Hurricanes and tropical storms are hardly strangers to New Port Richey citizens. While some of us know how to prepare for probable property loss due to hurricanes, it's not always possible to avoid the damage and destruction that high winds and torrential rain cause. For victims whose homes have sustained extensive damage, they don't often have many options other than to rely on insurance providers to offer enough compensation.
But what if the insurance company refuses to compensate you? A New Port Richey hurricane damage lawyer with Dolman Law Group can help you fight for a financial recovery.
How a New Port Richey Hurricane Damage Lawyer on Our Team Can Help
If your insurance company denies or underpays your claim, the attorneys at Dolman Law Group can help you fight for sufficient compensation. The responsibilities they will assume include:
- Analyzing your policy and providing you with an objective assessment of your claim's merits
- Collecting the documentation and proof you'll need to back up your claim
- Communicating with your insurance company about everything from the procedure to filing a claim and discussing prospective settlement offers
- Fighting to appeal your denial so you can get the coverage your insurance company was initially responsible for
- Pursuing legal action through the court if need be
Types of Hurricane Damages You May Face
Whether you've lived in New Port Richey for a while or you're new to the area, you're probably well aware that storms can be devastating. They can cause property damage worth tens of thousands of dollars or more. Hurricane damages can take various forms, including:
- Roof damage or collapse can render your property unusable.
- The damage to your home and its surroundings can also cause problems with your foundation.
- Flooding and water damage can seep into the structure of your house, wreaking havoc on your belongings and your home interior.
- Sparks from a downed power line might start a fire and damage your home.
- Severe winds can blow large objects and other debris into your home, shattering windows and causing destruction.
- Wind damage can also cause trees to uproot, fall, or break. The crushing weight can destroy cars, homes, and more.
- A hurricane may also adversely affect outdoor structures like pools, barns, detached garages, and landscaping.
Why Insurance Companies Might Deny Your Claim
The insurance company may be dragging its feet when it comes to paying your claim. They could be:
- Delaying or failing to examine your claim
- Undervaluing your hurricane damage
- Denying your claim without a reasonable justification
These outcomes can leave you feeling desperate, without the help you need and deserve. Their actions can put you in financial trouble or even at risk of losing the home you're trying to protect. To get a better picture of how insurance companies do all of the above, let's explore the common tactics they use.
Cause-and-Effect Denial
Causation is usually a crucial consideration when it comes to property damage claims. If a hurricane produces catastrophic damages to your property, your insurer may try to show that a downpour or flood is causing the damage, not a storm. As such, you might not have flood insurance, which is separate from storm damage insurance.
Although hurricanes and floods are closely connected, insurers may not have to pay if a flood, tornado, or other forms of meteorological phenomenon causes storm damage. As a result, insurers will take measures to demonstrate that they are not financially liable for any storm damage.
Undervaluing the Extent of Your Damages
Undervaluation of your property damage happens when insurers agree to cover losses, but only at a fraction of their actual value.
The cost of materials, labor, and other factors that impact the cost of reconstruction rise dramatically during hurricane season. Despite the rising costs, insurance companies usually base their pricing models on a period when everything is in regular working order, meaning not in a hurricane season. As a result, the compensation amount won't represent the actual conditions; the payouts would not reflect real-world values.
To combat undervaluation, using the services of our hurricane damage attorney serving New Port Richey might be beneficial in securing a fair settlement from an insurance policy.
Acting in Bad Faith
In the context of insurance, acting in bad faith implies that the insurer is not providing the coverage they committed to offering.
The insurer is obligated to cover as long as the policyholder pays the premium on time. Acting in bad faith is a breach of the legally binding agreement between both parties.
Insurers may fail to offer a clear explanation for why they refused a claim. They might argue that the policyholder did not pay their monthly premium or that the policy does not cover some components. You may want to call our firm for a free consultation if an insurance company acts in bad faith—our lawyers can protect you from these tactics.
Don't Wait—Now is the Time to Act
After working hard for years to build and maintain your home, receiving a claims denial notice in the mail is nothing short of discouraging. You can fight back, but you're on the clock. According to Florida Statutes § 627.70132, you generally have three years to file a hurricane damage claim.
You can get some much-needed peace of mind when you hire the help of one of our attorneys. Focus on getting your life back on track after the disaster, and let us handle the deadlines.
Reach Out to Dolman Law Group for Help with Your Hurricane Damage Claim
Call us for a free consultation with one of our team members. You can learn more about Dolman Law Group and how our New Port Richey hurricane damage lawyers can help you. We're ready to take a closer look at your homeowners insurance claim.
New Port Richey Office
5924 Main St
New Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 477-9660