Wind Damage Attorney in Tampa
Did a storm blow into your life, creating wind damage and bringing a lot of headaches with it? Your home is a valuable asset, so if it takes damage, you could be out hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Filing a claim for any type of damage can be confusing and difficult. So, what exactly goes into the process of potentially recovering funds for wind-related damage?
What Counts as Wind Damage?
Tornadoes, hurricanes, and high-speed gusts of wind can quite obviously cause damages to your home. But wind damages aren’t just caused by the gusts themselves. Branches falling off of trees, or trees getting uprooted and landing on your property, can cause severe damages. Debris flying into your home and ruining the siding or the roof can also be attributed to wind damages. These repairs are often very costly, despite them being common occurrences. Here are some examples of wind damages:
- Structural damages to your roof
- Broken shutters, windows, storm doors, or regular doors.
- Wind damage to siding and exterior from flying debris
- Broken Air Conditioning Units
- Uprooted and fallen trees
- Lost or broken outdoor furniture
- Destroyed sheds, gazebos, or porches
- Holes or cracks leading to water damages
NOAA issues warnings for possible wind damage to shingles and roofs based on the Saffir-Simpson wind speed damage chart. When a strong storm is expected to hit your area, it’s important to check the wind speed damage chart to help prepare yourself for what may be in store. Additionally, you should always make sure your storm preparedness kit is well-stocked, and you are prepared.
Will my insurance Cover Wind Damage to the Roof?
It can be difficult to navigate your insurance policies, as companies make it intentionally confusing and misleading. Severe weather insurance will typically cover damages caused by hail, lightning, and wind. When filing a roof damage insurance claim from wind, it’s important to understand the scope of coverage in your policy. Your cars or other vehicles might be included as well, but these would be under a different policy and would require additional deductibles.
If you’re unsure of what your policy covers, you should contact your insurance company. A good rule of thumb is to always ensure that any policy you have covers as much as possible. Weather can be unpredictable, and you never know when what seems like a regular storm can turn much more violent and destructive.
What Steps Should I Take After my Roof is Wind Damaged?
If your property has suffered from wind damage, you should immediately document everything with photographs and video recordings. You should file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible and keep copies of all your correspondence.
Lastly, make sure to keep a good record of any costs that were related to the wind damages. Keep the receipts for any repairs that were needed. And if you can, find the receipts of any items that were damaged, as well. This will make sure that the reimbursement process will go as smoothly as possible. You should never have to accept a claim or payment which you believe is unjustified.
What Difficulties Will I Encounter With My Wind Damage Insurance Claim?
When your property gets damaged, you’ll want to get it fixed as soon as possible. Repairs are costly and take time, and it’s quite possible that your home is no longer suitable for habitation. What’s worse is that your insurance provider will try to delay your claims as long as possible.
They could also try and offer a much lower reimbursement or even deny your claim altogether. All of this culminates into a horribly exhausting situation, so you should try and reach out to your experienced lawyer as soon as possible. By choosing to handle your case with a lawyer, you might even gain additional reimbursement if your insurance company is found to have been acting in “bad faith.” (Such as by delaying, denying, or underpaying your claims.)
Contact a Wind Damage Attorney in Tampa
Damages caused by wind can be extremely expensive. The insurance policies can be confusing and tough to navigate. And if your insurance company isn’t willing to help, an experienced lawyer will be required to step in. You should not be at the mercy of your insurance, but rather be proactive in both understanding your policies and coverage, as well as pursuing the compensation and reimbursement you deserve. Wind damages might have ruined your home, but they don’t have to ruin your bank account.
At Darrigo & Diaz, we are not afraid to stand up to your insurance company and fight for fair and just compensation for your claim. We proudly serve the Tampa area, and we are one of the most successful wind damage attorney firms in Florida. We strive to make it simple for you to have access to our team when you need us most. Call us at (813) 774-3341 for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation right over the phone, or contact us to schedule a Zoom meeting when it’s most convenient for you.
