Florida Hurricane Damage Attorneys

Florida is known for its sunshine and warm weather, along with its beaches and tourist attractions.

Unfortunately, the state is also known for hurricanes.

The most recent devastating hurricane, Hurricane Ian, landed in 2022. The storm struck the state as a Category 4 and caused more than $112 billion in damage and 150 fatalities. It ranks as the third most damaging hurricane to strike Florida.

In 2022, Hurricane Nicole also hit Florida as a Category 1, and Hurricane Fiona brought heavy wind and rain to the state when it struck Puerto Rico. Florida also sees dozens of tropical storms in any given year and numerous thunderstorms.

The strong weather systems in Florida experiences damage homes, businesses, and other properties. Although most property owners have insurance, your insurer can make getting your rightful benefits following a hurricane or other damaging storm challenging.

If you have problems getting the benefits you deserve from your homeowners or property owners’ insurance, contact an experienced hurricane damage lawyer in Florida right away.

The attorneys at Boohoff Law have decades of collective experience helping clients throughout Florida with their hurricane damage and storm damage claims. We will review your case at no cost and advise you of your options. We can also assist you with appealing a denied claim and holding your insurance company accountable. Contact us today for your free consultation.

Why Choose Boohoff Law for Your Hurricane Damage Claim

At Boohoff Law, we place your needs first. We are fully dedicated to providing the highest level of representation possible, and you can count on us to fight hard to help you recover the maximum compensation possible.

Our attorneys have earned national recognition for our professionalism and client service, and we can:

• Explain your insurance policy and your coverage
• Document your property damage and gathering evidence
• Complete any forms correctly and compiling the necessary paperwork
• File your hurricane damage claim for you
• Deal with all insurance company communications
• Negotiate with the insurer to get a fair settlement
• Take the insurer to court, if necessary
• Appeal a denied claim or challenging an unjust policy decision

When you work with Boohoff Law, you can expect to receive compassionate, personalized attention from a legal team that genuinely cares about you and your struggles.

You don’t need the additional stress of dealing with an unresponsive insurer, especially as you try to deal with the damage to your home and property. Contact Boohoff law and let us handle your claim for you.

What Hurricane Damage Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

The coverage homeowners insurance provides for hurricane damage can vary depending on the specific policy and the insurance company.

However, in general, homeowners insurance typically covers:

• Wind damage. Homeowners insurance typically covers wind-related damage caused by hurricanes, including structural damage to the home, roof, windows, and doors. This coverage may extend to other structures on the property, such as garages or sheds.
• Damage from falling objects. If high winds cause objects like trees, branches, or debris to fall onto your property and damage your home, homeowners insurance generally covers the cost of repairs.
• Water damage. Homeowners insurance usually covers water damage caused by hurricanes, such rain entering through a damaged roof or broken windows. However, standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding caused by rising waters (storm surge). That requires separate flood insurance. If you live in a coastal or low-lying area, you should add flood insurance coverage to your policy if you haven’t already.
• Additional living expenses. If your home becomes uninhabitable due to hurricane damage, homeowners insurance usually covers additional living expenses. This coverage can pay for temporary accommodations, meals, and other expenses you incur while yoe repair or rebuild your home.
• Personal belongings. Homeowners insurance typically covers the loss or damage of personal belongings caused by hurricanes, including furniture, clothing, electronics, and other possessions. However, insurers may limit coverage for certain high-value items, such as jewelry or artwork. You might require additional coverage through policy endorsements or separate insurance to pay for those items.

Our hurricane damage attorneys can review your policy with you to explain the specific coverage, exclusions, deductibles, and limits that apply to hurricane damage.

What Are My Options if My Insurance Company Denies My Hurricane Damage Claim?

If your insurance company denies your hurricane damage claim, you likely still have several options.

Consult our attorneys right away. We can help you determine the best course of action and assist you in getting the money you need.

