If you're dealing with the aftermath of a Florida hurricane, insurance money can help you repair or replace things you've lost. But what should you do when the insurance company won't pay up? You can always bring in a Boca Raton hurricane damage lawyer to fight for your compensation.
With a free consultation and a payment plan that you can afford, we're prepared to help hurricane victims get back on their feet.
We Won't Let the Insurance Company Push You Around
As Floridians, no matter how much we expect the weather, the damage is never easy to bear. That's why we have hurricane insurance to help us cover the costs of getting our lives back on track after suffering property damage or injury.
Unfortunately, insurance companies will occasionally deny our hurricane damage claims or act in bad faith, regardless of the emotional, physical, and financial toll the storm leaves us with.
That's where Dolman Law Group comes in. We aren't afraid to stand toe-to-toe with insurance companies, negotiating a settlement for your family.
Hurricane Damages Your Boca Raton Family Could Claim
Perhaps you think you didn't claim the "right" things, and that's why your insurance company denied your claim. Though this may be the case, never assume that you're wrong. A hurricane leaves an unmistakable path of destruction in its wake. In other words, you know what you've lost.
Your homeowner's insurance will most likely cover both dwelling (the physical house) and contents (your possessions inside the house) coverage for damage done to your property. This will usually cover any damage created by high winds and falling objects. If you've lost or experienced damage to personal property due to wind or falling objects from a hurricane, you should include this in your claim.
What You Should Know About Claiming Damages Related to Flooding
Hurricane coverage does not guarantee that your property is covered for flooding damages, even if the hurricane causes the flooding. Flood insurance is a separate policy altogether.
If You Suffered Physical Injury During a Hurricane
We all know that hurricanes cause more than damage to the house. In some cases, it can cause physical injury and death. Your hurricane insurance won't cover any trips to the hospital; that's what our medical insurance is for. But depending on the case, you could file a personal injury claim.
For example, in 2017, after Hurricane Irma hit the coast, one nursing home lost power and failed to evacuate its residents. Without air conditioning, temperatures rose to over 100 degrees. Unfortunately, eight residents died as a result of the heat.
Though this isn't a typical situation, it's possible. If you suspect that you suffered an injury or experienced the untimely death of a loved one due to neglect during a hurricane, Dolman Law Group can help.
If You Rent a Home or Apartment and You Are Hit By a Hurricane
We recommend that if you rent, you take out renters insurance. In fact, most property owners will require you to take out a renters insurance policy to live there. Renters can take out similar policies to protect their possessions, namely contents insurance, flood insurance, and loss of use insurance.
What You Should Do After the Hurricane Passes
After the hurricane passes, you should do the following:
- Check in with friends and family and make sure you are no longer in danger of the storm.
- Return to your home if you evacuated, and assess the damage. Chances are, no matter what types of precautions you've made, there will be some damage to the structure of the house, whether it's shingles or a broken window.
- Cover any open areas of the roof or home with a tarp to prevent further damage. This will show the insurance company that you are taking steps to protect what remains of the structure and your possessions.
- Take pictures of the roof, structural damage, and any damage done to your possessions. These photos will be incredibly important to your claim.
- If possible, take a video of you walking through your home to better capture the damage done.
- Finally, file your home or renters insurance claim. If you haven't done so, do it as soon as possible. You can call your company to start the process and submit the correct paperwork.
How to Prepare for a Hurricane
Insurance companies are great at poking holes in a claim; that's why you want to make sure you have taken the necessary steps to protect your home against a hurricane. Especially in Florida, you should have an emergency kit in the event of a last-minute hurricane warning.
- Make an emergency readiness kit, including batteries, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and non-perishable items.
- Fill your car's gas tank well before the hurricane is supposed to hit.
- Bring potential projectiles inside. These would include grills, patio furniture, bird feeders, etc.
- Board up windows.
- If you're in an area that's prone to flooding, like Boca Raton, make sure you have the necessary sandbags set up in front of your door.
- Take pictures of what you've done to prevent damage to your home. You can include these in your initial claim or refer back to them should you need to get us involved.
Retaining a Boca Raton Hurricane Damage Lawyer Can Benefit Your Case
Contact a Boca raton personal injury law firm as soon as you find out that your home insurance claim has been denied. You may also speak with an insurance claims lawyer if you are unsure about the claim you are submitting. Our lawyers can help translate the jargon and go down the checklist of things your insurance company may require.
Don't Weather the Storm Alone—Call Now
Suffering property loss or an injury due to a hurricane and subsequent flooding is something we wish we never had to deal with–and yet it comes with the territory. You don't have to face home insurance companies alone, though. If you've been denied your hurricane damage claim, we are ready to provide you with your free case evaluation. Contact Dolman Law Group.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
301 Yamato Road, Suite 1240
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
561-220-4963