Losing a house in a storm can be heartbreaking, but being denied compensation that’s devastating. Unfortunately, this happens a lot to homeowners after a hurricane in Florida.
Hurricane Ian is the most recent hurricane to hit Florida. It was a Category 4 storm that caused widespread damage throughout the state. Tens of thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed by the storm, and many people lost everything they owned.
If your insurance company is difficult, you will need to file a lawsuit to recover everything the hurricane destroyed. Hiring a lawyer is one of the best ways to handle your situation and make things easier. They will help you read the fine print of the cover you took and help you get compensation. Click here for more information.
So, How do you find the best Florida hurricane lawyer? Here’s guideline to help you.
What to Look for When Hiring the Best Hurricane Damage Lawyer?
If you want to hire the best property damage attorney, there are three vital factors to consider in a lawyer.
1. Skill
You’ll need a qualified lawyer who knows the ropes of hurricane damage policies and who can do the following:
- Estimate the damage caused
- Advise you on the legal options you have
- Determine the amount of compensation you can get and can
- Assess the insurance process and fight for a fair settlement.
Dealing with some insurance companies can be frustrating. You can receive an underpayment, or they can deny paying for the claim entirely. However, with a skilled lawyer on your side, you can have a head-to-head engagement with the insurer in case such cases occur.
Therefore, you should never rush with your decision. This is not the case where you can simply hire the first attorney you find. This expert must be experienced in similar cases so he can prepare properly for yours.
2. Willingness to Go the Extra Mile
Insurance companies are there for profit, and it’s possible to receive an underpayment if you’re in such a situation; looking for a lawyer ready to go the extra mile to push for reasonable compensation is vital.
Here are some tips on how to identify a willing lawyer;
- Seek recommendations from people who have been in a similar situation.
- Read the clients’ reviews from the lawyer’s website. They will help in making a better judgment about an attorney.
It is crucial to pay attention to details. Missing a single paper can lead to issues in case when you are requesting a coverage. The lawyer is there is there to help you collect all of the necessary documents and fill them for the accurate amount of coverage.
3. Experience
Find a law firm that has successfully handled hurricane damages in the past and therefore has the experience to defend your claim. Keep in mind that there are experts who often focus on one part of the law.
However, some of them might decide to accept the case even though they never dealt with something similar in their career. That can be a huge mistake.
Do I Need A Lawyer to File A Hurricane Claim?
No. You do not necessarily need to hire a lawyer to file a hurricane damage claim. You can do it on your own.
Take pictures or a video of the damaged property, write down a list of all the items destroyed and attach it to your claim, and the insurance company will take it from there.
However, you may need a lawyer if your insurers deny your claim or they won’t give a full payment for your lost property. They will help you file a lawsuit to defend your rights and speak to the insurance company on your behalf.
Also, to add, hurricane claims are pretty slow, and the process involves a lot of intricacies. Therefore, having a lawyer to stand for you can give you time to heal from the hurricane traumas and care for your loved ones.
Taking insurance cover against a hurricane is a wise decision, especially because you are a resident of Florida. Unfortunately, some companies might make it hard to pay for your claim after damages. Our experienced and highly skilled professional team is ready to walk with you until you get your rightful compensation.
What is the Best Solution?
As we already mentioned, dealing with these agencies can be challenging when you are trying to get the right coverage for the damage made to your property. If you live in a place like Florida, having a good policy is necessary due to increased risks of hurricanes. When it occurs, it is important to collect all details about the damage made and provide it to your agency for the coverage. In most cases, this is not a complicated process.
The agency will send an expert on the field to assure that your report is accurate. However, if there are problems where they don’t want to provide you with the requested amount, the only remaining solution is to hire an expert and get the case to the court. Finding an experienced lawyer is a great solution.
On the other hand, there might be an even better option, which is the public adjuster, which represents a highly skilled person experienced in determining the damage made on property by natural disasters.
It is important to know that this person is licensed and that it is considered reliable. Also, the report provided by the adjuster will be held as accurate in the court. When it comes to the price, it is around 10% from the total coverage you get.
The services that this person is offering are negotiating in your name, analysis of the report provided by the agency, and assisting in proving that the agency is wrong in case that they are trying to lower the amount you are asking for.
The main advantage is that you will pay less for this type of assistance when compared to lawyers. However, you have to be sure that it represents an independent agency without any collaboration with the insurance companies, which can be the case.
In that matter, be sure to check the experience of other people before you hire one. Also, some of them are more expensive, and they could ask for over 20% of the total coverage, which is never a good option.
Last Words
As you can see, hiring an expert is the only way to deal with an agency when it is trying to decrease the requested value for the coverage. In that matter, be sure to determine the right solution whether it is an experienced lawyer or licensed adjuster.
