When a hurricane strikes U.S. soil, the devastation and loss of life can be enormous. Unfortunately, as if suffering through a hurricane and property loss is not enough, another storm is brewing in the atmosphere, only this time it is manmade: the delay, underpayment, or denial of your valid hurricane or windstorm insurance claim by your insurance company.
Please visit our Library and Resources page to obtain important information related to hurricane preparation for before, during, and after the storm.
Some of the issues that can come up during a Hurricane insurance claim are:
- Denied Claims
- Lowballed Claims
- Claims Delays
- Insurance Coverage Disputes
- Requests for Examinations Under Oath
- Requests for Sworn Statements
- Requests for Recorded Statements
- Issues Related to Actual Cash Value
- Issues Related to Replacement Cost Value
- Florida's Valued Policy Law
- Recovery of Additional Living Expenses
- Costs of Debris Removal Issues
- Contents or Personal Property Claims Issues
- Law and Ordinance Issues
- Fraud Accusations
- Total Loss or Constructive Total Loss Issues
- Appraisal or Appraiser Issues
- Umpire Issues
- Supplemental Claims
- Insurere Bad Faith
The moment that you notice wind and water damage to your home as a result of a hurricane, do as follows:
Use your best efforts to make temporary repairs so that the condition doesn't get worse. This will prevent the insurance company from later claiming that your hurricane damages are the result of your failure to mitigate your damages. For example, if you have a roof leak, hire a roofer to put a tarp over the leak area.
Take pictures of all affected areas. Take video, if you can, of all affected areas. Hold on to any receipts and estimates for repairs. Get the contact information for any contractors that come to your property to give you estimates. Do not throw out any correspondence or documents that are sent to you by your insurance company. If you are mailing anything to your insurance company do it by certified mail, return receipt requested, and make copies of whatever you are sending for your records. Keep a journal of all your communications with your insurance company. If you become aware of any witnesses that have knowledge of any aspect of your claim, record their name and contact information. Don't throw out any of the hurricane damaged items in your house.
Put your insurance company on notice of the hurricane insurance claim. Call your insurance company and let them know what happened. Get the name of the insurance company adjuster assigned to your claim, his or her contact information, and the claim number.
You can reach Miami Insurance Claims Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at[email protected].
