If you live in Miami, wind can be both friend and foe. The cool breezes that blow in off the Atlantic Ocean help to cool down the year-around Miami heat, turning southern Florida into a paradise for residents and visitors. However, when those winds increase during a tropical storm or hurricane, they can be one of Mother Nature’s most destructive forces.
When wind damage occurs to your home or personal property, you naturally expect your Florida homeowner’s insurance to cover the repair and/or replacement costs for the damage. Unfortunately, this is often not the case.
At Malik Law, we have seen firsthand the devastating aftermath of a high windstorm. We have also seen the lingering devastation and homeowners’ frustration when insurance companies refuse to honor legitimate wind damage claims in a timely manner. If your home and/or property recently suffered wind damage, the experienced insurance claims attorneys at Malik Law are here to help. We are committed to putting our extensive knowledge and experience to work for you to get you the payment you need to repair
Wind Damage Insurance Claims
Whether you are a year-round resident of southern Florida, or you own a vacation home in Miami, you are undoubtedly familiar with the storms that ravage the area. Along with the numerous unnamed thunderstorms that blow through Florida in an average year, a typical year also produces 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes, according to the Insurance Information Institute. These storms, however, appear to be getting more frequent and more powerful. In 2019, Florida experienced 18 named storms, with six of those becoming hurricanes. Three of those hurricanes were categorized as a major hurricane, defined as a Category 3 or higher with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph. Such powerful winds can do serious damage to your home and property, including:
- Roof damage — tile roofs are a common sight in southern Florida, and while they are architecturally beautiful, they are also easily damaged by strong winds.
- Water damage — water damage from broken pipes, shattered windows, and flooding often occurs when strong winds accompany a storm.
- Structural damages — although Florida homes and buildings are built to withstand strong storms, the powerful winds of a major hurricane can still cause structural damage to homes and property.
- Cosmetic damage — even a relatively small storm can include sufficiently strong winds to cause cosmetic damage to your home.
- Downed trees — southern Florida is known for its beautiful Palm trees. Unfortunately, those same trees can do severe damage to a home or building if they come crashing down during a storm.
- Landscape damage — a beautifully landscaped yard can turn into a brush pile as a result of a tropical storm or hurricane.
Filing a Wind Damage Insurance Claim
In the aftermath of a storm that caused wind damage, one of the first things you should do is review your homeowner’s insurance policy. Do not assume the damage to your property is covered. While wind damage is something that should typically be covered, it might not be if the damage was caused by a named hurricane or as a result of flooding. It is not uncommon for a homeowner’s insurance policy to handle hurricane claims differently and/or to exclude losses caused by flooding if you did not purchase a separate flood insurance policy. Before you contact your homeowner’s insurance company, you may wish to consult with an experienced attorney to make sure you are clear on what your policy should cover and what losses might be excluded.
Denied, Delayed, or Underpaid Claims
If you have already submitted a claim, and that claim has been denied, has yet to be paid, or was not paid in full, it is time to consult with a Miami wind damage insurance claims attorney. If your claim was denied outright, you are entitled to a written explanation setting forth the reason(s) why your claim was denied. Often, claims are denied for non-substantive reasons, such as an incomplete application or failure to provide a form or document. If it has been more than 15 days since you submitted a claim, the insurance company must act on the claim and either accept or reject it. If they do not, an attorney can step in and encourage the insurance company to comply with the law. Finally, if your insurance company failed to compensate you in full for your losses without providing a legitimate explanation for the underpayment, you may need an experienced attorney to help you secure payment in full.
Get Help from an Experienced Miami Wind Damage Insurance Claims Attorney
The Miami wind damage insurance claim attorneys at Malik Law P.A. have the knowledge, skill, and experience to help you with your claim. We understand how wind damage to your home and/or property can leave you feeling vulnerable and frustrated following a storm. We are dedicated to helping you through the claims process to ensure that you are fully compensated for your covered losses.
Call us at 407-500-1000 or submit our online form today. One of our experienced Miami wind damage insurance claims attorneys will explain your rights to you and discuss your legal options at no cost.