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Filing a wind damage insurance claim in Florida can be a daunting task, but understanding the process can make a big difference. The state's unique climate and geography make it prone to severe weather events, which is why it's essential to be prepared.
If you're a homeowner in Florida, you're likely aware of the state's high wind speeds, with gusts reaching up to 150 mph during hurricanes. This can cause significant damage to your property, making a timely insurance claim crucial.
Filing and Review
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report wind damage to your home. This will help ensure that your claim is processed promptly and that you don't miss any deadlines.
Review your insurance policy to understand what's covered and what's not. Check for exclusions, deductibles, and filing deadlines to avoid any surprises. Your policy may cover damage to your roof, siding, windows, and other features of your home.
Document all the damage with photos, videos, and receipts. This will help support your claim and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Make sure to keep a written record of everything affected, including estimated values if possible.
Here are some key documents to keep track of:
- Photos and videos of the damage
- Receipts for emergency repairs and temporary fixes
- Repair estimates and correspondence with licensed contractors
- Insurance policy details, including exclusions and deductibles
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to filing and reviewing your wind damage insurance claim in Florida. Remember to stay organized and keep all your documentation in one place to make the process smoother and less stressful.
Review Liable Policy
Reviewing your liable insurance policy is a crucial step in pursuing damages for wind-related issues. You should understand the basics of your policy to recognize what you're entitled to and whether the insurer is handling your claim in good faith.
Deductibles, exclusions, and filing deadlines are essential details to review. Your policy may cover damage to your roof, siding, windows, or other features of your home.
Here are some key points to consider:
- Roof damage: If wind displaced or damaged shingles, metal roofing, underlayment, or any other feature of your roof, repairs could be compensable under your policy.
- Damage from falling items: If a tree, branch, light pole, or any other item fell into your home, the resulting damage to your home should be part of your claim for damages.
- Siding damage: If the siding of your home became damaged because of wind gusts, flying debris, falling items, or any other wind-related hazards, you could seek fair compensation to repair or replace the siding.
- Window damage: Wind can damage the integrity of windows, whether through smashing, cracking, loosening seals, or other forms of damage.
By reviewing your policy, you can ensure that you're aware of what's covered and what's not. This will help you navigate the claims process and avoid any potential issues down the line.
Orange County Denial
Denial of insurance claims is a common issue in Orange County, especially for wind damage claims that can involve several thousands of dollars.
Any failure to pay premiums, comply with policy conditions, or disclose required information can lead to a claim being denied.
Insurance companies may deny claims by citing exclusions in the policy, requiring policyholders to understand their policy terms.
You don't have to accept an insurance company's settlement offer if you feel it doesn't fully reimburse you for the damage.
An insurance lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive a fair settlement.
Loss of Use
You may have to leave your home during repairs if wind damage is extensive.
Loss of use coverage kicks in to provide for additional living expenses while repairs are taking place.
If a portion of your home, like the kitchen, is rendered unusable, loss of use coverage helps you cover the costs of temporary living arrangements.
Siding
Siding is a crucial part of your home's exterior, and it's essential to understand how it's covered under your insurance policy. A standard homeowner policy dictates the amount of siding coverage based on the type of siding you have.
Vinyl and metal siding are the most common types, and they're often covered under your policy. This means that if your siding is damaged, you can rely on your insurance to help cover the costs.
The amount of coverage for siding is typically tied to the type of siding you have, so it's essential to review your policy to understand the specifics.
Mitigation and Prevention
Your insurance provider is only responsible for the damage caused by a covered event, such as a hurricane, not for any damage that arises afterward from unmitigated circumstances.
Mitigating further property damage depends on the devastation to your property and may involve installing dehumidifiers, removing soggy drywall, and boarding up broken windows.
Florida has a program called the FCHDMP that helps property owners reduce their risk of wind damage and lower their insurance rates.
Grants are available to assist with mitigation efforts like inspections, construction or modification of buildings, and retrofits that provide better protection from windstorms.
To earn wind mitigation credits, homeowners must add wind-resistant and hurricane-resistant features to their homes, such as wind-resistant doors and windows, hurricane shutters, and wind-rated garage doors.
