Hurricanes annually cause considerable property damage to Collier County homes and businesses. Unfortunately, what makes matters worse is that insurance companies may try to undervalue or deny a claim for various reasons.
If you are about to make a claim, our Naples hurricane property damage lawyers could help. GED Lawyers represents homeowners and business owners across the state, and our Naples personal injury lawyers can fight for fair compensation.
Making a Hurricane Property Damage Claim in Florida
You should know a few things about hurricane claims in Florida. First and foremost, your insurance policy is critical. This policy will spell out what types of damage it covers and to what extent. In addition, you will have a defined policy coverage limit.
Our Naples hurricane property damage attorneys can review your policy to see what it covers and how much you can pursue. They know how to interpret the clauses and legal jargon, so they can answer your questions and ensure you fight for what you deserve.
For example, some homeowners’ hurricane insurance policies do not cover specific damages you might assume it covers. Our legal team can get to the bottom of your policy and ensure you understand your agreement.
What Homeowners’ Insurance Covers in Florida
In general, homeowners’ insurance in Florida does not cover property damage resulting from storm surges or floods, even if these occurred during a hurricane. Therefore, in that situation, you must have purchased separate flood insurance to make a claim.
Hurricane property damage claims can become complicated. Insurers may go back and forth during settlement negotiations, arguing about what caused the damage so they can undervalue or deny a claim.
You don’t have to deal with this process alone. Instead, a Naples hurricane property damage lawyer can communicate with insurers on your behalf. That way, you can pick up the pieces and tend to your family after a hurricane. Meanwhile, our legal team can take care of your claim or lawsuit.
What Car Insurance Covers in Florida
Another piece of property aside from your house that may have suffered damage in a hurricane is your vehicle. In this case, you may wonder how to recover compensation to repair or replace it. In Florida, a standard personal injury protection (PIP) policy will not cover hurricane property damage. Usually, you must have purchased collision or comprehensive coverage.
Even if you added either to your policy, it’s also not uncommon for auto insurance companies to undervalue or deny claims. So, if you are curious about your coverage and how it applies to your policy, a hurricane property damage lawyer can explain your options.
Potentially Recoverable Losses a Naples Hurricane Property Damage Attorney Can Seek
Whether you file a claim with your homeowners’, car, flood, or commercial property insurance, we can help. Our team will review your policy to see which types of damages you can claim.
Structural Damage
Structural damage could include various issues caused by a hurricane. For example, you could claim the following damages to your home or business:
- Cracked windows and ceilings
- Damaged wood structures
- Damaged gutters and drainpipes
- Cracked foundations
- Wet insulation and electrical wiring
- Damaged doorframes or walls
- Exterior wall damage
- Damage caused by uprooted or fallen trees
- Mold or mildew
Your insurance policy may even cover freestanding structures like garages and sheds. So, we can make sure you understand every structure covered by your policy and help by inspecting the property for damage.
In addition, we might consult experts, such as inspectors and public adjusters. Their testimonies can help your compensation case.
Personal Property
If you have coverage for personal property, you could claim damage to it through your homeowners’ insurance policy. We can read through the agreement to see which items it covers and how much you can receive for them.
For example, some policies cover the item’s replacement cost versus the actual cash value, which can make quite a difference.
Cleanup Costs
You may also have expenses from cleaning the debris left in a hurricane’s wake. For example, you may have to call a specialist to safely remove any mold or other environmental hazards. Your policy may cover such expenses.
Business Interruption Costs
If you own a commercial business that sustained damage in a hurricane, your policy might cover business interruption expenses. Again, we’ll review your policy to see whether it covers these losses.
How Our Naples Hurricane Property Damage Lawyers Can Help
When you work with our hurricane property damage lawyers, you can return to attending to your family or business while we tackle the legal legwork.
However, you will never just be another case file on our desk. Instead, we tailor our legal strategy to suit each client’s circumstances. We also work to make ourselves available to answer any questions you may have. Our legal team can:
- Investigate the cause of your property damage
- Determine which insurance policy applies to your situation
- Document your losses
- Consult experts who can support your claim or lawsuit
- File your claim or lawsuit
- Handle all the necessary paperwork
- Meet important legal deadlines
Insurance companies often have a team of experts and defense attorneys on their side. However, you don’t have to deal with them alone. Our Naples hurricane property damage team can get to work immediately on your case and act as your advocate.
Work With Our Naples Hurricane Property Damage Lawyers
Surviving a hurricane is one thing; picking up the pieces afterward brings an entirely new challenge. For example, your family or business might face tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. Moreover, it can feel like you have nowhere to turn to for help.
However, you don’t have to go up against an insurance company alone. Call GED Lawyers to work with one of our Naples hurricane property damage attorneys. We can discuss your case during a free consultation and review your legal options. So, contact us as soon as possible.
