Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida causing significant loss of life and property damage throughout Lee County & Collier County all the way up to Duval County, from Cayo Costa to Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, from Fort Myers to Naples and Sanibel Island. From Orlando to Jacksonville. Many residents have lost their homes and personal property, while others returned to find badly damaged roofs, walls, and interior water damage. Now is the time to contact the dedicated hurricane damage attorneys at VCM Law Group.
While homeowner’s insurance covers property and business losses, flood damage requires additional coverage. Sorting through the details of your coverage while trying to piece your life back together is an ordeal. Let our legal team do the heavy lifting with the insurance companies so you can focus on the tasks at hand. Contact our office today to learn how we can help – all at no cost to you.
Property Damage Caused By Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian was a Category 4 storm with sustained wind speeds of 150 mph, the fifth-strongest hurricane to make landfall in the United States, causing widespread destruction throughout Southwest Florida. If your home or business was in the hurricane’s path, it likely sustained significant damage, such as:
- Roof damage
- Structural damage to foundations, walls, and ceilings
- Flood and water damage (including mold)
- Damage to personal property – furniture, appliances, electronics, clothes, jewelry
- Damage to boats, cars, and other vehicles
- Though you may be overwhelmed at the moment, take immediate action such as:
- Photographing all damage to your home or building
- Inventorying all damaged property and personal items
- Filing an insurance claim
Your insurance company may try to deny your claim if you fail to take these steps. But our Hurricane Ian damage attorneys are here to protect your rights and help you get the coverage you paid for and deserve. At VCM Law Group, we regularly handle all types of hurricane damage claims, including:
- Homeowner’s insurance claims
- Commercial property insurance claims
- Flood damage claims
Working with experienced attorneys can mean the difference between having your hurricane insurance claim denied and getting the full value of your claim so you can rebuild your home or business.
Hurricane Ian Also Caused Massive Flooding Throughout the State
Hurricane Ian brought well over 12 inches of rain to parts of the state, including Central Florida, as well as an unprecedented storm surge onto the barrier islands of Southwest Florida of 8 to 15 feet that pushed into Downtown Fort Myers, destroying homes, boats, cars, and everything in its path. The storm also caused wind and water damage to properties from Tampa to Orlando.
If your home is badly damaged or uninhabitable, you will need funds to cover a hotel or apartment rental and replace clothing, medications, toiletries, school supplies, and other personal effects. There’s also the cost of extensive cleanup, including structural, plumbing, and electrical repairs and potential mold damage.
What if your business has been damaged or destroyed? How will you cover expenses such as renting a temporary location or storage space, replacing inventory, office equipment, and supplies, and cleanup costs?
Is My Property Covered For Wind, Flood, and Water Damage Caused By Hurricane Ian?
While many Floridians carry homeowners and flood insurance, collecting the settlement owed to you after this disaster will be challenging. Your insurance company may attempt to delay or deny your claim for one of the following reasons:
Damage Is Excluded Under Your Policy
Residents along the coasts and in low-lying areas of Southwest Florida must obtain separate flood insurance; however, property outside those areas, such as in Orange County, may have sustained flood damage not covered by homeowners or hurricane insurance.
Pre-existing Damage
The insurance company may argue that your property had pre-existing damage before Hurricane Ian, which resulted in further damage.
Failure To Secure Your Property
Once an insurance adjuster shows up, they may determine that Hurricane Ian caused property damage but that you failed to act to prevent further damage, such as by not placing a tarp on a damaged roof to avoid water damage from rainfall.
To make matters worse, the property insurance system has long been under stress from previous storms. Some insurance companies stopped offering coverage in Florida, while other smaller insurance carriers have gone bankrupt. Because state lawmakers keep kicking the can down the road on property insurance reforms, it takes an experienced hurricane damage attorney to protect your rights and interests.
How VCM Law Group Can Help With Your Hurricane Ian Damage Claim
We know how to fight back against insurance companies that put profits ahead of people. Insurers may think they have the upper hand, but we will leverage our legal skills and experience to level the playing field. You can trust our hurricane damage attorneys to:
- Review your policy and extended coverage options
- Perform a comprehensive damage estimate
- Demand the maximum coverage for your losses
- Dispute a claim denial or underpayment
We work to negotiate settlements with insurance companies, but we will take your case to trial if the insurer refuses to honor your Hurricane Ian damage claim.
Contact Our Dedicated Hurricane Ian Damage Attorneys Today
At VCM Law Group, you can trust our legal team to protect your rights and help you start the rebuilding process. We have the skills and determination to go toe-to-toe with insurance companies and get you every dollar you deserve. Contact our office today so we can start working on your Hurricane Ian damage claim.