When you go to Fort Myers Beach, the scars of Hurricane Ian are unmistakable. Lots are abandoned, hotels are missing walls and the few houses there, look brand new. Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers and Sanibel Island in 2022, yet many buildings and homes are still abandoned waiting on repairs.
There is often a lack of workers who can provide the construction services needed for repairs. But, too often, it is because the insurance company is slow to process claims, or the amount of the claim is in dispute.
As your attorney, our goal is to ensure that insurance companies provide a fair and just payout for your claim as quickly as possible. Of course, it is not easy with insurance companies doing everything they can to do the exact opposite.
For that reason, it is critical to take the right steps following an incident that will require a claim from your property insurance company.
The attorneys at The Orlando Law Group have a long history of working with clients on their hurricane, windstorm and flood claims. If you live in Orlando, Winter Garden, Altamonte Springs, Kissimmee or anywhere throughout Central Florida, The Orlando Law Group is ready to help you.
The first step is to make sure you are safe
The safety of you and your family should always be the top priority after an incident requiring an insurance claim. As such, the very first step is to call emergency services to take care of any immediate medical issues.
Once everyone is deemed safe, it is time to document the damage to your property as much as possible. Take photographs and video of the damage – albeit making sure you can safely do so, avoiding any power lines or other potential dangers. Get close-ups of the damage and show broken or ruined furniture, valuables and other damage.
Do not start cleaning up until after the insurance claim has been filed and you have documented the damage.
With that information, reach out to your insurance company to let them know you will need to file a claim. At this time, you’ll want to reach out to The Orlando Law Group so they can start the process of protecting your interests in a legal fight with your insurance company.
Our attorneys hope it won’t be a fight, but the sooner you can let us know one may be coming, the better we can be prepared to help you fight.
Need a new place to live?
At this point, you will need to decide if your property is habitable and if there is anything that can be done to make it so you can live in it.
Remember, most insurance companies provide for living expenses if your home cannot be lived in at all. In some cases, they will provide an upfront sum to help you find temporary housing and other essential needs.
Even if they don’t, you’ll need to make sure you document every expense you have to spend on living expenses. This includes hotel receipts and restaurant receipts. If you lease a temporary rental house, make sure to have a copy of the rental agreement. If you need clothing, medicines or other essentials, document what you need and the costs of getting the essentials.
Almost all of this can be reimbursed by the insurance company – but only if you have documentation of all of your expenses.
Make small repairs to your property
At this point, it is OK for you to start making some temporary repairs to your property. For instance, if the only damage to your home is a hole in the roof, put a tarp over the hole to prevent further damage.
If there is a tree blocking egress to the property, you can cut it down, although tree removal is only included in insurance if it lands on a car or a structure.
Of course, make sure you perform all repairs safely and only if you feel comfortable using the equipment needed – like a chainsaw.
Your situation may need to hire professional help. Often times the insurance company will have a list of companies, but if you feel you need help, let us know and we can figure out what would be covered under your policy in advance.
That said, we recommend finding appraisals for what you think is damaged, that way you have an understanding of how much insurance should be paying you for the repairs. Also, with estimates performed soon after the damage, you might be able to shorten the time between filing your claim and returning to a normal life.
Timing is important, but it is also important to be sure
In Florida, there is a statute of limitations of two years to file a property insurance claim, and that has decreased in recent years. We highly recommend not waiting until the end of your statute of limitations. The sooner you can file, the quicker we can resolve your claim.
That said, you also want to make sure your claim covers all the damage. If you miss something in a claim – for instance a leak in a roof that doesn’t show up immediately – it will be very difficult to refile and get payment for that damage.
Just remember to not accept a settlement offer from your insurance company without a review from an attorney. The insurance companies understand you are desperate to return to a normal life and will often try to take advantage of that urgency.
You do not want to take a lower settlement because you feel impatient to return home.
The attorneys at The Orlando Law Group can help property owners in Orlando, Waterford Lakes, Altamonte Springs, Winter Garden, Lake Nona, St. Cloud, Kissimmee, and throughout Central Florida.
If you have questions about anything discussed in this article or other legal matters, give our office a call at 407-512-4394 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation to discuss your case. We have an office conveniently located at 12301 Lake Underhill Rd, Suite 213, Orlando, FL 32828, as well as offices in Seminole, Osceola and West Orange counties to assist you.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
Last Updated on May 2, 2024 by The Orlando Law Group
