Many insurance companies attempt to deny fallen tree damage claims to save money
The winds that hurricanes bring may easily exceed 100 miles an hour, even after making landfall. Such strong winds are heavily destructive and easily uproot trees and damage buildings. Many hurricane damage policies provide coverage for fallen tree damage, but insurance companies may try to deny your claim. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, our Florida hurricane damage attorneys do not let the insurance companies jerk you around’ we fight until you have been fairly compensated. We have recovered tens of millions of dollars for hurricane victims that insurance companies refused to pay.
How do insurance companies deny claims for tree damage?
Insurance companies are notorious for denying or delaying claims to try to save money. With fallen tree claims, for example, the insurance company may argue that the tree should not have been left standing on your property before the storm. The insurance company may argue that you knew the tree was weakened or diseased well before the storm, but since you did not take any steps to remove it, the tree fell on your house. Therefore, the insurance company argues that it should not be liable because you neglected the tree.
Similarly, if a tree from your neighbor’s property fell onto your home, and the neighbor had neglected the tree, your insurance company may argue that the neighbor’s insurance company should cover the damage. Of course, the neighbor’s insurance policy would argue that since the neighbor neglected the tree, it is not liable’ leaving you in a stressful predicament. A skilled Boca Raton property damage lawyer at GED Lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.
The insurance company may also try to argue that some of the damage was due to a preexisting condition. For example, say a tree falls and damages part of your roof. Your roof is older, but it has not had any major issues. Still, the insurance company may try to argue that you should have better maintained your roof to mitigate the damage from a fallen tree.
The most dangerous types of trees to have on your property
There are certain types of trees that are more likely to splinter and break as compared to others. These include:
- Australian pines, which are common throughout Florida
- Box elders
- Bradford pears
- Elms
- Hackberry trees
- Hickories
- Laurel oaks
- Pecan trees
- Poplars
- Red cedar trees
- Red maples
- Water oaks
- Weeping figs
- Willow trees
If you have one of these trees in your yard, it may be a good idea to have it checked out.
What do I do if a tree falls on my house during a hurricane?
If a tree falls on your house during a storm, of course, you should first make sure that it is safe to remain in the home. If not, you should try to seek shelter elsewhere.
Try to mitigate damage from the fallen tree as much as you can. For example, if rain is coming in through a hole in the roof, put a tarp up if you can do so safely.
Notify your insurance carrier as soon as possible about the damage. Take photos and write down your experience of what happened, if you were home when the tree fell.
If you need help with a fallen tree or other hurricane or storm damage claim, contact our experienced Florida hurricane lawyers today for a free case review
At Ged Lawyers, our Florida insurance claim attorneys are leaders in the field. We understand how devastating hurricanes can be and how even more devastating a denied hurricane claim is. We have several offices to serve our clients throughout the state of Florida, including Panama City, and we would be honored to serve you and your family. Our disaster relief attorneys have been recognized throughout Florida and nationally for the superior legal services we provide. To schedule your free case review with our firm, call 844-443-3529 or visit us online. If you can’t come to our office, we will come to you.
