5 Tips to Maximize Your Hurricane Insurance Claim Settlement in Florida
The State of Florida is no stranger to hurricanes that leave behind a path of destruction. Catastrophic storm surges and extreme winds and flooding can cause millions or billions of dollars in property damage.
If you are a homeowner who has suffered extensive property damage due to a hurricane, there are things you can do to maximize your settlement when pursuing a hurricane insurance claim.
How to Maximize Your Hurricane Insurance Claim Settlement?
If you suffered the destructive power of a hurricane in Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, or other parts of Florida, follow these five tips to maximize your settlement when filing a hurricane claim with your insurance company:
- Notify your insurer. The first thing you should do is contact your insurance company to inform them of the property damage as a result of a hurricane. Inform them of the damages you have suffered, and do not forget to keep a copy of a written notice. Failure to notify your insurer within a reasonable amount of time could lead to a denial of your hurricane insurance claim.
- Know what is and isn’t covered under your policy. If you suffered property damage as a result of a hurricane, it is vital to understand what damages are covered under your policy. It is advised to contact an experienced insurance attorney to help you review your policy and determine what damages are recoverable.
- Document your property damage and collect evidence. The success of your hurricane insurance claim depends on the strength of your case and your evidence. For this reason, you could benefit from hiring a Tampa insurance attorney to help you gather evidence to support your claim.
- Mitigate property damage. While documenting property damage is important, it is equally important to mitigate your damages. It means that you must take all reasonable steps to prevent any further damages from occurring. Failure to take reasonable steps to mitigate property damages could result in the denial of your claim.
- Document every communication with your insurer. You can also maximize your settlement by documenting every communication with the insurance company. Keep a diary or notebook to take notes on every interaction and conversation with your insurer.
What to Do if the Insurance Company Acts in Bad Faith?
If you believe that your insurance company acts in bad faith when handling your hurricane insurance claim, do not hesitate to contact an insurance bad faith attorney to fight back and protect your legal rights.
An insurance company may be acting in bad faith if they fail to uphold a duty to a policyholder by attempting to delay, undervalue, or deny a hurricane insurance claim. A hurricane can be a serious event that can jeopardize people’s homes and commercial properties. The last thing you need is an insurance company engaging in unfair business practices, denying your claim, or paying you as little as possible.
Speak with a Tampa insurance bad faith attorney if you believe that your insurer is treating your claim unfairly. Contact our lawyers at HD Law Partners by calling at 813-964-7878 if you live in Tampa or 888-267-5651 if you live in Orlando.
