Hurricanes have a significant effect on Florida almost every year. There is often widespread flooding, winds, and destruction. The economic impact on your life and property can be substantial in a hurricane. You should reach out to a hurricane damage attorney to help you handle the insurance process and rebuild.
Many insurance companies look for any opportunity to reduce what they pay or deny claims. You may think you have homeowner’s insurance, so the insurance company will pay for hurricane damage. But it isn’t always that simple. The insurance company can try many tactics to deny the claim. It may claim, for example, that your damage is related to a flood, which your policy doesn’t cover.
Our Florida hurricane damage lawyer at Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm can assist. Speak to a Florida hurricane damage attorney by calling (727) 849-5353.
Florida Hurricane Damage Guide
- Compensation In A Florida Hurricane Damage Claim
- Where Do Hurricane Damages Happen In The Tampa Area?
- Do Florida Insurance Companies Cover Hurricane Damage?
- How To Fight The Insurance Company
- What To Do After A Florida Hurricane
- What To Do If A Florida Hurricane Damage Claim Is Denied?
- Speak To Our Florida Hurricane Damage Lawyers Today
Why Choose Us?
Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm opened its doors to personal injury clients more than 20 years ago. Our personal injury and insurance claim clients always come first. Every member of our legal team takes our mission to our clients seriously.
We aim to level the playing field between the homeowner, the injury victim, and the insurance company. We want to ensure you receive fair compensation and resolution in your case. Attorney Christopher Dyer was ranked by Super Lawyers in 2024. Our attorneys routinely obtain six and seven-figure insurance claims and personal injury settlements for our clients.
We conveniently have offices in Florida in Spring Hill, New Port Richey, Wesley Chapel, Inverness, and Tarpon Springs.
Reach an experienced Florida hurricane damage attorney now at (727) 849-5353.
Compensation In A Florida Hurricane Damage Claim
Hurricanes bring damaging wind and rain and may cause extensive water and structural damage to your home. Many hurricane insurance companies may question a legitimate claim and refuse to cover your damages. However, our experienced Florida hurricane damage attorney can obtain compensation in the following areas:
- Roof damage
- Wall and ceiling damage
- Water and mold damage
- Damage to your personal items, such as electronics, furniture, clothes, guns, cars, and jewelry
- Costs of alternative living expenses
- Damage from explosions and fires
- Damage to boats
- Removal of debris
The most common damage to homes in hurricanes is roof and water damage. The roof can be partially damaged or entirely destroyed. It’s important to do all you can to protect the home from further water and wind damage. Have a friend or family member help you cover the damaged or destroyed roof with tarps. This will reduce further damage and increase the chances that the insurance company will accept your claim.
Our Florida hurricane damage attorneys have significant experience handling any type of insurance claim or dispute, including homeowners’ insurance, commercial property insurance, renter’s insurance, auto insurance, and business interruption claims. They can help you with almost any insurance dispute or denial.
Working with Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer can ultimately mean the difference between having your claim denied or underpaid and recovering all your losses. Getting maximum compensation for your hurricane damages will ensure you can move on with your life and rebuild as you like.
Where Do Hurricane Damages Happen In The Tampa Area?
The Tampa and Tarpon Springs areas see plenty of damage during and after hurricanes. You may own a commercial property or private home damaged in a storm. Talk to a hurricane claim attorney in Florida if you think you are not being compensated fairly for your losses.
For example, Hurricane Helene was a recent storm that damaged many businesses in Florida, including these in Tarpon Springs:
- Serafine de Cuba Cigars
- Hella’s Restaurant
- Tarpon Springs Seafood Festival
- Sponge Docks
- Fred Howard Park
Just a few weeks later Hurricane Milton ravaged parts of Florida coming in at the second most intense hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico. These back to back storms caused widespread devastation. These, like all hurricanes, spawn tornadoes on their path. Many claims are still being processed for these natural disasters.
A hurricane damage attorney in Florida can help if you have a damaged home or business and are not getting just compensation from the insurance company. Insurance companies are often fussy after hurricanes and may look for any reason to deny your claim. Our legal team at Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer are accustomed to these tactics and will safeguard your rights.
Do Florida Insurance Companies Cover Hurricane Damage?
Whether the insurance company covers the hurricane damage depends on the type of insurance. Most homeowner’s policies will pay for damages from hurricane winds. But an attorney must review your insurance contract to understand what is covered. If you must evacuate, the policy doesn’t always cover the costs of alternative living situations.
Some Tarpon Springs homes may require additional flood insurance policies to pay for any flood damage. You also must consider paying the deductible for your damaged home before the policy covers anything. Also, the policy limits should be considered. If the home is severely damaged, the policy doesn’t always cover the full cost. Our Florida hurricane damage attorneys will fight for maximum compensation.
Typical Damage In Florida Hurricanes
Hurricanes cause many kinds of damage to homes and businesses. Insurance companies are supposed to be there when they need them, but they may deny claims for various reasons. Storm damages that our attorneys may help get covered include:
- Broken windows
- Destroyed doors and floors in homes
- Projectile damage
- Flood damage
- Personal item destruction, including furniture and appliances
- Fire damage from downed electrical wires
- Moisture damage
- Damage to pools and landscaping
- Structural damage
- Roof destruction and lifting
How To Fight The Insurance Company
You have insurance on your property to protect against damages. However, hurricane damage claims in Florida are often denied. It’s highly recommended to retain a hurricane damage attorney in Florida to oversee your claim. Many times the insurance company denies your claims when submitted by the homeowner.
