Hollywood Hurricane Damage Attorney for Property Damage Claims After a Storm

Even for seasoned Florida residents, hurricanes and the accompanying wind and rain can cause substantial property loss and personal injuries. A Hollywood Hurricane Damage Lawyer at Klotzman Property Damage Law can help if you’ve been through a hurricane and sustained damage to your home or business as a result of the storm. We live here too, and we understand the critical nature of recovering favorable financial compensation in a timely manner.

About Florida Hurricane & Wind Damage Insurance Claims

In Florida, weather-related property damage is inevitable. Floridians have learned to expect damage from hurricanes, including rain, wind, flooding, and lightning, and even non-hurricane damage from tornadoes and hail. In Florida, insurance claims from weather-related property damage are among the most frequent types of claims.

Floridians have to count on their insurance company for financial compensation when they have weather-related damages. This should be a simple process: you timely pay your insurance premiums and in return, the insurance company pays for your damages when you file your claim. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always go this way. That’s where a Hollywood Hurricane Damage Lawyer can step in to help. 

Insurance companies are like any other business; they’re in business to make money. To turn a profit, the insurance companies have to take in more than they pay out. Consequently, they will often use any number of tactics to try to delay, deny, or undervalue your legitimate damages claim. Therefore, it’s important for you to understand exactly what is covered by your insurance policy and the amounts they are obligated to pay. Once you understand this, you can adjust your coverage accordingly.

Property and Hurricane Insurance Deductibles 

A “deductible” is the amount of money a property owner must pay before the insurance company will pay for anything. Hurricane insurance deductibles are separate and different from property owner’s insurance deductibles. The amount of the hurricane insurance deductible is calculated as a percentage of a home’s insured value, not as a dollar amount. 

So, a standard homeowner’s policy with a $500 deductible means the homeowner has to pay the first $500 of an insurance damages claim, regardless of the home’s insured value. On the other hand, a hurricane insurance deductible of 5% of a home’s worth at a value of $300,000 requires the homeowner to pay the first $15,000 of insured damages.

Important Details About Your Insurance Coverage Explained by a Hollywood Hurricane Damage Lawyer

There are several things you need to be aware of when it comes to hurricane and wind damage.

Appropriate Coverage

Be sure you are covered for weather-related damage. Technically, there is no “hurricane” insurance. Rather, you’ll need to be sure your property has adequate protection against the two main sources of hurricane damage: water and wind. You may need to purchase separate policies for:

• Flood Insurance. Typical property owner’s insurance will not cover flood damage. You’ll need a separate policy for flood damage coverage.
• Windstorm and/or Storm Surge Insurance. Typical property owner’s insurance policies will not cover windstorm or storm surge damage, particularly in hurricane-prone states. Florida residents will need to buy a separate windstorm insurance policy. Storm surge coverage may be included in your flood insurance policy.

Right to Repair

Be sure to check your policy for a “Right to Repair” clause, which may allow your insurance company to repair the damaged property using its own contractors rather than compensating you to pay a contractor you know you can trust. The insurance company may even offer a negligible discount or, more alarming, attempt to force you to accept a Right to Repair clause.

Be aware that not all contractors do their business in the same way. If your insurance company can select the contractors, they’re likely going to choose the cheapest contractors available, even if their work is subpar. This is an issue that should be part of your insurance company shopping process; if the insurance company you’re considering requires a Right to Repair clause, you can always buy your insurance elsewhere. 

Building Codes 

You can’t assume your repairs will satisfy building codes. Repairing damaged property may require costly upgrades to comply with current building codes. Therefore, be sure your policy includes “law and ordinance coverage.” This will provide coverage for any additional expenses that are needed to comply with building codes.

Weather Damage Insurance is Complicated and Important

Adequate hurricane and wind damage coverage is complicated, and the insurance policies are often filled with complex language that is crafted to reduce or deny your recovery. In Florida, adequate coverage is also very important, because hurricanes are so prevalent and the damage they cause can be catastrophic. 

Consequently, having adequate coverage could be the difference between a financial annoyance and bankruptcy. The experienced Hollywood Hurricane Damage Lawyers at Klotzman Property Damage Law can help you be sure you’re safe.

Contact a Hollywood Hurricane Damage Lawyer to Handle Your Storm-Related Damage Claim

Hurricane and wind damage, along with other weather related damage, is typically covered through various separate policies that are filled with complex language and exceptions designed to allow them to pay as little of your financial compensation as is possible. A Hollywood Hurricane Damage Attorney at Klotzman Property Damage Law can help you be sure you receive all of the financial compensation you’re entitled to. Contact us online to schedule your free consultation.