Wind Damage Attorneys in Florida
Wind damage claims in Florida frequently occur due to hurricane winds, but high winds aren’t exclusive to hurricanes.
High winds, regardless of their source, can cause severe damage to all types of property and can have a cascading effect in many situations. Wind may knock over a tree that lands on your vehicle or onto your home, breaking a hole in your roof and allowing in wind-driven rain that then damages your home’s interior. It can also propel debris into windows or knock over fences.
That same debris can put gashes in your shingles, damage the felt underlayment and rip up the deck of your roof.
Your homeowners coverage may not cover some types of hurricane flood damage, but it should cover water damage that occurred due to wind damage, such as a scenario where wind damaged your roof and allowed water to penetrate your home.
The extent of your wind damage may not be fully determined in the immediate aftermath of a storm. It’s not uncommon for damage to go unnoticed for months or even years and then suddenly you have leaks in your roof.
Some types of wind damage can also cause your roof to lose an excessive volume of granules, cutting down the useful life of your roof.
Your roof isn’t the only part of your home that can be damaged by wind during a hurricane or storm. Wind can blow down fences or uproot trees and knock them into your home or onto your vehicle.
Request a FREE Consultation
We’re available 24/7 and will respond promptly to any inquiry.
Be Wary of Insurance Coverage Loopholes
One of the ways insurance companies insulate themselves from having to pay out massive claims is putting complex language and long lists of excluded perils, or damage types, into their policies. It’s recommended you carefully review your policy to ensure your home isn’t being left vulnerable by coverage loopholes that could be used to avoid having to pay your claim.
Prepare Before a Storm
Take pictures of the exterior of your home if you know it’s in the path of an oncoming hurricane or tropical storm. Once the storm has passed make sure to take pictures of any damage that may have occurred.
Having a set of before and after images is one of the strongest pieces of evidence you can bring into negotiation with the insurance company on your wind damage claim. It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to try to get out of paying your claim by suggesting the damage your home suffered was unrelated to the storm, but before and after images are irrefutable evidence.
Make Repairs and Keep Receipts
After your home or business has suffered wind damage it’s important to make temporary repairs as best you can once it is safe to do so. The insurance company won’t cover damage that could have been preventable if you had taken these steps, so it’s important to do what you can to prevent any additional damage after the initial hurricane or tropical storm.
You can also be compensated for your preventative self-repair costs in many cases if you keep your receipts.
Committed to Maximizing Your Wind Damage Claim Payment
The attorneys at Kanner & Pintaluga have handled many property damage cases relating to hurricane and storms. We understand how the insurance companies think and are familiar with their strategies as well as the mistakes their claims adjusters can make.
In addition to being exceptionally familiar with hurricane property damage cases, we also work with experts such as contractors and independent insurance claims adjusters to ensure we can find the evidence necessary to get your claim honored.
If you have a wind damage claim that’s being denied or underpaid, contact Kanner & Pintaluga at 800-586-5555 for a free case evaluation.