09/22/2020
Home, business and condominium owners purchase insurance to protect their most valuable assets from catastrophic damage during natural disasters. Unfortunately, you cannot always rely upon your insurance company to make you whole in the aftermath of a storm. Two scenarios of concern generally arise when a claim for hurricane damage is made with your insurance company.
1.) Your insurance carrier will agree to cover the claim, but will exclude items that should be included or significantly undervalue the claim. The insurance companies’ adjusters, while well-intentioned, will often assign the value of the claim at a figure that does not make the home, condominium or business owner whole. It is prudent for a claimant to have an independent adjuster or attorney review the claim prior to accepting payment and signing a release of your rights.
2.) Was the damage caused by wind or flood waters? A typical home or business policy will only cover wind damage and flood insurance must be purchased separately through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurance carrier. If the home or business owner does not have flood insurance, a determination by their carrier that the damage was caused by storm surge or other flood waters can result in a denial. An independent review of that denial may help establish that the claim was caused, in whole or in part, by wind, thereby making the claim compensable.
If you own a home, condominium or business that was impacted by Hurricane Sally and feel as though you are not being fully compensated or your claim is being improperly denied, The Seawell Firm, LLC, stands ready to review your claim and determine if you are entitled to additional compensation. In these difficult times, do not let your insurance company unfairly deny or minimize your claim.
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