If a hurricane causes damage to your Dania Beach home or property, you expect your insurance company to cover your losses under the terms of your insurance policy. Sometimes, the insurance company may put its bottom line ahead of doing what is right.
You paid for insurance coverage, and your insurance company is legally obligated to meet the terms of that coverage. If they wrongfully deny your claim or try to undervalue your damages, our team can help.
A hurricane property claim lawyer in Dania Beach can review your coverage and help you pursue the compensation you deserve after a hurricane. Call to discuss your claim and get legal help.
What to Do If Your Property Was Damaged in a Hurricane
If your home gets damaged during a hurricane or storm, it’s important to know what to do. Here are some tips to keep in mind.
- Inventory your belongings: Make a list of everything inside your home before a disaster strikes. This includes appliances, furniture, clothing, electronics, and anything else that could be affected by water damage. You want to save everything you can, even if it seems like there isn’t much left to salvage.
- Take photographs of the inside and outside of your home: Take photos of the interior and exterior of your home and note where things were located before the storm. Also, take pictures of the damage, such as broken windows, doors off their hinges, and mold. These images will prove invaluable later on.
- You might want to purchase additional coverage: Depending on the extent of the damage, you might need to buy more insurance than you originally thought. For example, you might have to pay for new roofing materials if your roof is blown off. Or if your home suffered extensive flooding, you might need to replace all the flooring.
- Contact your insurance agent: After a hurricane, contact your insurance agent immediately. They should be able to tell you whether or not your claims are covered. If your claims aren’t covered, they can explain why.
- Contact an attorney: If your insurance company doesn’t provide adequate coverage, you might need to hire an attorney. A personal injury lawyer in Dania Beach can help you navigate this process.
- Ask about deductibles: These are amounts you must pay out of pocket before your insurer pays anything. The deductible varies depending on the type of insurance you have. Ask your insurance agent how much you need to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in.
- Get estimates from contractors: Contact local contractors who specialize in repairing homes damaged by hurricanes. Get estimates for repairs and ask them to include any costs associated with removing debris.
Damages You May Recover in Your Dania Beach Hurricane Damage Claim
The amount of hurricane damages you are eligible to recover may vary based on the type of coverage you have and whether you have additional coverage for damage such as flooding or items such as expensive art or high-value jewelry.
While your coverage may vary, many policies cover the following types of hurricane damage:
Structural Damage Repair
You may recover the cost to repair or rebuild your home and other damaged structures on your property in the hurricane. For example, your policy may cover a separate garage, barn, patio, or outdoor kitchen.
Personal Property Replacement
Many Dania Beach insurance providers will also cover the cost of replacing personal property lost due to hurricane damage. This coverage may pay to replace items such as your furniture, clothing, appliances, electronics, toys, and bedding.
Clean Up Costs
You may also recover the cost of cleaning up your property after a hurricane. Many insurance policies cover debris, tree removal, and other clean-up costs. If a tree from your neighbor’s property causes damage, we may be able to pursue their insurance company for clean-up costs as well.
Securing Your Property
After the hurricane passes, the damage may leave your home exposed to the elements. For example, broken windows or a missing roof may leave your home susceptible to additional damage from rain or pests.
Housing Costs
Depending on the details of your coverage, your insurance policy may cover the cost of a hotel stay, rent, and transportation costs if you are displaced from your home due to hurricane damage.
Keep in mind that your policy may cover more or less, depending on the details of your coverage. A hurricane property claim lawyer in Dania Beach can review your policy and help you understand the damages you are entitled to.
How Much Can I Recover in My Dania Beach Property Claim?
There is no way to make an accurate estimate of the amount you may recover without reviewing the specific details of your situation. To do this, our team will need to know the following information:
Your Home’s Value
The value of your home before the storm was one factor considered when determining how much you could recover. The higher the value of your home, the greater the potential recovery. However, even homes with low values can still receive significant amounts under certain circumstances.
Property Location
The location of your home may affect its value. For example, homes located near bodies of water may be worth more than those away from them.
Damage Details
The extent of the damage caused by the hurricane. We will need to know about any structural damage, including the number of rooms in your home, the condition of walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, and roofs, and the extent of any mold growth.
Coverage Details
We need to know about your homeowners’ insurance, flood, and contents insurance policy. These details include the type of coverage, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and whether there are any limitations on the types of losses covered.
Other Insurance Coverage
We may also need to know about any other insurance coverage available to you, including liability insurance, auto insurance, renters insurance, business interruption insurance, and property insurance coverage.
How a Property Damage Lawyer Can Help You
Working with a knowledgeable and experienced property damage and insurance claims attorney can make the difference between paying large out-of-pocket expenses or receiving fair compensation for your losses.
A skilled legal professional knows what steps to take to pursue your claim and can evaluate whether hiring a contractor or pursuing repairs makes sense. They know how to maximize your chances of recovering money for your losses.
A knowledgeable and experienced Florida property damages law firm can help you:
- Analyze your circumstances: Our lawyers have experience handling property damage cases, so they can determine which approach works best for you.
- Negotiate with insurers: If your insurer refuses to compensate you fully, we can negotiate with them on your behalf.
- Explain your rights and best options for recovery: Your property damage lawyer can explain your rights and options to you and help you decide if you should file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
- Evaluate your repair costs and replaceable value: A property damage lawyer can help you understand your options for repairing your damaged property and calculating the replacement cost.
- File a claim with your insurance company: If you choose to file a claim with your insurance provider, we can assist you through the process.
