Hurricane Damage Attorney

The devastation of hurricane damage is multiplied when an insurance company denies or undervalues a valid claim. If your insurer has failed to step up when you need them the most, the hurricane damage attorneys at Vishio, Watkins & Forry, PLLC, are here to stand up for your rights.

Our lawyers have experience on both sides of hurricane damage claims. We used to work for insurance companies. Today, we leverage that industry knowledge to anticipate and counter the tactics that insurance companies use against our clients, including property owners in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, and in hurricane zones throughout the U.S. Schedule a consultation today.

Trusted Legal Advocates for Hurricane Insurance Claims

If your home, association, or commercial property is damaged by a hurricane, your insurance company may have a contractual obligation to indemnify you for your losses. Our law firm represents insureds who have suffered hurricane damage all throughout the United States. We always work on a contingent fee basis, and unlike many more expensive law firms, we often are able to match or beat the rates charged by public adjusters, who are limited in the options they have to attempt to resolve your claim.

Our expert estimators and engineers are capable of determining the scope and amount of your losses caused by a hurricane, and our experienced lawyers are capable of properly analyzing your insurance policy provisions to guide you through the claims or supplemental claims process.

Unlike public adjusters, our lawyers can represent you at Examinations Under Oath (“EUO’s”), we can competently draft and file Civil Remedies Notices (“CRN’s) or similar documents which are a necessary precondition to filing suit. Most importantly, we can file a lawsuit should your insurance company breach any of its contractual obligations owed to you, the policyholder. Make no mistake, public adjusters look to us when they cannot amicably resolve your claim or trigger appraisal.

We are currently helping Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Milton, and Hurricane Helene victims fight for what they deserve.

Common Reasons Why Hurricane Claims Are Denied

Insurance companies deny hurricane claims for various reasons, some of which may be legitimate, while others are unjustified or based on bad faith practices.

Some of the most common reasons include the following:

• Late filing/reporting: Insurance companies often deny claims due to late filing, arguing that delays make it difficult to verify the cause and extent of the damage.
• Disputes regarding pre-existing damage: Insurers might claim the damage existed before the hurricane, pointing to prior wear and tear and lapses in maintenance as reasons for rejecting the claim.
• “Act of God” claims: Some companies deny claims by labeling hurricanes as “Acts of God,” asserting that the policy does not cover unavoidable natural disasters.
• Coverage exclusions: Policies often contain exclusions for specific types of hurricane-related damage, such as flooding or wind-driven rain, leading to partial or full denials.
• Documentation issues: A lack of photos, videos, repair estimates, and other documentation can result in claim denials or reduced payouts.
• Anti-concurrent causation clauses: These clauses in storm damage policies allow insurers to deny claims if an excluded cause, e.g., flooding, contributed to the damage alongside a covered event such as rain.

At Vishio, Watkins & Forry, PLLC, we utilize proven legal strategies to enforce your policy and aggressively pursue the full compensation you are entitled to receive.

What Are Your Rights After a Hurricane Claim Denial?

If your hurricane damage claim has been denied, it is crucial to understand your legal rights and options. Each state has specific time limits for challenging a denial, so acting promptly is essential.

Insurance companies are legally obligated to handle claims fairly, provide clear explanations for denials, and comply with policy terms. If an insurer engages in bad faith practices, you may have additional legal options beyond simply appealing the denial or beyond just getting paid. You also have the right to an independent damage assessment, which can provide stronger evidence if your insurer undervalued or misrepresented your losses. 

If your hurricane damage claim is denied, you can appeal the decision through a structured process outlined by your insurance provider. This typically involves submitting additional evidence, requesting an independent assessment, and, if necessary, escalating the dispute through mediation, arbitration, or legal action to ensure a fair review of your claim.

How Our Hurricane Damage Attorneys Fight Back

When insurance companies deny, delay, or undervalue hurricane damage claims, we take a strategic and aggressive approach to securing fair compensation for our clients, which includes the following:

• We start with an independent damage assessment to evaluate the full extent of a client’s losses. Like public adjusters, our expert estimators and engineers can determine the scope and/or amount of your loss(es) caused by a hurricane.
• We compile comprehensive hurricane damage documentation, including detailed photographs, repair estimates, and contractor evaluations, ensuring your claim is well-supported and properly organized for maximum impact.
• We draw upon our fluency in insurance contracts to conduct a thorough policy analysis, identifying coverage entitlements and exposing the wrongful reliance upon policy exclusions and rebutting any misinterpretations or bad-faith denials.
• We are fully prepared to pursue litigation if the insurer fails to uphold their obligations, and they know that.

Our Process for Hurricane Damage Claims

We are committed to providing the guidance and support our clients need throughout the hurricane damage claims process.

At your initial consultation, we take the time to understand your case, provide a personalized approach to your concerns, explain how the law applies in your state, and outline your legal options. From there, we assist in collecting, organizing, and filing all necessary documentation, helping you stay on track with deadlines and comply with all filing requirements to strengthen your claim.

We maintain open and transparent communication throughout the process, informing you of your claim’s progress and promptly responding to your questions or concerns. In the unlikely event that you have difficulties communicating with one of our lawyers, a senior partner in our firm will be advised and will intervene, a service you do not get with many other law firms. Finally, since we work on a contingency fee basis, you will not pay attorney’s fees unless we get results in your case.

Schedule a Consultation with Vishio, Watkins & Forry, PLLC

You don’t have to take a denied hurricane damage claim as the final word in your dispute with an insurance company. We use proven negotiation and legal strategies to help you obtain the insurance benefits you paid for and deserve. Contact us today for a consultation with an experienced hurricane damage claims lawyer.