protect your property.

What Should I Do First if My Property Gets Damaged in a Hurricane?

What you do first after a hurricane definitely matters. Insurance companies look for reasons to avoid paying the full value of your claim – or to deny it altogether.

Here are some critical steps to take right after discovering hurricane damage to your property:

• Put Your Safety First: Don’t enter your property if it appears to be structurally unsafe or has downed power lines nearby.
• Document All Damage Immediately: Take photos and video of your property, taking great care to thoroughly document damaged areas. Do this before you move or repair anything.
• Prevent Further Damage: After taking videos and photos for evidence, be sure to cover broken windows and tarp your roof if it is damaged. The key rule here is to take reasonable steps to stop additional destruction from rain or weather exposure.
• Save Receipts for Emergency Repairs: Keep all receipts for tarps, plywood, temporary repairs, and materials used to protect your property.
• Contact Your Insurance Company: Report your claim as soon as possible, but do not sign anything or give any recorded statements. You are well within your rights to seek legal advice first.
• Keep Damaged Items: While you may want to get on with rebuilding, it is important that you don’t throw away damaged property until your claim settles. Insurers may want to inspect the damage.
• Make a Detailed List of Damages: Write down everything damaged or destroyed, including structural damage and personal belongings.
• Get Multiple Repair Estimates: Obtain written estimates from licensed contractors to document what it will cost to repair the damage.

How Long Do I Have to File a Hurricane Damage Claim in Florida?

In Florida, you must report hurricane damage to your insurance company as soon as reasonably possible after the storm. Your insurance company may require their own deadline. Be sure to review your insurance policy for the specific deadlines that apply to your policy.

Regardless how long your insurance company gives you, we recommend calling right away. Waiting too long can weaken your claim as evidence disappears and insurers question whether the hurricane actually caused the damage. Some policies require you to file a lawsuit within a specific timeframe if your insurer denies your claim or offers an inadequate settlement.

What Types of Hurricane Damage Are Covered by Homeowners Insurance in Florida?

Florida homeowners insurance policies typically cover wind damage caused by hurricanes, but it is important to remember that coverage can vary depending on your specific policy. It’s a good idea to review your policy at least once per year—including the fine print— in case your needs change. Another key reason for being familiar with your policy is that you’ll have a better idea when your insurer may be wrongfully denying or undervaluing your claim.

Today, most standard policies in Florida cover structural damage and personal property losses caused by hurricane-force winds. Flood damage usually requires purchasing separate coverage.

Hurricane damage that is typically covered by Florida homeowners insurance include:

• Roof Damage: Missing shingles, torn roof membranes, damaged flashing, and structural roof damage caused by high winds.
• Window and Door Damage: Broken windows, shattered glass, damaged door frames, and destroyed entry points from wind and flying debris.
• Structural Damage: Damage to walls, ceilings, floors, and the home’s frame caused by hurricane-force winds.
• Water Damage from Wind-Driven Rain: Water that enters your home through wind-damaged openings like broken windows, torn roofs, or damaged walls.
• Fence and Screen Enclosure Damage: Destroyed or damaged fences, pool cages, and screened patios caused by high winds.
• Exterior Damage: Damaged siding, gutters, soffits, fascia, and other exterior components torn away or destroyed by wind.
• Damaged Personal Property: Furniture, electronics, clothing, and belongings destroyed by covered wind damage or wind-driven rain.
• Additional Living Expenses: Temporary housing costs if your home becomes uninhabitable due to covered hurricane damage.

What Compensation Can I Recover for Hurricane Damage in Florida?

Your homeowners insurance policy should cover the full cost of repairing or replacing your hurricane-damaged property. Florida law requires insurers to honor their policy obligations and pay for covered losses. The amount you can recover depends on your specific policy coverage, deductibles, and the extent of damage to your property.

Types of compensation you can recover for hurricane damage:

• Structural Repairs: The cost to repair or rebuild damaged roofs, walls, ceilings, floors, and the home’s framework.
• Exterior Repairs: Replacement or repair of siding, gutters, windows, doors, fences, and other exterior components.
• Interior Repairs: Repairs to damaged drywall, flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, and other interior elements.
• Personal Property Replacement: The value of furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing, and belongings destroyed by covered damage.
• Emergency Repair Costs: Reimbursement for temporary repairs like tarps, boarding, and measures taken to prevent further damage.
• Additional Living Expenses: Costs for temporary housing, meals, and other expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable during repairs.
• Debris Removal: The cost to remove fallen trees, destroyed structures, and storm debris from your property.
• Code Upgrade Costs: Additional expenses required to bring repairs up to current building codes if your policy includes this coverage.

What If My Insurance Company Offers Me a Quick Payout for My Hurricane Claim?

Be extremely cautious if your insurance company tries to offer you a fast settlement right after a hurricane. It may be tempting, but it is crucial to know that quick payouts are almost always far below what your claim is actually worth. Insurers know homeowners feel desperate to start repairs and may accept an offer before they know the full extent of the damage. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you cannot go back and demand more money even if you discover additional damage later.

At The Bald Injury Lawyers, we can review your offer and tell you whether your insurer is trying to shortchange you. Your best bet is to get independent repair estimates from licensed contractors for comparison and call us before you accept an offer or sign anything.

Why Do Insurance Companies Deny Some Hurricane Claims?

Insurance companies take a “business-first” approach to protect their profits, not your home. Even when you faithfully pay your premiums for years, insurers may still try to minimize what they pay on hurricane claims when disaster strikes. Understanding the common tactics insurers use helps you recognize when you are being treated unfairly and need legal representation to fight back.

Common reasons insurance companies deny hurricane claims:

• Claiming Pre-Existing Damage: Insurers blame old wear and tear or previous damage instead of acknowledging the hurricane caused the destruction.
• Attributing Damage to Flood Instead of Wind: Most standard policies cover wind damage but not flooding. Your insurers may try to classify wind-driven rain damage as flood damage to avoid paying.
• Alleging Lack of Maintenance: Insurance companies may claim you failed to properly maintain your property, which is why those photos you took before the storm really matter. When the insurance company tries to argue that the damage was your fault, you can show visible proof of what you did to protect your property.
• Disputing the Extent of Damage: Adjusters minimize the severity of damage or claim repairs cost far less than they actually do.
• Citing Policy Exclusions: Insurers point to fine print exclusions or limitations in your policy to deny coverage for legitimate hurricane damage.
• Claiming You Missed Deadlines: Insurance companies deny claims by alleging you failed to report damage quickly enough or missed filing deadlines.
• Undervaluing Your Property: Adjusters assess your home or belongings at far below their actual replacement value to reduce payouts.
• Requiring Excessive Documentation: Insurers demand unreasonable amounts of proof, then deny claims when you cannot provide every document they request.

Common Questions People Ask About Hurricane Claims in Florida

Florida homeowners facing hurricane damage often have similar concerns about insurance coverage and the claims process. Here are straightforward answers to questions we hear most often.