Florida Hurricane Insurance Dispute Attorneys
Hurricane activity in Florida causes millions of dollars in property damage each year. In the wake of a devastating hurricane, victims are faced with the daunting task of rebuilding and moving on. Unfortunately, in the interest of maximizing profits, many insurance companies are reluctant to fulfill their legal responsibilities under the terms of the policy. At Farah and Farah in Florida, our Jacksonville hurricane dispute attorneys are here to help. We will fight to make sure you receive the just compensation rightly due to you and your family.
- What You Should Know
- Flood Insurance
- Windstorm Coverage
- Hurricane Insurance Bad Faith
- Why Should I Contact an Attorney?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What You Should Know
- Most people assume they are not in a flood zone. After Hurricane Katrina, up to 80 percent of properties damaged in Mississippi and 60 percent in low-lying New Orleans did not have flood insurance. Even moderate flood zone areas change with time. Find out your flood risk by checking the National Flood Risk Insurance Program at www.floodsmart.gov. The National Flood Risk Insurance Program site provides an assessment of flood risk for a specific address.
- In Florida, the Office of Insurance Regulation estimates that two-thirds of families do not have flood coverage. It is estimated that about half of single family homes located in high flood risk zones do not have flood insurance. Others wrongly assume that their standard homeowners' policy will cover a flood-related loss while most private insurers don't even offer flood insurance. Check out your options at FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, www.fema.gov. FEMA's website offers tutorials on reading and understanding flood insurance rate maps. If you have questions about your insurance coverage, contact our Florida law firm to speak with our hurricane attorneys.
Flood Insurance
Almost all of the flood insurance in this country is provided by the federal government. Simply stated, private insurers do not want to undertake the great risk and cost of flood damage, particularly in high flood areas. The federal government stepped in, in the late 1960s and agreed to use tax dollars to underwrite flood insurance. Private insurers may sell and service the policies - but again, the underwriter is the federal government.
The flood insurance policy looks much like any other insurance policy, with generally four types of coverage in the policy, labeled as coverages A, B, C, and D. Coverage is provided for such things as buildings and other structures, personal property, debris removal, increased cost of compliance for building and other risks as well.
---AFTL Magazine, The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, www.aftl.org, Article by Samuel W. Bearman.
FEMA is the government agency that operates the flood insurance program. To learn more about flood insurance, contact our Florida hurricane dispute attorneys today.
Windstorm Coverage
Much of the windstorm coverage in the state of Florida, particularly in the high risk areas, is covered by a state agency, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. This agency is the successor to Florida Windstorm, which for many years was the state agency issuing wind insurance. These policies are underwritten by state tax dollars but are also substantially funded by contributions from private insurers. These policies are governed by Florida law and claims are to be filed with the state court.
---AFTL Magazine, The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, www.aftl.org, Article by Samuel W. Bearman.
Hurricane Insurance Bad Faith
Homeowner insurance companies frequently deny, delay, or underpay claims in order to cut costs and increase profits. Adjusters also try to force distraught homeowners into quick, "on-the-spot" settlements that do not sufficiently cover losses or provide adequate funds for victims to recover from the disaster.
Florida hurricane victims who become involved in an insurance dispute without retaining an attorney rarely receive the compensation due to them under the terms of their policy. Many insured homeowners simply do not understand their legal rights or the legal responsibilities of insurance companies.
If your insurance company acts in bad faith by denying or underpaying a meritorious claim, one of our Florida hurricane dispute attorneys may be able to secure punitive damages as well.
Why Should I Contact an Attorney?
By contacting our Florida personal injury law firm, you will have a powerful team of hurricane attorneys on your side who have extensive experience dealing with Florida insurance companies in these types of claims. The hurricane insurance dispute attorneys from our firm will deal directly with the insurance company so you don't have to. We will aggressively advocate your interests and work to maximize the payout of your claim.
Our Florida hurricane attorneys will make sure the insurance company compensates you for every expense that they are legally obligated to pay as stipulated by your homeowner's policy. This may include replacing any damaged personal property, reimbursing you for hotel and food expenses if your house is unsafe to live in, paying for the removal of trees and debris from your property, and compensating you for theft or vandalism that occurred after the hurricane.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is important to know your rights if you are filing an insurance claim after a hurricane. View the FAQs below for information from our Florida hurricane dispute attorneys. Find out what insurance typically will and will not cover and what type of reimbursement you can expect for articles damaged or destroyed during a hurricane.
What damages and expenses should my insurance company cover if a hurricane destroys my home or personal property?
If you are a homeowner with a valid insurance policy, your insurance company is obligated to pay for a hotel room and food expenses if your house is unfit to live in, the removal of debris and trees, and the replacement of any damaged personal property.
How do I get reimbursed for household items such as furniture, TVs, and DVDs?
These items should be covered by your insurance policy. For quicker reimbursement, try to gather any receipts or proof of items you had in your house prior to the hurricane.
How do I get reimbursed for more expensive items such as artwork and jewelry?
It is much more difficult to get reimbursed for more expensive items like jewelry. It is recommended that homeowners have separate insurance policies to cover such items. You should also always keep all receipts and appraisal documents in a safe deposit bank.
Will FEMA pay my insurance deductible?
No. FEMA has never paid an insurance deductible.
Can an insurance company raise my deductible after a hurricane?
In 1996, Florida passed a law that permits insurance companies to raise deductibles from two to five percent after a hurricane. However, insurance companies rarely invoke this right.
Can I sue the insurance company for punitive damages?
Yes. If your insurance company denies your valid claim in order to avoid a costly payout, Florida law allows the insured to seek punitive damages against the insurance company in addition to the money owed under the policy. Contact our hurricane dispute attorneys to learn more about filing claims for punitive damages.
Contact Our Hurricane Attorneys
At Farah and Farah, we understand the difficulty of coping with a catastrophic event such as a hurricane. Our Florida-based hurricane dispute attorneys are dedicated to helping victims rebuild their lives. If you are a Florida hurricane victim, contact the attorneys at Farah and Farah for aggressive and competent representation.