Hurricane Ian Wind Damage Lawyer

Did your home or other property sustain wind damage due to Hurricane Ian? Hurricane Ian affected millions of property owners throughout Florida and other states along the Atlantic Coast, causing billions in damage. Most property owners have insurance coverage to pay for hurricane-related wind damage but ultimately struggle to secure the money they need for repairs because their insurance claims are undervalued or denied. The qualified Hurricane Ian Wind Damage Attorneys at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, provide dedicated, effective legal representation to property owners nationwide. If you’re dealing with unexpected wind damage expenses after Hurricane Ian, we can negotiate with the insurance companies and advocate for the benefits you deserve. To learn more about your legal options, please keep reading or contact us for a free initial case review. [lwptoc]

Why Choose Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA?

If your property sustained wind damage due to Hurricane Ian, you deserve help from a knowledgeable property damage lawyer as you work to restore and protect your investment. The trusted team at Dolman Law Group has the resources, knowledge, and skills to help you pursue fair compensation from a Hurricane Ian wind damage claim. Our dedicated property damage attorneys have more than 120 years of combined legal experience helping clients nationwide rebuild their lives after devastating injuries and property damage incidents. Over nearly two decades, we have secured millions of dollars in insurance settlements and trial verdicts for those we represent. We’re proud of our reputation as a firm that never settles for less than our clients deserve. When you come to us for help filing a hurricane wind damage claim, you can count on us to listen to your story, answer your questions, and get to know you. That way, we can customize our legal strategy with your unique goals in mind. You have enough to worry about while dealing with the aftermath of a disastrous hurricane, so let us navigate the legal system for you. If you have questions about your Hurricane Ian wind damage case, the dedicated legal team at Dolman Law Group can help. Our initial case reviews are always free and confidential. We are happy to meet with you at any of our nationwide office locations or discuss your case remotely by phone or video call.

Compensation for Hurricane Ian Wind Damage

If you have a homeowners, renters, or commercial insurance policy to protect your property in the event of wind damage, you could be eligible for compensation from a Hurricane Ian wind damage claim. Most property damage insurance policies cover wind damage, but wind is an “excluded peril” in some hurricane-prone areas, so check your policy’s declarations page to be sure. If wind damage is not an excluded peril per your insurance policy, or if you have a separate wind damage insurance policy, you could receive compensation for the following types of wind-related losses:

• Repair costs for damage to shingles, skylights, and solar arrays
• Repair costs for damage to siding, stucco, windows, shutters, and doors
• Repair or replacement costs for large structures, such as your roof
• The costs of repairing damaged landscaping or outdoor structures
• Moisture control expenses for wind-related water intrusion damage
• The costs of relocating to a hotel or other temporary accommodations, if the wind damage renders your property uninhabitable
• Certain business losses, if you lawfully conduct business out of your property
• The costs of repairing or replacing personal property, such as damaged furniture, if your policy includes personal property coverage

The value of your Hurricane Ian wind damage claim can vary considerably based on the market value of your property, the extent of the damage, and numerous other factors. The wind damage attorneys of Dolman Law Group can help you identify all potential sources of compensation for your property damage losses and pursue the maximum settlement possible.

Hurricane Ian Wind Damage Facts and Figures

Hurricane Ian made landfall on the southwestern coast of Florida as a severe Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds exceeding 150 miles per hour (mph). Hurricane Ian was the strongest hurricane to strike Florida since Hurricane Michael in 2018 and the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever strike the contiguous United States. Ian brought devastating winds, pouring rainfall, and unprecedented storm surge throughout Florida’s west coast. As the hurricane continued inland across the Florida peninsula, it weakened into Tropical Storm Ian before growing into a Category 1 hurricane over the open waters of the Atlantic and making landfall in South Carolina. Ian was the first hurricane to land in South Carolina in more than five years and thrashed the state’s coastline with high winds and torrential rain. Hurricane Ian weakened over the land and became a post-tropical cyclone within hours, eventually vanishing in southern Virginia, but not before leaving significant destruction in its wake. Reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicate that Hurricane Ian caused power outages for more than four million customers in Florida and more than one million customers in the Carolinas. Analytics company Risk Management Solutions estimates that Hurricane Ian caused $53 billion to $74 billion in property damage nationwide, with $46 billion to $67 billion attributable to wind damage.

Types of Wind Damage from Hurricane Ian

According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, several different types of devastating wind conditions can cause wind damage during hurricanes:

• Downdrafts. Downdrafts are small columns of air that descend groundward.
• Straight-line winds. Straight-line winds are any storm winds that do not rotate, unlike tornadic winds that spin.
• Macrobursts. Macrobursts are gusts of strong outward winds that occur once strong downdrafts hit the ground, like water hitting the bottom of a basin.
• Microbursts. Microbursts are more minor gusts with maximum speeds of 100 mph.
• Gust fronts. Gust fronts are wind drafts along the leading rain-cooled edge of a storm front.
• Derechos. Derechos are diffuse, long-lasting windstorms that occur when rapid storm fronts move in clusters.

