Hurricane Ian Claims

Discuss Your Options with an Experienced Hurricane Ian Lawyer

Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwestern Florida at Category 4 intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. According to NOAA, Ian was responsible for over 150 direct and indirect deaths and over $112 billion in damage, making it the costliest hurricane in Florida’s history and the third-costliest in United States history. Ian caused catastrophic damage across much of central and northern Florida.

If your home was damaged in the storm and you are still struggling to obtain coverage from your insurance company, a Hurricane Ian lawyer at Struble, P.A. may be able to help. We have helped many Florida homeowners in the wake of Hurricane Ian, and we have seen the damage the storm has caused first-hand. We are committed to helping homeowners hold their insurance companies accountable, and we are prepared to do everything we can to help fight for your claim.

Options if Your Home was Damaged By Hurricane Ian

For homeowners who suffered property damage during Hurricane Ian, their primary option is to file a claim with their insurance company. Homeowner’s insurance and flood insurance both cover damage caused by hurricanes—though each type of policy only applies to damage from certain causes. The insurance companies know that understanding your coverage can be challenging, and, unfortunately, many use this to make the recovery process much more difficult than it should be.

Generally, it is best to file an insurance claim as soon after a hurricane as possible. After Hurricane Ian, many homeowners filed their claims immediately. However, due to the volume of claims, the severity and scope of the damage, and the insurance companies’ practices, many homeowners who filed after the storm are still waiting to obtain coverage today.

If you did not file your claim immediately, it’s not too late. Maybe you were undecided about filing a claim, or maybe you weren’t in Florida at the time of the storm and couldn’t find out about your property’s condition. Whatever the case may be, you still have time to contact an attorney to discuss your rights.

It is important that you hire a Hurricane Ian lawyer to assist you as soon as possible. Homeowners across Florida are facing significant delays and challenges with their insurance claims. At Struble, P.A., we can help make sure your insurance company handles your claim appropriately, and we will rely on our experience to try to help you fight for your claim.

Common Types of Damage Caused by Hurricane Ian

When Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 4 storm, it unleashed 150 mph sustained winds and more than two feet of rain. It also caused a storm surge with inundation up to 15 feet above ground level. As a result, most homes in the storm’s path stood no chance. As the storm approached, significant damage became imminent, and all homeowners could do was wait and see how much damage would be done.

Like other major hurricanes, Hurricane Ian caused four primary types of damage—all of which are generally covered under homeowner’s insurance or flood insurance. We are actively helping homeowners in Florida obtain the coverage for:

• Flood Damage – Flood damage is caused by rising water levels. As the water rises, it penetrates homes through doors, windows, vents, damaged areas and any other means of ingress. As the water level in the home continues to rise, it can not only damage the floors, walls and electrical systems, but its immense weight can also eventually cause the home’s structural supports to fail.
• Water Damage – Along with rising flood waters, rainwater can also cause significant damage during a major storm. Rainwater can enter the home through damaged roofs and broken windows, and it can cause significant damage inside of the walls in addition to damaging the interior of the home.
• Wind Damage – Hurricane Ian’s winds were so strong that they tore the roofs off of many homes and blew some homes off of their foundations. While the wind damage to other homes may not have been as severe, even relatively minor wind damage can make a home uninhabitable and expensive to fix.
• Interior Damage – Sea water, rainwater and wind can completely destroy a home’s interior. They can also destroy homeowners’ personal property—from electronics and appliances to furniture and clothing. After a major storm like Hurricane Ian, mold is a significant concern as well, and if the interior of the home is exposed to the elements, the damage can continue to worsen.

According to recent news reports, of the nearly 750,000 insurance claims filed after Hurricane Ian, the insurance companies have closed almost 200,000 without payment. These reports also indicate that the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) has received numerous complaints from homeowners who believe that their claims have been wrongfully denied. When you hire a Hurricane Ian lawyer at Struble, P.A., your lawyer will work to secure coverage for all of the damage caused by the storm and make sure that your insurance company does not deny your claim unfairly.

