How to choose a Hurricane Ian Damage Attorney?
Every year, thousands of people move to Florida to take advantage of the sunny weather, beaches, theme parks and attractions, great food, and of course, the absence of state income taxes. Florida is known as the Sunshine State, and it’s no wonder why. With more than 200 days of sunshine a year and mild winters, Floridians hardly have to put on a sweater, even in January. However, living in some regions of Florida has its downside. That downside is hurricanes. If you have suffered damage from hurricanes, you are probably wondering how to choose a Hurricane Ian attorney. In this note you will find the answer.
Find out how to choose a Hurricane Ian attorney
Hurricanes are one of nature’s most destructive forces and can cause catastrophic damage. Hurricane damage frequently impacts coastal homes and structures, but damage from hurricane force can reach hundreds of miles inland as well.
With winds in excess of 155 miles per hour, debris can break windows, rip off roofs and cause trees to fall. Hurricanes can also cause damage to walls or bring down weakened areas of a house. In addition to excessive wind speeds, hurricanes bring with them heavy rains and flooding, which are often the cause of further damage to homes and structures. All of these known perils are why you have a home insurance policy that covers damage from hurricanes and tropical storms. Well, what if your insurance company now refuses to cover your claim? That’s where how to choose a Hurricane Ian attorney comes in.
When and how to choose a Hurricane Ian attorney?
You’ve probably been religiously paying your insurance premiums for years to protect your property from hurricane damage. And you know how expensive those premiums are depending on your home’s value and location. Now that you need to make a claim, your insurance company avoids taking responsibility for the damage at all costs. This situation is very frustrating as they have been paid for a service and now when it comes time to fulfill their end of the bargain they do their best to keep their costs down and charge you the rest of the bill.
Typically, people hire a hurricane damage attorney when they have a problem with their insurance company. If your insurance company suggests inadequate compensation to cover your actual damages, hiring an attorney can be extremely helpful in changing your tune. That’s because an experienced hurricane damage attorney will have keen insight into how insurance companies work and the strategies they use to undercompensate claims.
Sometimes claims are denied due to improper evaluation. Attorneys must have the resources available to bring in experts to assess the basis for the claim denial and provide countermeasures. Your lawyer will guide you and protect your interests during the investigation. When wondering how to choose a Hurricane Ian attorney, remember to turn to the most experienced and skilled for the task like Mario Serralta.
You may think that hiring an attorney immediately after experiencing catastrophic hurricane damage is too aggressive. But an attorney can spot opportunities you don’t even think about before you approach negotiations with your insurance company. Remember that your attorney is on your side. The insurance company is not necessarily looking out for your best interests.
In addition, hiring an attorney immediately ensures that your claim will be heard before the statute of limitations expires. The statute of limitations for a hurricane damage claim in Florida is only three years from the date the damage occurred.
What to consider during the Insurance Claim?
The insurance adjuster needs to take a complete inventory of the damage to both your property and its contents. That’s why it’s vital to keep a virtual record of your belongings, including the makes and models of appliances, for example. Taking a video inventory of your belongings is always a good idea, as it’s hard to refute such evidence. In the consultation of how to choose a hurricane Ian lawyer, you should consider the fact that an expert lawyer will know for sure the best strategy to achieve the most convenient damage valuation. Keeping records is crucial so the insurance company can assign an actual cash value to your losses or provide the funds to repair or replace them.
Insurance bad faith is predatory behavior on the part of an insurance company. This means that the insurance company acted unethically or behaved in a deceptive or exploitative manner to ensure that they would not have to pay on a legitimate hurricane damage claim. Insurance bad faith can also come into play when an insurance company drags out the process of paying a claim or fails to disclose the extent of coverage that is due. Bad faith actors may use other tactics such as threats, intimidation, and lies to avoid payment of claims.
Having an insurance claim denied can be devastating news as you have been paying premiums for what you thought would be your peace of mind should the unthinkable happen. However, the fact that your claim was denied does not have to be the end of the story. Knowing how to choose a Hurricane Ian attorney can help reset negotiations and start an investigation to bolster your claim. You can go to court to defend yourself, including taking your claim to civil court if necessary. Although most cases are settled out of court, choosing a hurricane damage attorney who is well versed in trial law is crucial. Count on the advice of an experienced lawyer like Mario Serralta to make sure you get the best deal possible in the shortest time.