Hurricane Milton and Tornado Damage: How to Handle Insurance Claims for Destruction

fallen down big tree caused damage of yard fence after hurricane

Hurricane Milton caused significant damage to both homes and commercial properties in its path. If your home was damaged by tornadoes spawned by the storm, filing an insurance claim with your hurricane insurance provider can help you get the money you need to make repairs. But filing a claim and dealing with the insurance company as you wait for a settlement isn’t always as straightforward as it should be. Here are a few tips from your Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney to help you handle insurance claims for tornado damage resulting from Hurricane Milton.

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Review Your Policy in Detail

Make sure you’re covered. Most homeowners’ insurance policies cover damage resulting from tornadoes and high winds, and your hurricane insurance coverage should cover damage from tornadoes that developed during Hurricane Milton. But that doesn’t mean every policy does. 

Take the time to review your coverage details closely. Read up on covered events, coverage limits, and any other terms associated with your policy. It’s likely that your policy will cover both damage to your home’s structure as well as damage to personal items kept inside your home. 

If you have any questions about your policy’s coverage terms, reach out to your insurance agent immediately. They should be able to explain your policy and help you understand what’s covered and what’s not.

Speak With a Florida Hurricane Insurance Claims Attorney

Even if you filed shortly after the storm, insurance companies may still take longer than they should to review your claim, issue a settlement, or respond to appeals. The best thing you can do is to speak with a Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney as soon as possible. Ideally, you’ll want to contact your attorney as soon as you know you’ll need to file a claim.

But if you’ve filed an insurance claim a few months ago and are still struggling to get the money you need, contact an attorney now. They’ll be able to review your policy, your claim details, the damage done to your home, and the insurance company’s responses to your claim so you know where you stand. Even better, they can represent your interests with the insurance company if needed.

Get Independent Estimates for All Repairs

residential house crushed by fallen trees and tree limbs

It’s normal for insurance adjusters to undervalue the full cost of repairs when they perform their walkthrough of your property. Why? Because it’s in the insurance company’s best interest to offer the lowest settlement possible. If you’re still navigating an appeal or are concerned that the adjuster undervalued the cost of repairs for your property, get independent estimates for all repairs from local contractors. This will give you an idea of how much repairs will truly cost and gives you concrete evidence to present to your insurance company if you need to appeal the settlement.

Be Ready to Appeal the Decision as Needed

Tornadoes from Hurricane Milton have caused thousands of dollars of damage on properties throughout Florida. Unfortunately, insurance providers aren’t always ready to issue settlements that are fair. If your settlement is too low or your insurance provider denied your claim outright, you can and should appeal the decision. Your Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney can help you file an appeal if needed. 

By working with an attorney during the appeals process, you’ll show your insurance provider that you’re serious and may help you get a fair settlement more quickly.

Let the Team at Parrish Law Help

If you’re worried about getting money for tornado damage from Hurricane Milton, don’t try to navigate the insurance claims process alone. Work with an experienced Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney help from the very beginning. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.