Florida Home & Condo Hurricane Insurance Claims Lawyer
In the aftermath of a hurricane Florida residents are forced to begin navigating confusing and often contentious insurance claim proceedings in an effort to start making repairs on their homes and condos. Whether a homeowner’s insurer is unreasonably delaying a claim or has provided an inaccurate and unfair estimate of damages, having the advice of an experienced Florida home & condo hurricane insurance claim lawyer is necessary to the successful resolution of a case.
Homeowner’s Insurance
Fortunately for Florida residents, most homeowner’s insurance policies cover wind damage caused by natural disasters like hurricanes. This means that condo owners and homeowners whose siding or roofs are damaged during a hurricane can expect to collect compensation to cover the costs of repair. However, hurricanes are almost always accompanied by heavy rains, which can make the insurance claims process much more difficult. This is because most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flooding and during large storms, such as hurricanes, it can be difficult to determine which caused what type of damage. For example, it may be clear that wind damage broke the windows in a home, but it will be more difficult to demonstrate that the subsequent water damage should also be covered by the same policy. In these cases, whether or not a homeowner purchased a separate insurance policy to cover flooding can be crucial in determining how much they can expect in payment.
Aside from covering damage to the home and its contents, most homeowner’s insurance policies also provide coverage for additional living expenses. This includes payment for a hotel or rental home while repairs are being made to the home. Finally, the cost of debris removal and boarding up are also usually included in these types of policies.
Condo Owners
Condo owners often face unique problems after a hurricane. This is because there is not one, but two insurance policies at play when a condo is damaged in a hurricane. The first policy is purchased by the condo owner and covers the inside of the home as well as its contents. The second policy is provided by the condo association, which is required by law to purchase property damage insurance. Also known as casualty insurance, these policies cover damage to the common elements of a home, such as the roof, drywall, and structural elements of the residence caused by storms, floods, and fires. However, certain specific items within an owner’s unit are not covered by an association’s policy, including carpeting, built-in cabinets and countertops, electrical fixtures, appliances, furniture, clothing, and jewelry.
Condo owners whose homes are damaged during a hurricane are required to deal with at least two different insurers: the insurer for their own individual policy and the condo association’s insurer. In some cases, it may also be necessary to file a claim with a third insurer that specifically covers flood damage. Handling all of these claims can be difficult, making it especially important for condo owners whose homes were damaged during the recent hurricane, to speak with an insurance claims lawyer who can represent their interests.
Get the Legal Representation You Deserve
Please contact The Pendas Law Firm at 1-844-200-0000 to speak with a dedicated insurance claims lawyer about your case. We are eager to begin working on your behalf.