Are You Experiencing Hurricane or Wind Damage?
Your Property Damage Claims
If your property or home is damaged by hurricane damage or wind damage you are like many millions of Floridians. Wind damage insurance claims are one of the most common claims in Florida.
Wind damage events are a common occurrence affecting the building envelope of your property in a variety of ways. Wind events, such as hurricanes and topical storms, can cause a great deal of damage to your home or property. In order to maximize your settlement from an insurance company, it is important to understand your insurance policy, the coverages you have, and the types of damage these events can cause.
Before placing a Hurricane claim or wind damage claim make sure you have done your homework. The insurance company will send their adjuster loaded with questions. Being prepared with a strong claim is critical to success.
Get Your Free Claim Assessment
Take the first step toward fair compensation by contacting us today. Fill out this simple form for a no-obligation consultation to discuss your property damage claim and discover how DKPA can help maximize your settlement.
Signs of Hurricane or Wind Damage?
Window Leaks
high winds can break the seals on the window frames. Even very small amount of damage can allow water to enter the windows and into the walls. If you see small amounts of water stains around the window sills this is a sign you might have wind damage.
Damaged Roof Tiles
A broken tile or shingle on your roof could be the result of hurricane damage or severe windstorm damage. If you have recently noticed broken tiles or can see lifted shingles on your roof you should get it inspected for wind damage.
Interior Water Leaks
Water leaks inside your home are a possible sign that your roof has sustained hurricane damage or wind damage. Water can slowly work its way through the layers causing damage until leaks show up inside the property. If you suspect that your home has been damaged by a hurricane or severe windstorm you should get it inspected.
Broken Trees or Branches
After a windy day or a hurricane, taking a brief visual survey of your property and neighborhood is a good idea. Debris from trees can dent and damage garage doors and fences, or break windows or doors. Trees may also fall onto your roof damaging the roofing material and potentially cause leaks.
Is my hurricane damage or wind covered by my insurance company?
Wind damage and hurricane damage to your property are usually covered by insurance. However it is important to keep in mind that insurance companies highly scrutinize these claims.
Identifying the wind events that caused the property’s damages and what damages they caused is the most difficult part of wind damage and hurricane damage claims. The majority of homes in Florida have been subjected to several wind storms over time, resulting in damage. A Public Insurance Adjuster can assist you in determining if your home was damaged by wind and whether your policy covers it.
Sources of Wind Damage
01. Hurricane
Categorized as winds above 74mph the Sunshine State is no stranger to hurricanes and the damage they can cause. With the increase of temperatures, these much more frequent events cause damage to roofs, windows, doors, and siding allowing water to enter the home and cause a variety of damage. If your property has experienced a hurricane, you should have it inspected whether or not you see the damage. While your policy entitles you to report damage up to two years later it’s best to not wait and your claim will be the strongest when it timely reported.
02. Tropical Storm
A tropical storm is a type of low-pressure system that forms over tropical waters. The wind speeds are less than a hurricane storm but strong enough to cause damage. These storms are often accompanied by heavy rains, winds, and thunderstorms. Tropical storms can cause a great deal of damage to homes and businesses. If you have been affected by a tropical storm it’s important to have your property inspected to identify any damage that might have occurred.
03. Wind Events
Much like hurricanes and tropical storms, Florida properties experience mini wind storms frequently. While they might not get the attention of stronger storms they can cause damage just the same. If your property shows signs of damage a Public Insurance Adjuster can investigate further into whether a claim is possible.
04. Tornado
Tornadoes are a separate type of event that can cause damage to a property or home. The insurance claim process for tornado damage is similar to that for hurricane or windstorm damage, but there may be some specific considerations to keep in mind. For example, if you have a tornado-deductible on your policy, you will need to pay that amount out of pocket before the insurer will reimburse you for any further damage. Tornadoes can cause a wide range of damage to a home, including roof damage, window and door damage, and damage to the structure of the home. They can also cause extensive damage to outdoor items such as sheds, garages, and fences.
Damages You Can Receive Compensation For
Roof Repair
Gutters
Screen Enclosures
Fences
Trees and Landscaping
Windows
Garage Doors
Interior Water Leaks
Are you getting the most out of your Claim?
A public adjuster can help you determine if your property has been damaged by wind or a storm surge and what might be covered. A complete inspection of the property, its repairs and claim history, and a review of the policy are necessary to identify and build a strong case for a wind or tropical cyclone damage claim.
Wind damage and hurricane damage claims often require experts and competency in Florida insurance statutes and county building codes. A public insurance adjuster can bring on the proper team to document and build a strong claim for payment. If experts in severe storms, weather, engineering, or general contracting are needed to construct the claim, working with those experts can often mean the difference between a successful and bad claim.
If you have been affected by tropical cyclones, a hurricane, or a windstorm, contact a public adjuster to help you with your insurance claim. They will work to get you the best possible settlement so that you can repair or rebuild your home.
Commonly asked questions
A. Often times it can take months or even year after a wind damage or hurricane damage event for water to work through the layers of your roof and show up inside the property. Getting an inspection of your roof and interior can help determine what damages the insurance company is responsible to compensate you for.
A. The insurance company is required by Florida law to investigate and respond to your wind damage or hurricane damage claim within 90 days. Responding to the claim simply means they have to confirm whether or not the agree to cover the claim and release an initial payment. Wind damage and hurricane damage often take some time in order to maximize the settlement. Working with a Public Insurance Adjuster will increase your chances of a speedy resolution.
A. If you have your property inspected first by a Public Insurance Adjuster the chances of a successful claim are very good. Having a skilled and experienced adjuster who has inspected your property and determined you have a good claim increase your chances significantly. Your chances increase if you report the claim shortly after the wind event and document any damages. Leaks, roof repairs, etc are all very helpful.
A. Yes, a property owner can file a hurricane or wind damage claim without a public insurance adjuster. However, public insurance adjusters are experts in the claims process and can help property owners maximize their settlement. They can help gather evidence of damage, negotiate with the insurance company, and ensure that the claim is processed properly. For this reason, many property owners choose to work with a public insurance adjuster when filing a hurricane or wind damage claim.
A. If your insurance company has denied your claim, a public adjuster can help. Public adjusters are professionals who work on behalf of homeowners to negotiate with insurance companies and get the best settlement possible. They typically charge a percentage of the final settlement amount, so it is important to factor this cost into your decision-making process.
A. If you feel that your insurance company has underpaid your hurricane or wind damage claim, there are several things you can do. You can appeal the decision, file a complaint with the state insurance department, or hire a public adjuster to help you negotiate a better settlement. A free review of your claim by a Public Insurance Adjuster will tell you a lot about the opportunity.
A. A tropical storm can cause a great deal of damage to a property. Some of the most common types of damage include roof damage, water damage, and wind damage.
If your home is damaged by a tropical storm, you will likely need to file an insurance claim. Homeowner’s insurance policies typically cover damage from these types of events, but there are some important things to know about the claims process. Contacting a Public Insurance Adjuster to inspect your home, review your policy, and inform you of your likelihood of success is always a good idea.