Orlando Tornado Insurance Claims Lawyers

One of the many benefits of living and working in Florida is the proximity to the ocean. During the hot summer months, the ocean breeze provides a welcome relief from the heat. That cooling breeze, however, can turn into a powerful and destructive force of nature during the Atlantic hurricane season. Winds that accompany a tropical storm or hurricane can cause wreak havoc on your home or business, resulting in costly damage that can take weeks — even months –to repair.

As a property owner, you expect your property owner’s insurance to compensate you in full and within a reasonable time frame for the wind damage your property suffered. What you may find instead are endless delays, an outright denial, or a repair/replacement estimate that is substantially less than what it will cost to repair or replace your damaged property.

At Malik Law, we are all too familiar with the destructive nature of Florida windstorms as well as with the tactics insurance companies frequently used to avoid promptly and completely compensating policyholders who have suffered wind damage. If your home or property was damaged by wind, and your insurance company has not fully compensated you, our experienced Florida wind damage insurance claims attorneys can help get your claim paid in full and without further delay.

What Kind of Damage Can Florida Winds Cause?

Anyone who has been through a tropical storm or hurricane has experienced the powerful nature of the winds that accompany these storms. Anything in the path of the storm is at risk. The National Weather Service classifies winds using the Beaufort chart. According to that chart, winds that are classified as Beaufort number 9-12 are the most destructive. Damage caused by these winds may include:

• 47 to 54 mph winds. Classified as Beaufort 9 and referred to as “strong gale” winds, these winds can cause structural damage to roof tiles or shingles, break off smaller branches from trees, and cause smaller objects to be blown away.
• 55 to 63 mph winds. Classified as Beaufort 10, “whole gale” winds may result in more severe structural damage to a roof as well as cause small trees to be uprooted or fall over completely.
• 64 to 75 mph winds. Classified as Beaufort 11 winds, these “storm force” winds may cause considerable damage to homes and buildings, completely sever electrical wires, and knock down larger trees.
• Winds more than 75 mph. Beaufort 12 winds are considered hurricane-force winds and often result in extensive and widespread damage to homes, buildings, and roadways. Winds of this force can tear off a roof, break windows, and even overturn mobile homes and move vehicles.

Is Wind Damage Always Caused by a Tropical Storm or Hurricane?

While tropical storms and hurricanes that occur during the Atlantic hurricane season certainly cause their share of wind damage, your property can suffer wind damage at any time of the year. In fact, there are several types of potentially damaging winds that do not typically accompany a tropical storm or hurricane, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, such as:

• Straight-line wind. A thunderstorm wind without rotation, meaning that it is not part of a tornado.
• Downdraft. A small-scale column of air that rapidly sinks toward the ground.
• Macroburst. When a downdraft reaches the surface it can produce a microburst causing strong winds that extend for 2.5 miles or more.
• Microburst. This is a small and short-lived, but potentially more powerful, burst of wind at the surface with wind speeds that can exceed100 mph.
• Gust front. These are the winds that often proceed a thunderstorm. Rain-cooled air meets warmer air from the thunderstorm producing strong wind gusts.
• Derecho. This is a true windstorm that is both long-lived and widespread. A Derecho produces winds of at least 58 mph along its length and covers more than 240 miles.

What Should I Know About Filing a Florida TOrnado Damage Insurance Claim?

Knowing what to do when your Florida home or property suffers wind damage is the key to getting quickly and completely reimbursed for your losses. Before you do anything else, document the damage by taking photographs of all outside damage. Depending on the type and extent of the damage, you may need to wait on clearance from the proper authorities to enter the property and/or to take steps to prevent further damage. Once you have that clearance, take photographs of damage inside the property, and do what you can to mediate damages. Boarding up broken windows, putting a tarp on a damaged roof, or shutting off the water supply when pipes are damaged are common steps you may need to take.

Next, contact your insurance company and file a wind damage claim. An adjuster may schedule a time to come view the damage in person, or you may simply be required to submit photographs of the damage. Either way, be prepared to substantiate the value of your claim with receipts or appraisals for damaged items as well as by obtaining your own independent estimates for the cost of repairs to the property. Also, take the time to review your insurance policy, so you are clear on what you believe it should cover.

My Orlando Tornado Claim Has Not Been Paid, Was Underpaid, or Was Denied. What should I do now?

If all goes as expected, your Florida wind damage insurance claim will be paid quickly and in full. Unfortunately, however, that does not always happen. Instead, you may find yourself waiting an unreasonable amount of time for your claim to be paid, disagreeing about what your policy covers, disagreeing about the value of your claim, or facing an outright denial of your entire claim. Keep in mind that your insurance company is a business that needs to make a profit to remain in business. Therefore, your insurance company has a strong incentive to pay out as little as possible when you file a claim. The good news is that you may have legal options available to you if you find yourself faced with waiting indefinitely for reimbursement or your insurance company has underpaid or denied your wind damage claim.

How Malik Law Can Help with Your Tornado Claim

Insurance companies often seek to minimize payouts by using various tactics to devalue or deny claims. Our experienced lawyers understand these strategies and know how to counter them effectively. We handle all communications with the insurance company, advocating aggressively on your behalf to secure a fair settlement.

Filing and Managing Your Claim:  Filing a tornado damage insurance claim can be complex and time-consuming. Our team manages every aspect of your claim—from the initial filing to the final settlement. This includes gathering and submitting required documentation, meeting crucial deadlines, and keeping you informed at every stage. Our goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Challenging Denied or Underpaid Claims:  If your tornado damage claim has been denied or underpaid, don’t lose hope. Our skilled insurance claim lawyers can review your case, identify errors or unfair practices, and challenge the decision. We are committed to fighting for your rights and ensuring you receive the full compensation you deserve under your policy.

Call us at 407-500-1000 or submit our online form today. One of our experienced Florida tornado damage insurance claim attorneys will explain your rights to you and discuss your legal options at no cost.