If you’ve lived in Florida for any length of time, you know the devastation a hurricane can cause and how important preparedness is to protect your home and/or business and to make sure your family comes through the hurricane safely. As soon as the hurricane has passed, you will have to file an insurance claim for any property damage promptly. It is important to have a storm damage claim attorney to support you through the process so you will receive the full amount of compensation you’re entitled to. The Law Office of William J. Roe, P.A., with offices in Aventura and Winter Haven, is ready to serve your needs by being part of your hurricane readiness plan.
Filing A Hurricane Property Damage Claim
Our storm damage attorneys are well-schooled in dealing with the complexities of insurance law, particularly the exclusions and restrictions of property damage insurance policies. It is a good idea to contact us before a hurricane during your hurricane readiness planning so that you fully understand the preparations you have to make to protect your property from potential danger and to ensure that you have sufficient insurance coverage.
We have extensive experience handling hurricane damage claims. We have the knowledge and negotiation skills to help you recover the financial resources you need to restore your property after a hurricane, and the strength to fight for you if your claim is questioned or denied.
Hurricane Readiness Planning
Hurricane readiness should begin early, even before the season begins, by taking measures to minimize possible damage.
Protecting Your Property
Pruning trees so that they have a better chance of weathering high winds, investing in strong storm shutters (if you don’t already have them), protecting your swimming pool, and figuring out where lawn furniture, grills, and other outdoor equipment can be safely stored are steps you will be glad you have taken. It is also a good idea to have a plan in place about where you can stay if your family is forced to evacuate the area. Find out which buildings are typically used as shelters in your area and which take pets, if that is a concern for your family. If you are financially able to purchase a generator, this is an investment you will be glad you made. Living boarded up without air-conditioning, lighting, and appliances for an extended period is likely to be more uncomfortable than you realize.
Purchasing Necessary Supplies for the Duration
Fortunately, we now live in a time when meteorologists can predict with some degree of accuracy when and where hurricanes will hit, giving us a chance to prepare when a hurricane is threatening our homes or businesses.
When there is reportage of coming danger, you should stockpile enough food (including pet food) and water for a week, any necessary medications, a battery-operated radio, flashlights, extra batteries, cash, and first-aid supplies. In other words, you should buy sufficient supplies to hunker down for longer than you expect to need them. Doing this ahead of time will give you an edge over those who wait until the wind and rain are beginning and the local store shelves are nearly empty. It is also a good idea to think about which room in your home will be the safest if the worst happens and your home is directly hit. If you have sufficient funds, you may even consider installing a FEMA safe room in your home.
As the Hurricane Closes In
Do everything you can to maintain communication with the outside world because you may come to depend on outsiders for help if the hurricane becomes catastrophic. Also preplan how you will communicate with your loved ones; for example, settle on a person out of the region you can contact if you can’t contact one another by phone, text or email. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio will also provide emergency alerts. Watching TV for weather reports is very helpful, but not once your power goes out.
Flooding Presents the Most Common Danger
Even if you have never had serious flooding, be prepared to deal with flash flooding, which has that name for a reason. Never walk, swim or drive through floodwaters; doing so may very well put your life at risk. Become familiar with your evacuation zone, the evacuation route, and shelter locations and leave the area as soon as you are told to do so.
Remember, serious flooding results from storm surge as well as from heavy rain. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States. Storm surge destabilizes structures and foundations (water weighs about 1,700 pounds per cubic yard!), so enormous waves can destroy not only coastal areas but move inland quickly. Since neither homeowners’ or renters’ insurance usually cover flood damage, make sure you have flood coverage just in case.
After the Storm, Contact the Law Office of William J. Roe
No matter how well prepared you are for a hurricane, there may be unpleasant surprises in terms of serious damage to your home or place of business. In addition to remembering to be grateful if no one you love is physically injured, call the Law Office of William J. Roe for help with your insurance claim. Whether you have damage due to wind, water, or fire from downed wires, we will fight hard to ensure that you receive the money you need to salvage, repair, repurchase or rebuild. Whether your home, roof, garage, other structures on your property, furnishings, appliances, cars or other vehicles have been damaged or destroyed, our highly competent hurricane damage claims attorneys are here to help. Be prepared to contact one of our offices to get compassionate assistance when you need it the most.