Common tactics after a hurricane that the insurance company may use on you include:
- Property damage is excluded under your policy: Hurricane damage is usually due to heavy rains and high winds. Damage may occur from storm surges and flooding. People in high-risk areas along Florida coasts may require flood insurance, but your policy may not cover flood damage.
- Pre-existing home damage: The insurer may argue that your property was damaged before the storm, so they won’t cover the claim. For instance, they can claim that the roof or foundation had previous damages that should have been addressed.
- Denying payments for home repairs, the insurance company says are unnecessary.
- Forcing policyholders to provide extensive documentation and paperwork for coverage.
- Not securing the home: It’s common for insurance adjusters to concede there is damage but will blame you for not securing the home after the storm. For instance, the adjuster may say you didn’t cover the damaged roof with tarps, so the insurer won’t cover interior damage.
Was your claim denied? The insurer must inform you in writing why. Our experienced hurricane damage attorneys can appeal your case and explore legal options. We will attempt to negotiate a full settlement for your damages. Otherwise, we can file a lawsuit and take the case to a jury.
What To Do After A Florida Hurricane
There are several vital steps to take immediately after a hurricane damages your home:
- Ensure everyone is safe. Look for dangerous structural damage, downed power lines, and standing water. Don’t attempt to enter the property if it’s dangerous.
- Photograph and video all property damage, including the roof, foundation, walls, yard, interior, and personal items.
- Inventory all damaged property and list it in a document.
- Mitigate any further damage to the property. For example, put a tarp over a leaking roof or board up the windows if they are broken. You should keep the receipts for these steps because you should be reimbursed.
- File your insurance claim immediately. The longer you delay filing the claim, the greater the chance the insurance company will question it.
- The insurance adjuster will visit the property for an inspection. It’s vital to have your documentation of damages. You also may want an independent contractor estimate of the damages.
- Apply for government assistance, if available. Navigating the many assistance programs after a hurricane is daunting. You want to ensure your claim is filed properly. A hurricane damage attorney can help file your government assistance claim.
- Collect all storm-related evidence of losses and provide it to your Florida hurricane damage lawyer at Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm.
When Should You File A Hurricane Damage Claim?
The homeowner’s or commercial insurance policy should state the time limits for filing a claim when the property is destroyed or damaged. If you file under a homeowner’s policy in Florida, the insurance company must give you a claims bill of rights within two weeks after you report the claim. This document tells you the time limits the insurance company must follow for communicating, investigating, and processing.
Remember that insurance policies for storm damages are contracts. If the insurer unfairly denies or undervalues the claim, there may be a breach of contract claim. There is a five-year statute of limitations for a breach of contract case. Contact an insurance dispute attorney in Florida at Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm for assistance.
How Long Will A Hurricane Damage Settlement Take?
Insurance companies must follow Florida law to respond to your claim within two weeks. Also, insurance companies must pay, partially pay, or deny your claim within three months of submission. If the insurer does not comply, your rights have been violated, and you can sue the insurance company.
Overall, insurance companies aren’t in a rush to cover your damages. The company may delay the process as long as it can. They may also try to reduce their financial exposure and use various tactics to delay your claim. You can immediately skirt any devious tactics by retaining a hurricane damages attorney.
What To Do If A Florida Hurricane Damage Claim Is Denied?
First, don’t panic. Just because a claim was denied doesn’t mean there’s no hope. You should keep the denial letter and contact our hurricane damage attorneys at Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer for immediate assistance. We will review the case and identify any issue so you can obtain full compensation. The insurance company may be picky about the documents needed to pay your claim, so it can pay less than you deserve.
If the case is more complex, our attorneys will file a claim against the insurance company and attempt to negotiate a settlement. Or, if the settlement offer is too low, we will file a lawsuit and prepare your case for court.
However, most insurance dispute claims end with a settlement. Most insurance companies do not want to risk taking a case to a jury and having them award you more than a settlement. Our Florida hurricane damage attorneys will inform you if there is a fair settlement offer or if you should go to trial.
Taking a case to court will take longer than a settlement. Whether you should go to court depends on your risk tolerance and how much you need money today. If you lose the trial, you don’t get anything, so most homeowners take the best insurance settlement.
Speak To Our Florida Hurricane Damage Lawyers Today
Florida is no stranger to hurricanes, and their destructive power can leave homeowners and business owners grappling with property damage, loss of income, and emotional distress. A Florida hurricane hitting your home is potentially disastrous. The serious matter can worsen if the insurance company hassles you over your claim.
Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer offers comprehensive legal services and support to those affected by Florida hurricanes. Our hurricane damage lawyers will thoroughly review your insurance policy to ensure you receive fair payment for home damage, lost earnings, and related losses.
If you’ve experienced the devastation of a hurricane in Florida, you don’t have to face difficult insurance companies alone. Our attorneys are ready to fight for your rights and help you rebuild your property. Speak to a Florida hurricane damage attorney now by calling (727) 849-5353.
Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Law Firm, Accident Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
Address: 9020 Rancho Del Rio Dr # 101
New Port Richey, FL 34655
Phone: (727) 849-5353