You can:

• Review your policy. Carefully review the denial letter and your homeowners insurance policy with your attorney to understand the specific reasons the insurer denied your claim. Check for relevant any policy exclusions, limitations, or conditions. Understanding your policy will help you assess the validity of the denial.
• Contact your insurance company. Have your lawyer reach out to your insurance company to discuss the denial and seek clarification. Your attorney should discuss the specific reasons outlined in the denial letter and identify any potential misunderstandings or errors that contributed to the insurer’s decision.
• Provide additional documentation. You may need your attorney to submit additional documentation and evidence to support your claim. This might include photographs, videos, expert opinions, repair estimates, or any other relevant information that can demonstrate the extent of the hurricane damage and the validity of your claim.
• File an appeal. If you believe the insurance company improperly or unjustly denied your hurricane damage claim, your attorney can file an appeal. Your lawyer needs to follow the insurer’s specific procedures for filing an appeal and submit any additional documentation or information that supports your claim. Both you and your lawyer should keep records of all communication and correspondence related to the appeal process.
• Notifying the state insurance department. If your insurer denies your appeal or you believe your insurance company acted in bad faith, your attorney can file a complaint with your state’s insurance department. They can investigate your case and provide assistance in resolving the dispute.
• Attending mediation or arbitration. In some cases, insurance policies may include provisions for mediation or arbitration to resolve disputes. These processes involve a neutral third party who can facilitate a resolution between you and the insurance company without going to court. Your attorney can discuss the process with you.

If you exhaust all other options, your attorney may need to file a lawsuit against your insurance company. You can discuss with your lawyer the merits of your case and determine if going to court is the best course of action. If so, your attorney can represent you at trial and present a compelling case to the court to sway its decision in your favor.

Bad Faith Practices Involving Hurricane Damage Claims

While insurance companies must act in good faith when handling hurricane damage claims, not all do, and instances of bad faith practices occur all too often. Your lawyer can explain what constitutes bad faith and how you can hold the insurance company accountable for it.

Examples of bad faith practices include: 

• Unreasonable denial of valid claims. Insurance companies may unjustifiably deny or delay valid hurricane damage claims without providing a legitimate reason or thorough investigation. They may misinterpret policy terms or selectively apply exclusions to avoid payment.
• Failure to investigate. Insurance companies must promptly and thoroughly investigate your claim. However, they may neglect to properly assess your hurricane damage, request necessary documentation, or send an adjuster to evaluate the property.
• Undervaluing the claim. The insurer may intentionally undervalue your hurricane damage and offer a settlement for significantly less than the actual costs of repair or replacement. They may use outdated pricing methods or unreliable contractors’ estimates.
• Delaying claim processing. The insurance provider may unnecessarily prolong the claims process by requesting excessive documentation, repeatedly asking for additional information, or failing to provide timely updates on the progress of the claim. These delays can cause financial hardships and hinder the timely repairs of your property.
• Misrepresentation or concealment of policy terms. Insurance carriers may misrepresent or omit important policy terms and coverage details, leaving policyholders unaware of their rights and entitlements. They may fail to adequately explain policy exclusions or limitations related to hurricane damage.
• Intimidation or coercion tactics. Some insurance companies may use intimidation or coercion to discourage policyholders from pursuing their rightful claims. This can include making false statements about the policy, threatening legal action, or engaging in aggressive negotiation tactics.
• Failure to communicate in good faith. Insurance companies must communicate promptly and transparently with policyholders. However, they may avoid or ignore communication attempts, fail to respond to inquiries or requests for information, or provide misleading or incomplete information.

If your insurance company engages in bad faith practices regarding your hurricane damage claim, document all interactions and gather evidence of their actions. Then, consult our attorneys.

With our experience in insurance law and bad faith claims, we can explain your rights and explore your options. Our lawyers can navigate the claims process, negotiate with the insurance company, and pursue legal action if necessary.

Note that Florida allows you five years to bring a bad faith action against an insurance company, so you need to contact an attorney as soon as possible to safeguard your rights and options for getting compensation.

Contact an Experienced Hurricane Damage Lawyer Today

You bought property insurance for a reason, and you faithfully paid your premiums for years. You may have even purchased flood insurance or other policy add-ons to cover all contingencies related to the hurricane, wind, and rain damage.

Now that you need your money, the insurance company is not making things easy for you.

You don’t have to accept this treatment, and you have options to hold the insurance company accountable and get the benefits you deserve.

Whether your hurricane damage resulted from Hurricane Ian or another storm, act quickly and consult a personal injury attorney in Florida right away. Contact us at Boohoff Law today at (813) 445-8161 for your free consultation. Our Florida hurricane damage lawyers are ready to assist you in getting the money you need.

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We are available 24/7 to help – call 813-725-5606 to discuss your case today!

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Boohoff Law P.A. – Tampa Office

Phone: 813-725-5606