Storm Damage Lawyer Serving Florida

Floridians are no strangers to property damage from fierce storms. When winds, hail, and hurricanes unleash their wrath, homeowners question whether their property insurance will cover the damage left in the storm’s wake. With over a decade of experience representing your friends and neighbors, a storm damage lawyer at EC Law Counsel is here to help file your claim and see it through to the end. Call us today at 954-861-0833, and put your worries to rest.

We Can Help Determine What Type of Storm Damage Your Policy Covers

Home property insurance policies differ. To help you determine what your policy covers, one of our insurance claim lawyers will review your policy with you. The legalese might be confusing, but we have years of experience reading insurance policies to determine what’s covered, and we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Most homeowners’ policies cover property damage resulting from the following types of damage:

  • Wind damage
  • Hurricane damage
  • Hailstorm damage
  • Lightning and fire damage

When you need to file a damage insurance claim with your property insurance company, we can help. If your insurer denied your claim, our skilled attorneys at EC Law Counsel are here for you.

Types of Storms Covered by Insurance

In Florida, storm damage insurance typically covers a variety of severe weather events, including:

  1. Hurricanes: Coverage often includes wind-related damage, though flood damage may require a separate flood insurance policy.
  2. Tropical Storms: Similar to hurricanes, these are generally covered under property insurance policies with windstorm provisions.
  3. Tornadoes: Tornado damage is usually included under windstorm coverage in standard homeowners’ insurance, but deductibles and limits may vary.
  4. Hailstorms: Damage from hail is often covered under windstorm provisions, though some policies may have separate deductibles for hail damage.
  5. Windstorms/Thunderstorms: These are typically covered if the policy includes wind coverage, which may also address related damages such as lightning strikes.

Property owners should review their specific policy for exclusions, deductibles, and coverage limits to ensure comprehensive protection.

What’s the Difference Between Homeowner’s Insurance and Storm Damage Insurance?

The key differences between homeowner’s insurance and storm damage insurance lie in their scope and focus:

  • Homeowner’s Insurance:
    • Provides broad coverage for your home and personal belongings against various risks, including fire, theft, and certain types of storm damage (e.g., wind, hail, and lightning).
    • Typically excludes specific perils, such as floods and earthquakes, which require separate policies.
    • May include coverage for water damage caused by internal issues (e.g., burst pipes) but not external flooding.
  • Storm Damage Insurance:
    • Focuses specifically on damages caused by severe weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and hailstorms.
    • Often supplements homeowner’s insurance by covering gaps, such as windstorm or flood damage, especially in high-risk areas.
    • May have separate deductibles or higher premiums for certain storm-related risks.

Understanding your policy details and exclusions is crucial to ensure comprehensive protection.

Benefits of Having a Lawyer File Your Claim

There are several advantages to engaging our insurance claims lawyers before filing your claim. One of our insurance claim attorneys will handle the claims process for you, including the following:

  • Policy review to confirm coverage
  • Investigate your damages
  • Seek professional estimates from storm damage restoration companies
  • File your insurance claim on time
  • Negotiate with your insurer

After experiencing damage to your home from a storm, the last thing you need to worry about is arguing with your insurer. Instead, allow an experienced storm damage attorney at EC Law Counsel to guide you through the process.

Insurance Companies May Deny Claims, But You Can Fight Back

If your insurer denied your storm damage claim, we could help. First, our damage claims lawyers will review your case to see if your insurer is acting in bad faith.

There are several reasons insurance companies deny a claim, particularly storm damage claims, including failure to pay your premiums, a delay in filing the claim, or insufficient proof that the storm caused the damage.

However, insurance companies may wrongfully deny claims for several reasons:

  • Lack of Coverage: Your insurer may improperly conclude that your policy excludes coverage for the damage you suffered. If the insurance company believes that the damage was caused by a type of damage that is excluded from the policy, they may deny the claim.
  • Wear and Tear: Your insurer may decide that you failed to maintain your home properly and that the damage resulted from your negligence, not storm damage.
  • Pre-Existing: Your insurance company may improperly conclude that the damage you claim was caused by the storm, existed prior to the storm event.
  • Low-ball offers: Insurance companies may offer low-ball settlements, which are lower than the actual value of the claim. If the policyholder accepts the settlement, they may be forfeiting their right to pursue additional compensation.

Contact a Storm Damage Attorney at EC Law Counsel

EC Law Counsel has represented clients in southeast and southwest Florida in insurance claims for more than a decade. We will fight to protect your interests, not the insurance company’s. Call us at 954-861-0833, and speak to an experienced storm damage lawyer today.