Hurricanes are an unfortunate reality that comes with living in a state that borders an ocean. Though we love blue skies and sea air, homeowners in coastal areas must face the reality that their property will be threatened by hurricanes every so often.

Many coastal homeowners use hurricane insurance to help cover the costs of weather-based destruction of their property. But even with this added layer of protection, insurance companies often use loopholes and policy exemptions to deny or reduce legitimate claims after a disaster.

If you live in a coastal area and are facing an unsympathetic insurance company after hurricane damage, here’s the information you need to know.

Common Damage Types

Hurricanes are very destructive, and the wind and rain can have the same effect as a bulldozer plowing through your house.

Common hurricane damage claims you may receive compensation for include:

  • Destroyed Siding And Shingles – High winds can tear away exterior materials, leaving your home exposed to the elements.
  • Crumpled Garage Doors – Wind pressure can buckle or collapse garage doors, compromising structural integrity.
  • Shattered Windows – Flying debris and wind force can break windows, allowing water intrusion.
  • Flooded Basements – Storm surge and heavy rainfall can inundate lower levels of your home.
  • Moisture Damage – Water infiltration can damage walls, insulation, and personal property.
  • Roof Damage – Missing shingles, punctures, and structural damage are common after hurricanes.

Even with these common claims, insurance companies don’t want to pay out for every claim they receive, so they may try and avoid the payout through a series of loopholes or policy exemptions that their policyholders may not have known about before signing up.

Common Insurance Company Loopholes and Tactics

Insurance agencies may exploit policy language and exemptions to reduce or deny your hurricane damage claim. Understanding these tactics can help you protect your rights:

  • Timing disputes – Claiming the damage occurred before or after the hurricane.
  • Flood vs. hurricane coverage separation – Separating flood and hurricane insurance policies to imply that water damage technically happened in a flood before the hurricane.
  • Pre-existing condition claims – Claiming that the home wasn’t up to code, or that the homeowner was living in unsafe conditions prior to the hurricane, such as living near an ocean in the first place.
  • Mold and moisture allegations – Claiming that mold or other moisture damage was in the home before the hurricane.

What Should You Do to Combat These Tactics?

Luckily, there are things you can do to stop insurance agencies from treating you this way.

  • Document before and after the storm – Take photographs before and after the storm. If you know a storm is coming, take timestamped photos of all your valuables so you can prove to your insurance company that you really have the assets you claimed to have, and that those assets were functional before the storm.
  • Photograph damage before cleanup – Take photos before you do any cleanup so you can prove that the damage was as extensive as you’ve claimed.
  • Submit detailed claims – Be as detailed as possible with your claim. If you leave out details, you’ll delay the process considerably if they ask you to start over with more details.
  • Inspect for hidden damage – Be thorough in your search for damage. Not all damage to your property will be visible. Check for water damage in the structure of your walls, foundation, and roof.
  • Get vehicle inspections – Have your car checked out by a mechanic to document any storm-related mechanical or exterior damage.
  • Don’t cash settlement checks prematurely – If you receive a claims check from your insurance agency and you aren’t happy with the amount, contact an attorney and don’t cash the check until you’re satisfied. With most insurance checks, cashing the check robs you of your right to negotiate.

When to Contact a Hurricane Insurance Claims Lawyer

If your insurance company has denied your claim, offered an inadequate settlement, or is using delay tactics, a hurricane insurance claims lawyer can help protect your rights. An experienced attorney for insurance claims can review your policy, document your losses, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.

If you need help, contact a reputable personal injury attorney to make sure your insurance agency isn’t taking advantage of you!