- Pursue financial compensation for your loss: If you do not get adequate compensation from your insurance carrier, our attorneys can help you pursue additional compensation from the responsible party.
- Recover the full value of your home after the storm: If you cannot recover the full value of your house, our lawyers can help you find ways to obtain fair market value for your home.
- Avoid paying unnecessary charges: When dealing with an insurance company, you are often charged for things that are not necessary. Our lawyers can help you avoid these unnecessary fees.
- Protect your rights and interests throughout the process: Our lawyers work hard to protect your rights and interests during this difficult time.
What You Need to Know Before You File a Dania Beach Hurricane Damage Claim
The claims process may seem overwhelming.
Your policy may be filled with legal jargon that is difficult to understand. Before filing a claim on your own, there are several things you need to know about the process.
The Insurance Company Is Not on Your Side
The insurance company is a business that may take steps to decrease its financial obligation to you to protect its profits.
For example, they may outright deny your claim or say you have to pay an additional deductible not listed in your policy. You may want a legal advocate who is on your side to help protect your legal rights.
You Might Have an Additional Deductible
You may have to pay an additional hurricane damage deductible in some situations. This requirement must be clearly stated in your policy paperwork and meet specific requirements outlined in Florida Statute section §627.701.
Your Homeowner’s Insurance May Not Cover Flood Damage
Most traditional homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flood waters. Often, they do cover damage caused by wind-driven rain. However, flooding is a common concern after a hurricane. You may have an additional policy that does cover flood damage.
To better understand the damages your insurance policy may cover, speak with Dania Beach’s personal injury lawyers handling hurricane property claims. We can review your claim and recommend your next step.
Dania Beach Homeowners Insurance Claim Process
Homeowners insurance policies vary widely across the country. Some cover wind damage only, some cover flood damage and others cover both. If your homeowners insurance covers flooding, you’ll likely receive reimbursement for any covered losses. But if your policy doesn’t cover flooding, you must file a separate claim with your homeowner’s insurance company.
If you live in a hurricane zone, checking your policy carefully before deciding whether to file a claim is important. Many policies don’t cover the flooding caused by hurricanes. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), however, does offer coverage for certain types of flood damage.
Types of Insurance Claims Cases and Hurricane Damage Our Firm Represents
Our damage claim attorneys represent clients in cases involving the following types of insurance claims:
- Hurricane damage: The most common insurance claim we handle involves hurricane damage. After a major hurricane strikes, many homeowners will experience water damage to their homes.
- Windstorm damage: Windstorms cause significant damage to homes and businesses. Many people don’t realize that their homeowner’s insurance covers wind damage until it is too late.
- Coverage dispute: Sometimes, homeowners believe their insurance companies did not properly compensate them for losses caused by hurricanes. They may file a coverage dispute against their insurance provider.
- Fire damage: Fire damage is another common problem homeowners face after a hurricane. In addition to water damage, fire can destroy important documents and other items inside your home.
- Water damage: Water or flood damage is one of the most common problems homeowners face after a storm. It can occur from heavy rains, high winds, or even broken pipes.
- Storm damage: Storm damage occurs when severe weather causes damage to your roof, windows, doors, siding, and more.
- Property damage: When storms damage your property, you may be able to recover money through your homeowner’s policy.
- Business interruption: Businesses often face extensive damage after a storm hits. If you operate a business, you may be entitled to receive compensation for lost revenue due to damage to your building.
- Wrongful death: A wrongful death lawsuit allows family members of someone killed due to negligence during a hurricane to seek financial compensation for the loss of life.
- Roof damage: Roof damage is very common after a hurricane. Your roof might need repair if it is damaged by strong winds or heavy rainfall.
- Structural damage: Structural damage refers to damage to your house’s foundation. This includes cracks, holes, and other structural issues.
- Contents damage: Contents damage refers to damage done by water, mold, or smoke to your belongings.
- Personal Injury: Personal injuries are also common after a hurricane. These include injuries suffered while walking on dangerous streets, driving in unsafe conditions, and being trapped in your home without access to food or medicine.
- Medical bills: You may have medical expenses related to your hurricane-related injuries. Speak with our firm about how we can help you get paid for these costs.
- Tile damage: Tile damage is common after a hurricane. Broken tiles can leak water into your home, causing serious damage.
- Sewage backup: Sewage backups happen when sewage backs up into your home. This can lead to health hazards like bacteria and viruses.
- Mold growth: Mold grows quickly after a hurricane. It can grow in your attic, basement, crawlspace, or wherever moisture collects.
- Tornado damage: Tornadoes are extremely powerful storms that can cause significant damage to homes and businesses. Our firm has experience handling tornado claims.
Our damage claim attorneys can help you understand what type of damages occurred and whether you qualify for other damage claims.
Understanding Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Hurricane Damage Claims
According to Florida’s Statute of Limitations, you must file a claim three years from when the storm caused damage or made landfall. The statute began running when the damage was first discovered.
If you discover damage within the three-year period but do not file a claim until later, you will still be able to file a claim. However, if you wait too long, you could lose your right to make a claim.
Contact a Hurricane Property Claim Lawyer in Dania Beach Today
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, our team understands how devastating hurricane damage can be. You and your family do not have to face the claims process alone.
Our team is here to offer compassionate legal guidance and protect your right to compensation under your insurance policy. Let us take over the claims process and fight the insurance company on your behalf. We understand how insurance companies work and are not afraid to face off in a courtroom, should it be necessary.
If your Dania Beach home sustained hurricane damage, we could help.Contact us for a free review of your hurricane damage case.
We Can Help.
