Hurricane Claim?

If you have lived in Florida for any period of time, you are no stranger to the destruction and damages that hurricanes can bring. Not only do they threaten the lives of you and your family, but they can also result in a significant amount of property damage, which often adds up to tens of thousands of dollars or more. When a hurricane hits, many different forms of damages can occur. Signs of the damages can include:

• Water damage: This is one of the biggest threats from a hurricane. Although the winds can be devastating, the resulting water damages from the wind can damage everything from the building materials to the contents. Significant amounts of water damage can be hidden from plain view and only detailed expert investigations will reveal the true extent and cost of the damages.
• Roof damage: One of the first and major signs of hurricane damage is damage to the roof. Roof damage can be hidden and may not appear apparent at first glance. The more severe the hurricane winds, the more likely that your roof will be damaged. Roof damage can manifest itself many months after a hurricane. Roof damage inspections should not only include the outside of the roof but also the inside and underside of the roof for a full evaluation.
• Window and door damage: Windows and doors can also twist and move from hurricane force winds. This damage is easily noticeable if glass is broken. However, windows and doors can suffer damages when the seals fail or the frames are compromised, which may not be noticeable at first. Once these damages occur, water can enter causing additional damage that might be hidden from view until the windows and doors are repaired.
• Mold damage: Mold is one of the most serious results of water damage from a hurricane. Mold can grow within 24 to 48 hours after water damage occurs. It can keep growing until the situation is correct and proper repairs are completed. When your walls are exposed to water after a storm, you may notice some discoloration or residue on the walls. These can be signs of mold or mildew growth due to water seeping through the walls. Many times these damages are hidden from view and will only be located through expert investigation, testing and laboratory analysis.
• Wind damage: Strong winds can do a lot of damage to your home. Wind can be strong enough to lift the edges of your roof and tear away shingles or rip off your gutters. Wind can also pick up large debris like patio furniture and branches and project them into your home’s siding, windows and roof. This debris can cause extensive damage and require siding or roof replacement. If you have large trees that overhang your house, it might be a good idea to trim back branches or get the tree assessed to prevent it from falling due to high winds.

Have you suffered from any of the above types of damage from Hurricane Ian? If so, feel free to contact us today for a free consultation and free inspection. We’ll be happy to walk you through the process and your options for obtaining full compensation for your Hurricane Ian property damage claim.

1. File a claim with your insurance company.
2. Take photos of any damage to the interior and exterior of your home.
3. Compare new photos with those taken before the storm.
4. Have a contractor, or damage expert assess the property.
5. Understand your insurance policy and what is and isn’t covered.
6. Contact an experienced hurricane damage attorney if your insurer is delaying, denying or underpaying your claim.

The coverage of your insurance policy for hurricane damage depends on the type of damage incurred. Many homeowners and commercial policies exclude flood damage. Some policyholders purchase different policies for wind damage and flood damage. Each policy contains a different set of coverage terms and conditions.

Oftentimes, no. Policies will include wind damage and in some cases, water damage. Damage from flooding is typically excluded from most hurricane policies. Policyholders will need to obtain flood damage coverage through an authorized private carrier or public entities like the National Flood Insurance Program or 

An insurance policy will set out the coverage limits, which is the maximum amount of money an insurance company will pay for a covered claim. There may also be time limits within which you have to file a claim for damages or take certain action like filing proof of losses or asking for replacement cost coverage payments under your insurance policy. Having an expert hurricane insurance claim attorney assist you can help ensure that you do not miss the time limits and that you recover the full amount you are entitled to under your policy limits.

RCV and ACV are terms used in insurance to indicate the different ways in which a policyholder’s losses can be valued.

RCV represents the cost of replacing or repairing damaged property with new items of similar quality, without considering any depreciation. In other words, the cost of replacing the item with the same or similar item brand new.

ACV represents the cost of replacing or repairing damaged property, less depreciation. In other words, the cost of replacing the item, minus the amount of wear and tear that the item had sustained before the loss.

The main difference between RCV and ACV is that RCV pays out the full cost of replacement, while ACV pays out the cost of replcament minus depreciation.

Many Florida insurance policies require that an insured give notice to their insurance company within 180 days that they are seeking the RCV.

Yes, every potential client talks to an actual attorney at Murray Law Group as part of the free initial consultation process. We have experienced hurricane insurance claim attorneys ready to talk to you the same day you contact our office.