Hurricanes. Hurricanes have caused record damage in the U.S. over the past several years, with coastal towns and cities reeling from at least three severe tropical storms each year. Hurricanes Florence and Michael caused devastation that may take years to repair fully, while owners remain faced with the total loss of their homes and livelihoods.
Floods. Flooding due to storm surge and heavy rain is a constant risk for residents and property owners in coastal cities. Unfortunately, many insurers will not cover flood damages that are a direct result of a natural disaster.
Hail. Hailstones can cause immediate damage by breaking windows and denting siding, but they can also compromise the integrity of the roof and cause damage in the future. Not only do insurers typically deny roof damage claims due to hail, but they may also refuse to cover any water leakage, drywall and foundation damage, or other structural problems that originally resulted from hail damage.
Tornados. Tornados can cause millions of dollars in damages, causing whole towns to file insurance claims in order to rebuild. Unfortunately, an insurer’s first reaction after a major disaster is to minimize the number of claims and reduce the amount paid out on each one.
Earthquakes. Responsible residents may have gone to the trouble of purchasing earthquake coverage only to see their claims denied, delayed, or underpaid by insurers who are trying to retain as much profit as they can.
Wildfires. Residents of drought-stricken areas know that fires can sweep through towns and industrial areas in a matter of minutes, leaving owners to cope with chemical residue from smoke and soot, melted windows and siding, cracked foundations, or the loss of the entire structure.
Severe storms. Any adverse weather event has the potential to cause significant damage to homes and commercial buildings. High winds can send tree limbs through windows, heavy snow or ice can cause roofs to collapse, and lightning strikes may cause long-term power outages and damage electrical wiring. Insurers will often nickel-and-dime such claims, leaving owners to pay the majority of costs out of their own pockets.
The Voss Law Firm has extensive experience taking on insurance companies to get clients the money they need to rebuild or make repairs. We will examine the terms and limits in your property insurance policy, establish what types of natural disasters are covered, and determine whether the insurer acted unfairly in response to your claim. If the insurer will not offer an adequate amount for your losses in negotiation, the Voss Law Firm can file a bad faith insurance lawsuit to recover the full amount of your policy limit—and if your suit is successful, the insurer may be ordered to pay attorney fees, court costs, and additional damages.