How Can a Hurricane Damage Lawyer Help After Hurricane Helene?
Hurricane Helene caused billions of dollars of damage across the South. If your home was damaged by the storm, your first thought will likely be that you need to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance provider. While many companies will honor those claims and give fair settlements to homeowners so they can repair and rebuild, some may drag their feet. Working with a Florida hurricane damage lawyer can help you get the money you deserve, but that’s not all. Here are a few ways your attorney can help you through the process.
They Can Help You Navigate the Insurance Process
Filing homeowners’ insurance claims is rarely ever a straightforward process, especially when thousands of others are filing claims at the same time. There can be delays, insurance agents may not be able to answer your nuanced questions, and figuring out what types of documentation to send can be tough. An experienced attorney can help you through the process, whether you’re just filing a claim or appealing your insurance provider’s decision or settlement amount. You won’t have to go through it alone.
Your Attorney Can Represent Your Interests With the Insurance Company
Insurance companies exist to provide you with the money you need to repair or rebuild your home after severe damage. But ultimately, they’re businesses. They’re always going to be concerned about their bottom line. For homeowners, this often means offering a low settlement, even when you’re entitled to more. When you work with a Florida hurricane damage lawyer, you’ll have someone on hand to represent your interests with the insurance company. They’ll be able to push for the settlement you deserve and may help you avoid costly delays.
They Can Hold the Insurance Company Accountable for Their Actions
Under Florida law, insurance companies are required to respond to claims within 14 days of receiving the claim. They must also pay on accepted claims or deny claims within 90 days of the homeowner filing. If the insurance company takes too long, your hurricane damage lawyer can help you hold them accountable. They’ll be able to put legal pressure on the company that homeowners typically can’t do on their own. This is often enough to speed the claims process up so you can focus on getting your home back to normal.
They Can Give You Advice as You Wait on Your Claim
Knowing what to do, when to do it, and what counts as a violation of your insurance company’s responsibilities can be tough. When you work with an attorney, you’ll have an expert on hand to give you advice that you can rely on. Remember, hurricane damage lawyers understand the rules and regulations insurance providers must follow as well as the requirements you need to satisfy to be successful with your claim far better than Google, Reddit, or other online forums.
They May Help You Get a Fair Settlement
Insurance companies are businesses. It’s in their best interest to keep their insurance payments as low as possible. Unfortunately for homeowners, this means the settlement offers they receive may not be high enough to cover the cost of repairs. Working with an attorney could help you get a fair settlement. They’ll be able to negotiate with the insurance company and represent your interests when you appeal the insurance company’s offer. Keep in mind that your attorney can’t guarantee you a certain settlement amount or guarantee that your appeal will be successful.
Schedule a Consultation With a Florida Hurricane Damage Lawyer
If your home was damaged by Hurricane Helene, the sooner you can speak to a Florida hurricane damage lawyer, the sooner you can figure out your next best step. Contact the team at Parrish Law today to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys will review your case and help you get the settlement you deserve.