Ft Lauderdale property damage attorneys provide insight on dealing with aftermath of Hurricane Irma
First panic, then calm, then exhaustion. Welcome to the aftermath of hurricane Irma in Fort Lauderdale.
Irma was a storm with a split personality: It hit the west coast as a category 4 storm and the southeast coast as somewhere between a tropical storm and low-end category 1 hurricane. But to those of us who rode it out, and are now dealing with property damage in its aftermath, no matter what state it was in when it hit, it left a roadway of debris that now must be cleaned up so life can get back to normal.
What you need to do in the first month after the storm is crucial if your property has suffered flooding or storm surge, roof damage, water damage or if there is any other sort of loss you incurred from Irma’s rains and wind in Fort Lauderdale. Your biggest block wasn’t the wind that prevented you from heading outdoors; today your biggest block comes from insurance companies who will either deny your claim, delay your claim, or not reward you the full amount you are entitled to.
If you haven’t already, contact experts, including renowned Ft Lauderdale property damage attorneys, that can help you wade through issues regarding a homeowner’s insurance policy, flood insurance policy, or other insurance policies.
So what have you done so far to help your case?
The first thing you should have done – or should do now – is document any damage your property received from Hurricane Irma. This means you need to take extensive photographs of damage that occurred both inside and outside your property, to avoid any future disputes or conflicts about the amount of damage you received from the storm. Remember: In the future, if you have enough warning in advance of a storm, as was the case with Hurricane Irma where we had a week’s notice of the its approach, take pre-storm photos of the exterior and interior of property, including personal property, so that the insurance company will see exactly how you’ve been impacted.
In addition, you need to get all of your policies in order, whether you have a property policy, a wind policy or a flood policy – or all three. Remember that residential property insurers in Florida must offer hurricane windstorm coverage. If you’ve never purchased a policy for your property, now is the time to research the best policy for your situation.
You also need to give written notice to your insurance company – or insurance companies, depending on how many policies you hold – notifying it/them of the damage, where it occurred, the date and time it occurred and a brief description of what was damaged. The further you get from the storm and time of impact/damage, the more you risk your case, as other weather events also come into play. The insurer may also claim that the damage may have been incurred after the storm or even pre-dated the storm. Don’t forget to put your name, address and phone number on the letter as well as your insurance policy number.
You also need to pay attention to the deadline for reporting your proof of loss on each policy. The deadline could fall within three months (120 days) and if you feel you’ll need an extension, write the insurer immediately. Just writing the letter does not extend the deadline – you need written confirmation in return from the insurance company that they have approved the deadline extension.
Next comes preparation of a proof of loss document that identifies the property damaged and documents all amounts incurred. Oftentimes the proof of claim or proof of loss will include items such as before and after photographs, any receipts from work performed, quotes from contractors on work yet to be performed and other records and documents. Make sure you contact your insurance company and read your insurance policy so you know exactly what information to supply to them and what your deadlines are on each policy you may hold.
Expect that each insurer for each policy you hold will want to investigate your claims of loss and may even send out a representative to inspect your property. Read the section of your policy related to duties in the event of loss. This outlines what your obligations are as the holder of the policy, which could include permitting the insurer to conduct an “examination under oath” handing over specific documents and records and, as stated in the above paragraph, allowing time for the insurer to inspect your property.
Does it feel like the winds of Hurricane Irma spinning in your head? Hurricane damage in Fort Lauderdale and throughout southeast Florida can take many months – or years – to rectify and there could be areas of disrepair in your home that go unfixed for months because of a hold-up from your insurance company. Denial of your claim in the aftermath of storm damage or a constant need for more information, which could delay your payout, are among the reasons to consult storm and property damage attorneys in Fort Lauderdale. These skilled and knowledgeable attorneys know how to work with insurers, how to speak their language and how to navigate through the haphazard array of documents and records that need to be organized in order for you to receive the full amount of your claim.
When the last of the tree limbs have been cleared, make sure you have a clean route to getting your home and your life back to where it was before the storm. Don’t go at it alone. Know your rights.
