How to File Hurricane Damage Lawsuit In 2024
Although the homeowner’s insurance policy may offer you some peace of mind if the policy covers hurricane and tropical storm damage. But what if the insurer tries to deny your claim?
The insurance companies are in the business of making money by denying claims or paying out as little as possible after a hurricane hits. As a result, it leaves thousands of property owners, who loyally paid their premiums every month, without the compensation they need to recover from a disaster.
Types of hurricane damages
- Blocked roadways.
- Broken window.
- Collapsed roof.
- Damage from projectiles.
- Damage to building a foundation.
- Damage to garages and porches.
- Damage to outdoor fixtures such as pools, landscaping, and sheds.
- Destruction of shingles and siding.
- Exterior wall damage.
- Fire damage.
- Flooding.
- Loss of power and water.
- Toppled trees.
- Power line damage.
- Roof lifting.
- Uprooted trees.
- Vehicle damage.
- Water damage.
- Wind damage.
However, filing a lawsuit will help you get maximum hurricane damage recovery with a hassle-free procedure. The hurricane damage attorney will assess the extent of your hurricane damage and provide you with an overview of your legal options.
Steps to take after a hurricane
If your home or business is damaged in the storm, take the following steps to ensure your insurance claim is handled promptly and in a fair manner.
1. Cover up your damaged property:
If your property is damaged, it’s important to cover it with a tarp to prevent water intrusion or any other damage. Or else, the insurance company might blame you for the damage and deny or undervalue your claim.
2. Document everything:
While taking photographs, you should begin outside and get your entire house in each shot. For example, all four sides and as much of the roof as you can. Don’t forget to take photos of the entire yard. Moreover, you should also keep a detailed written inventory of damaged property.
3. File insurance claim:
There are particular deadlines to file hurricane damages insurance. Therefore, it’s important to act fast after storm damage. Take all the photographs, written records, and file your claim as quickly as you can.
4. Make proper records:
keep a journal of every conversation with the insurance representative and others involved in your hurricane damage claim. You should record the day and time of the conversation, the name of the person you spoke with, and make proper notes of any monetary amounts mentioned.
5. Contact a hurricane insurance lawyer:
If you own a home or business that has suffered hurricane damage, and the insurance company is denying, delaying, or lowballing your claim. Hiring a skilled and experienced hurricane damages lawyer is your best decision.
How to prepare for the adjuster’s visits?
The insurance companies will send you a proof of loss form to complete or an adjuster may visit your home first. You need to provide them with all the information you have about your damaged possessions.
For example, a description of the item, approximate date of purchase, and what it would cost to replace or repair, the faster you file your claim, the higher chances you will get to win your case.
- To substantiate your loss easily, you need to prepare an inventory of damaged or destroyed items. Now give a copy to the adjuster along with copies of any receipts. It’s better not to throw the damaged items until the adjuster has visited.
- You should also consider photographing or videotaping the damage. However, if your property was destroyed or you no longer have any records, work from memory.
- Identify all the structural damages to your home and other structures such as a garage, tool shed, or in-ground swimming pool. Prepare a list of everything you want to show the adjuster to get a higher amount as a hurricane damage recovery.
- For instance, cracks in the walls or missing roof tiles. Furthermore, you should also cross-check the electrical system as most insurance companies pay for these inspections.
- Get written bids from licensed contractors. The bids must include details of the materials to be used and prices on a line-by-line basis. It makes adjusting the claim faster and simpler.
- Keep copies of the lists and other documents you submit to the insurance company. Moreover, you should also keep copies of whatever paperwork the insurance company gives you along with the names and phone numbers of everyone you speak to.
Common tactics insurance companies use to avoid offering full payouts:
- Asks you for a written release of any supplemental claim as a condition of payment.
- Challenges the severity of your losses.
- Denies a claim just because it is fully or partially excluded under your policy.
- Denies all the parts of your claim without giving a genuine explanation.
- Denies that certain insurance coverage exists within your policy.
- Tell the policyholders they don’t need an attorney to resolve the dispute.
- Underestimates the economic impact of your losses and lowers their offers.
Reasons to choose hurricane insurance lawyers
- An experienced hurricane insurance lawyer in Philadelphia investigates and validates all the hurricane damage, estimates the value of losses of personal property, and helps negotiate settlements with the insurance company.
- The lawyer will file a breach of contract claim against your insurance company when they do not offer you a monetary settlement for the damage repairs.
- In addition to saving your money, there are frequent tactics they employ to help you win your case.
- The lawyers are well-versed in immoral and unscrupulous strategies and help you avoid them to maximize your recovery.
- The lawyer will estimate how much your case is worth. In addition, he/she will collaborate with you every step of the way to ensure you are confident in the legal services and the likelihood of the success of your case.
If you want a lawyer who cares about you and the outcome of your hurricane damage lawsuit, choose Ethen Ostroff. He and his professional connections ensure you get every dollar possible for what you went through.