What to Do if the Insurance Company Denies Your Claim After a Hurricane

If you filed an insurance claim after Hurricane Ian and the insurance company denied your claim, what should you do? The most important thing not to do is give up hope. Insurance companies unfortunately frequently deny covered homeowners’ claims, and it may still be possible for you to obtain coverage.

To determine what you need to do next, you should discuss your situation with a Hurricane Ian lawyer. Your lawyer may be able to deal with your insurance company directly to reopen your claim, or your lawyer may need to take your insurance company to court. Either way, if your denial was wrongful, you have clear legal rights—and you can assert them effectively with an experienced lawyer on your side.

How a Hurricane Ian Lawyer Can Help

Whether you have been struggling with your insurance company, your insurance company has denied coverage or you still need to file, it may be in your best interests to hire a Hurricane Ian lawyer to help you. The insurance companies routinely dispute homeowner’s claims—especially after major storms that cause billions of dollars in covered losses. When you hire a lawyer at Struble, P.A., your lawyer will:

• Explain the coverage you are entitled to receive under your homeowner’s insurance and/or flood insurance policy;
• Explain what you can (and should) do while your Hurricane Ian insurance claim is pending;
• Deal with the insurance company on your behalf and work to secure coverage as quickly as possible;
• Protect you against bad-faith insurance practices; and,
• If your insurance company refuses to pay what it owes, take your insurance company to court and fight to make sure it is held fully accountable.

FAQs: Obtaining Homeowner’s Insurance or Flood Insurance Coverage for Hurricane Ian

Do I Need to File a Homeowner’s Insurance Claim or a Flood Insurance Claim for Hurricane Ian?

Whether you need to file a homeowner’s insurance claim, flood insurance claim or both for Hurricane Ian depends on the nature of the damage to your home. Many homeowners need to file both types of claims, and, in some cases, the insurance companies are fighting over which type of coverage applies. This is one of the many challenges involved with seeking coverage for Hurricane Ian, and it is one of many areas in which an experienced Hurricane Ian lawyer can help.  

How Long Should It Take to Obtain Insurance Coverage for Hurricane Ian?

It’s difficult to say how long it should take to obtain insurance coverage for Hurricane Ian. Insurance companies have a legal duty to process all claims promptly and in good faith, but with hundreds of thousands of claims pending, obtaining coverage is proving to be a long and difficult process for many. If you feel that your claim is taking too long or your insurance company is dragging its heels, you should speak with a lawyer about your options.

Why Did the Insurance Company Deny My Hurricane Ian Claim?

The insurance companies are denying Hurricane Ian claims for a variety of reasons—some of which are legitimate, and some of which are not. If your insurance company has denied your claim, you should speak with a lawyer regarding your next steps.

What Are My Legal Rights if My Insurance Company Won’t Pay for Damage from Hurricane Ian?

If your insurance company is wrongfully refusing to provide coverage for damage caused by Hurricane Ian, you have the legal right to hold your insurance company accountable. You may also subsequently have the right to seek additional compensation if your insurance company’s actions have met the conditions necessary to file a suit for bad faith.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Handle My Hurricane Ian Claim?

It costs nothing out-of-pocket to hire a lawyer for your Hurricane Ian claim. If the insurance company isn’t liable to pay your legal fees separately, then your legal fees will be deducted from the amount your lawyer helps you recover.

Speak with a Hurricane Ian Lawyer at Struble, P.A.

If you need help dealing with the insurance companies after Hurricane Ian, we encourage you to contact us for more information. Call 321-415-9012 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation today. We present the material contained on our website for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute the rendering of legal advice and does not create any attorney-client relationship. If you need legal or other professional advice, you should consult with legal counsel about your particular facts and circumstances. Call 321-415-9012 or contact us online to see how we may be able to fight for your claim!