Tampa First Party Storm Damage Lawyer
Hurricanes and tropical storms wreak havoc on Florida virtually every year, causing billions of dollars in damage, large power outages, flooded streets, and evacuations. The personal damage to homeowners is often tremendous, with entire roofs being ripped off and garage doors torn away when winds are at their strongest. Prolonged rainfall and storm surge causes flooding, which no private homeowners’ insurance policies even cover. Other water damage occurs when windows are broken in, allowing rainwater to soak the interior of an otherwise safe-from-flood home built on higher terrain. If your home has suffered any type of storm damage, your insurance company should pay out. However, common filling errors typically cause long delays and claim denials, while bad faith insurers deny countless others due to corporate greed. Only a Tampa first party storm damage lawyer with The Pendas Law Firm will be able to get you the finances you need to repair and rebuild.
Why Florida Homes are at Particular Storm Risk
After a devastating hurricane that ravaged Florida in the early 1990s, the state adopted building codes that were aimed at making all new structures be able to withstand 175 mile per hour winds. However, between 50 and 75 percent of South Florida homes do not meet the 1992 building code requirement, according to Quartz. Most homes were built long before 1992, while others that are built to current code are still not sturdy enough to withstand the strongest hurricanes, and of course may suffer many other exterior damages such as broken windows and damaged roofs.
Florida is situated in the perfect location for hurricane and tropical storm damage. As warm air gatherers energy, moisture, and heat from the warm Caribbean, storms increase in power as they move towards land, where Florida is often the first contact point. Of all the Hurricanes that make landfall, 40 percent hit Florida, according to Trip Savvy. Another main geological feature that causes increased storm damage includes Tampa and the rest of the state being only a few feet above sea level. During storms, wind pushes waves up onto the land, called storm surge, which can essentially raise the sea level by dozens of feet. 2.8 million Florida homes are at risk of storm surge. As sea level from climate change increases, levies will be pointless, as the porous limestone bedrock of the state will allow sea level to rise up through the ground.
What Your Policy Most Likely Covers
- Water damage not caused by flooding;
- Wind damage;
- Hail damage;
- Fire damage;
- Vandalism and theft during evacuations;
- Falling branches or trees;
- Power surge; and
- Sewer backup.
A Tampa Lawyer is Here to Help
Whether your house, trailer, or condominium has suffered minor to moderate wind and water damage, to catastrophic destruction of the entire building, an attorney will help maximize your claim payout in the most timely manner possible. If you have already been denied, our lawyers can help. Call the Tampa first party storm damage attorneys of The Pendas Law Firm today at 1-844-200-0000 to schedule a free consultation.
