After the eye passes: What insurance won’t do

The destruction wrought by a hurricane does not necessarily end with flood waters retreating, often marking just the beginning of a slow and vexing recovery from the storm’s effects. Death and taxes aren’t the only certainties in life, not by a long shot, at least if you’re a resident of Florida who’s filed a claim for hurricane damage and attempted to recover a percentage of your loss following the terms and coverage limits of your insurance policy. Although insurance is supposed to provide protection, the fact is that many homeowners encounter unexpected road bumps in their quest to tap the support they have already paid for.

One of the most confusing aspects of a hurricane claim in Florida is the deductible format. While typical insurance claims come with fixed deductibles, hurricane deductibles are computed as a percentage of the insured value of a home, usually falling between 1% and 5%. That means even moderate damage may not trigger the threshold for reimbursement, leaving homeowners on the hook for substantial out-of-pocket costs.

Another problem is wind-versus flood-damage determinations. Flood-related losses are not covered under typical standard homeowner’s policies; those are covered under a separate flood insurance policy. Insurers can use that difference to deny or cut payouts by arguing that the damage was triggered by flooding instead of wind, even though the two happened at the same time.

Timing is also critical. Under Florida law, homeowners have three years in which to file a claim for hurricane damage, although insurers must respond within specific deadlines — 14 days to acknowledge the claim and 90 days to issue a ruling. Any further delay in documentation or communicating the results will seriously compromise the results.

To build up your case, document everything: Take photos, hold onto receipts and keep a careful log of all interactions with your insurer. Other homeowners seek the services of public adjusters, who are licensed by the state to represent them in claims negotiations, or attorneys to make sure a hurricane damage claim in Florida is handled fairly and fully.

To know more about Public adjuster in Florida, please visit our website: globalclaims.net.