Help for Home and Business Owners Making Hurricane Ian Claims

Hurricane Ian hit Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, leaving devastation in its wake. Millions of people are without power at this time, as Ian’s 150mph winds swept over the southwest part of the state. Even property owners who were not in the direct path of the storm have suffered unimaginable losses.

If you own a home or business that was affected by Hurricane Ian, Yeboah Law Group wants to help. Our attorneys represent policyholders throughout Florida who need assistance with their hurricane claims. The costs of this storm will be in the billions, if not more – and insurance companies are already gearing up to keep their profits despite your losses. Don’t let them. Call us today so we can get started on a plan for you.

What kinds of claims are common in Florida hurricanes?

Hurricanes are typically comprised of two extraordinarily damaging elements: water and wind. Sometimes, hurricanes cause tornados and lightning, too, which means adding electricity into the mix. We point this out because the damage you sustain is likely caused by both, if not all three, elements. Typical home and business owner claims involve:

• Water damage, including burst pipes, submersion from surges, and flooding (more on this in a bit)
• Mold damage, as water seeps into porous materials like Sheetrock and wood
• Structural damage, including cracks in the foundation or concrete slabs, or destruction of pilings under elevated homes
• Non-structural damage, including cracked or missing roofing tiles, bricks, stucco, shutters, and windows
• Electrical-related damage, including damaged wiring and damage from electrical fires (smoke, ash)
• Landscaping damage, such as uprooted trees and shrubs, missing decorative rock and stone, or damaged fencing
• Business interruption, including loss of property and materials, ingress and egress complications, and loss of productivity because of power outages and blocked roads

This type of damage should be covered by your insurance policy, provided you have hurricane coverage.

A quick note about flood damage

Hurricane Ian caused storm surges. Storm surges cause floods. And if you live in an area where flooding is common, but flood insurance is not possible to buy, you are in for the fight of your life.

Based on our experience, flooding is probably the #1 reason claims get denied. Your insurance company is going to try to say that the damage you sustain is flood-related, even though that flood was caused by Hurricane Ian. Yeboah Law Group will not allow your rightful insurance claims to be cast aside because your insurer wants to keep its money. Call our insurance dispute attorneys if you are getting the runaround.

What should I do to help my Hurricane Ian claim?

Partnering with an experienced attorney is a great step to protecting yourself because the insurance company knows you mean business. But there are other things you can do to help your claim:

1. Gather up all your documentation – insurance policies, mortgages, warranties, etc – and put them together somewhere safe. You should make copies of these valuable documents, too, in case the originals are damaged. Include any receipts for hotel stays, food, or other purchases you had to make in order to be safe.
2. Take photos and videos of your property, especially of the foundations. Broken windows and missing roof tiles are easy to see (as are downed trees) but foundational cracks can be easy to miss. Take as much photographic and video evidence of your property as you can. Bring us pictures of your home before the hurricane, too, so we can get a full picture of the damage.
3. Create a list of all your damaged items (called “contents”) like appliances, clothing, furniture, and so forth. You can be reimbursed for these contents losses.

How long do I have to file a claim for Hurricane Ian?

Generally, you have three years to file a hurricane claim in Florida. One thing to note is that if you do open a claim and then discover additional damage caused by the storm later, Florida allows you to file a supplemental claim or reopen a closed claim within the same time period.

If your claim is denied, however, or your losses are assessed inadequately, you can file a lawsuit alleging breach of contract for up to five years.

How can Yeboah Law Group help with Hurricane Ian claims?

The full extent of Hurricane Ian’s damage is not yet known, and it make take several months before it is. But YOU don’t have to wait that long. Millions of residents are going to be filing claims; the sooner you contact Yeboah Law Group to help, the sooner we can get the process started.

And that jump start may be the difference between an approved claim and a denied claim. Right now, insurance companies are gearing up to fight the claims filed by home and business owners. Their only goal is to keep your money. They will be looking for EVERY excuse not to pay.

We know it’s not fair and it’s not right, and that’s why Yeboah Law Group is here to help. You spent years ensuring that your policy was paid in the event of a disaster; you shouldn’t haver to suffer twice. To speak with one of our insurance attorneys, please call 1-800-TELL-SAM or fill out our contact form. Proudly serving all of South Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Key West, and Boca Raton.