A larger wind mitigation credit can result in a bigger insurance discount, and a good inspector might suggest additional upgrades for even more savings.
Hire a Lawyer
You don't need a specific reason to hire a lawyer for your wind damage insurance claim in Florida. Many claimants hire property damage lawyers because they don't have the time or psychological strength to deal with an insurance claim.
A lawyer can handle every aspect of the property damage claims process, including documenting and calculating your property damage, submitting all necessary documentation to insurers, negotiating with insurers, and taking any necessary legal measures.
If you've run into bad-faith insurance practices that hurt your chances of recovering a fair payout, hiring a lawyer can make a significant difference. Our lawyers are well-versed in Florida's legal landscape and can ensure that all claims are filed correctly and on time.
Here are some reasons why you should hire a lawyer for your wind damage insurance claim:
- They can handle the complex process of wind damage claims, including negotiating with insurance companies.
- They can ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve, even if the insurance company is acting in bad faith.
- They can guide you through every step of the claims process, from documenting damage to filing a lawsuit if necessary.
The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner you can start preparing your claim and fighting for financial recovery. Call a lawyer today for a free consultation and start taking control of your wind damage insurance claim.
Lawyer Services
If you're dealing with a wind damage insurance claim in Florida, hiring a lawyer can be a lifesaver. You don't need a specific reason to have a lawyer handle your claim, but if you're unfamiliar with the property claims process or have run into bad-faith insurance practices, a lawyer can be a big help.
A lawyer will handle every aspect of the property damage claims process, including documenting and calculating your property damage, submitting necessary documentation to insurers, negotiating with insurers, and taking any necessary legal measures. Our lawyers are well-versed in Florida's insurance laws and can ensure that all claims are filed correctly and on time.
Here are the services a lawyer can provide for your wind damage insurance claim:
- Documenting and calculating your property damage
- Submitting all necessary documentation to insurers
- Negotiating with insurers for a fair settlement
- Taking any necessary legal measures if an insurance company acts in bad faith
Navigating Florida's unique legal landscape can be daunting, but a lawyer can ease the burden and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Policy and Coverage
In Florida, understanding your insurance policy is crucial when pursuing damages for wind damage. Florida Statute § 627.712 requires all insurers to provide windstorm coverage.
Most residential property insurance policies in Florida require deductibles to be paid on the total windstorm damage before the insurer provides any benefits. These deductibles may be flat dollar amounts or a percentage of the insurance coverage.
Your insurance policy may cover various types of damage, including roof damage, damage from falling items, damage to siding, and damage to windows. Roofs are among the most expensive and important aspects of any structure, and if wind damaged or displaced shingles, metal roofing, underlayment, or any other feature of your roof, repairs could be compensable under your policy.
Wind damage coverage applies to every aspect of your home, including the roof, siding, and windows. A typical homeowners insurance policy provides protection against wind damage to your home and other structures on your property, such as fences, sheds, and gazebos.
Here are some common types of wind damage that your insurance policy may cover:
- Roof and Structural Damage: Windstorms frequently cause significant damage to roofs, leading to leaks, water intrusion, and other structural issues.
- Damage to Siding and Windows: Strong winds can tear siding off homes or shatter windows, leading to additional damage from rain and debris.
- Debris Impact Damage: Windstorms often cause trees, branches, and other debris to collide with homes or vehicles.
Florida insurance companies offer varying levels of coverage for wind damage and storm damage that are included in your standard homeowners' insurance policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as wind damage?
Wind damage typically refers to destruction caused by strong winds, including damage to roofs, windows, and other exterior structures
How to get wind coverage in Florida?
To get wind coverage in Florida, call 800-824-4282 Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Time for a quote.
Sources
- https://www.gedlawyers.com/faqs/how-to-file-a-wind-damage-insurance-claim-in-florida/
- https://www.williamspa.com/practice-areas/insurance-claims/wind-damage/
- https://www.floridainsuranceattorneys.com/property-insurance/wind-damage/
- https://ontargetclaims.com/will-homeowners-insurance-cover-wind-damage/
- https://www.harrelladjusting.com/post/is-wind-damage-covered-by-homeowners-insurance-in-florida
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