Filing an Insurance Claim for Hurricane Ian Wind Damage

Even when your insurance policy covers hurricane-related wind damage, obtaining compensation for repairs is often frustrating and discouraging. Many property owners are disappointed to learn their home states have obscure rules and requirements for hurricane damage insurance, such as “hurricane deductibles,” which often cost more than average deductibles and kick in more frequently. In certain states, you might need separate wind insurance if you want coverage for hurricane-related wind damage. And if you have it, there’s still a chance your insurance company will insist that a particular phrase or word in your policy relieves them from responsibility. Fighting back when insurance companies use these kinds of vague and arbitrary excuses can be exhausting, especially when you’re already struggling to get your property back in shape. Fortunately, you don’t have to face this difficult situation alone. As a policyholder who pays monthly premiums, you have the right to expect fair and prompt coverage for valid insurance claims. The legal team at Dolman Law Group is here to help you defend that right. We can help you identify the extent of your policy coverage, prepare a strong claim, and demand full benefits for your losses. If the insurance company tries to minimize or deny your Hurricane Ian wind damage claim, we can aggressively advocate for your rights and work toward a solution. And if they will not consider your claim in good faith, we are prepared to take them to trial. Our experienced litigators will do what it takes to get you the financial relief you need.

What to Do if Hurricane Ian Caused Wind Damage to Your Property

Wind damage from a severe hurricane like Ian can quickly destroy a property, rendering it unfit for habitation or business. You can take steps to restore your property to a safe condition and establish a strong insurance claim by:

• Contacting your insurance agent promptly to report the hurricane wind damage
• Watching what you say to your insurance provider or other parties about the hurricane wind damage before reviewing your case with an attorney
• Taking photos or video of inside and outside wind damage before cleaning up
• Preventing additional damage from water intrusion or pest infestations by completing basic repairs, like putting waterproof tarps over roof holes
• Holding on to all wind-damaged items until an insurance adjuster evaluates them
• Cooperating with the adjuster if they visit your property to examine the damage
• Waiting to initiate large-scale repairs until the insurance adjuster says to proceed
• Refraining from posting photos or comments online while your claim is pending
• Gathering evidence for your property damage claim, such as proof of the value of your property and invoices or estimates for property repairs
• Contacting the experienced Hurricane Ian wind damage attorneys at Dolman Law Group for a free case review

Hurricane Ian Wind Damage FAQs

Did your property sustain wind damage from Hurricane Ian? Check out the following answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we get about wind damage:

How do I know whether my policy covers wind damage from Hurricane Ian?

If you’re uncertain about the extent of your coverage, look through your insurance policy to see what it says. If you don’t have access to a copy of your policy, request one from your provider. The best place to start is your policy’s declarations page, which should include details about covered events. Most standard property insurance policies cover wind damage but remember that insurance companies exclude wind coverage for properties in certain high-risk areas. If you have questions or your policy excludes the type of wind damage that affected your property, contact an attorney for clarification.

Will my insurance cover temporary living expenses if I have to relocate?

In some cases, yes. If property damage from a covered peril renders your property uninhabitable, you could obtain temporary housing reimbursement for hotel stays or other accommodations. However, the amount of time a policy will cover such expenses varies. Contact your provider about a possible extension if you believe you need long-term temporary accommodations or speak to a lawyer.

When should I hire a property damage lawyer after Hurricane Ian damage?

Ideally, you should hire a property damage lawyer immediately after you learn that you have a claim. The sooner you have a knowledgeable attorney working on your claim, the sooner they can lay the groundwork for a strong case on your behalf. You could lose considerable time and money if you try to navigate the legal and insurance systems yourself. And if you accept a settlement offer only to find out later that you deserve additional compensation, you can’t start over and ask for more money. It’s crucial to pursue the compensation you need from the start of the claims process and only accept a fair offer, and the best way to do that is to work with a trusted property damage lawyer from the beginning of the process.

How long will it take to settle my wind damage claim?

It depends. If you have an inexpensive claim for modest damage, you could reach a settlement deal in weeks. However, it could take months to settle if you have a high-value claim for extensive damage. Remember that a rapid settlement agreement isn’t necessarily a good one. A responsible attorney will advise you to stay patient for as long as possible while they make every effort to increase the value of your settlement.

Contact a Hurricane Ian Wind Damage Lawyer Today

If Hurricane Ian damaged your property in any state, call Dolman Law Group immediately. Our firm works with local counsel in any jurisdiction nationwide to file lawsuits on behalf of our deserving clients, regardless of where they live. Contact us today at 833-552-7274 to discuss the details of your case during a free initial consultation session with our Hurricane Ian wind damage lawyers. The Dolman Law Group works with local counsel in any jurisdiction outside Florida for the purpose of filing lawsuits in jurisdictions wherein we are not licensed. Thus, we will follow each State’s ethical rules to ensure a local attorney is involved.