Tropical Storm and Hurricane Damage Attorneys in Florida
There’s no doubt that hurricanes represent the greatest property damage threat to states along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Florida is uniquely situated between both, which results in the state frequently being the target of these massive storms.
According to the Office of Coast Management, hurricanes caused an estimated $1.1 trillion (yes, trillion with a T) of damage in the U.S. between 1980 and 2021. They’re also the leading cause of weather disaster fatalities, causing 6,697 deaths during that same period.
Some hurricanes and years have left indelible marks on not just Florida but the entire nation. People everywhere know the names Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Katrina. For Floridians, the threat is real and imminent.
For people in the paths of these storms, their only chance at recovery is with help from their insurance company. You signed a contract and paid your premiums, now it’s their turn to pay your claim. Unfortunately, things don’t always work out that cleanly.
If you’re facing storm damage claim denial, claim underpayment or unreasonable delays, the property damage lawyers at Kanner & Pintaluga are here to help.
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How Is Storm-Related Flood Damage Different from Other Types of Storm Property Damage?
One of the insurance company’s favorite storm damage claim denial rationales is, “Your damage was caused by flooding.” Two things can be true at once:
- FEMA flood insurance pays for natural flood damage claims, not your normal hurricane damage insurance
- Your water damage was a result of a covered peril, like wind damage or hail damage
Whether your home insurance company should cover water damage is primarily based on how and where that water entered your home. Natural flooding is excluded from your policy, but rain that enters your home through storm-damaged roofing or a window that was broken by flying debris is not natural flooding. In that scenario, your home insurance policy likely should be covering your water damage and necessary repair services, including things like mold testing and remediation.
Even if the insurance company acknowledges your water damage was caused by a non-flood source, they may still attempt to dispute your claim. For example, they may suggest your roof was in disrepair prior to the storm, making any water damage caused by your leaky roof your own fault.
You don’t have to simply accept the insurance company’s initial decision on your claim. If you believe you’re being treated unfairly, the Florida storm damage lawyers at Kanner & Pintaluga are here to help.
Florida Storm Damage Comes in Many Forms
When the average person thinks of hurricane damage, they’re generally envisioning wind, rain and storm surge flooding. While these hazards do lead to most damage during Florida hurricanes, they’re not the only sources of damage or always the direct cause of property damage.
Fires are a frequent occurrence in hurricanes. People who are burning candles when the power goes out can inadvertently start fires if those candles are knocked or blown over. Fires can also be sparked by downed power lines.
Unfortunately, storms and the lack of a police presence in their aftermath can also lead to claims related to looting and vandalism.
At Kanner & Pintaluga, we take all types of property damage cases, not only those related to wind damage or flooding. If your business, home or private property suffered any type of damage during a storm, and the insurance company is unfairly denying or undervaluing your claim, we’re here to help.