Wind damage is an all-too-common reality for Florida homeowners. From powerful hurricanes to severe thunderstorms, high winds can wreak havoc on roofs, windows, and other parts of your property. When this happens, your first instinct might be to contact your insurance company. However, the most critical first step is often overlooked: calling an attorney. Here’s why reaching out to an experienced insurance law attorney should be your top priority after wind damage in Florida.
A History of Wind Claim Denials in Florida
Homeowners insurance companies in Florida have a laundry list of reasons for denying a wind damage claim.When a named storm makes landfall, they have yet another one.
Here’s a little backstory on what can make wind damage claims in Florida so complicated.
One of the trickiest aspects of wind claims over the last several years has been the increased frequency and intensity of severe storms. In the early 2000s, severe storms occurred with less regularity, and when a named storm did pass through, homeowners could generally expect their claims to be covered, albeit underpaid. However, as the frequency of storms increased, so did the complexity of filing claims.
More recently, with named storms hitting one after another, homeowners have found themselves caught in a frustrating cycle. Many insurance providers have used various tactics to avoid paying claims. For instance, if you didn’t file a claim after a prior storm, they could deny your current claim by blaming the damage on an older storm.
How to Protect Your Home and Finances
Navigating the complexities of wind damage claims is challenging, especially when insurance companies work against you. Whether they argue that your damage occurred during a previous storm or demand that you fork over multiple deductibles, the odds are increasingly stacked against the homeowner. In some cases, the shill engineers insurance companies use might show up to say none of your damage is even wind-related.
This can lead homeowners to feel trapped and at a loss for how to fight back against insurance companies’ fraudulent tactics. Documenting storm damage after every violent weather event is one way to protect yourself, but this can be nearly impossible in practice. That’s why having legal representation from the outset is critical when filing a claim.
Contact Our Law Firm at Kandell, Kandell & Petrie
To safeguard your rights and maximize your chances of receiving a fair settlement, it’s essential to get legal support early in the process. If you’re planning to file a wind damage claim, don’t go it alone. Reach out to a qualified attorney to help guide you through the process and ensure you get what you’re owed. If you plan to file a wind claim, call us first at KK&P Law Firm. We have been helping homeowners with their hurricane and other property damage claims since 2004 and have more than 50 years of combined legal experience.
