When your home is damaged in a hurricane, dealing with your insurance company can quickly become overwhelming. Between complex policy language, slow responses, and lowball settlement offers, it’s no wonder so many Florida homeowners feel defeated before they even get started.
At Larry Moskowitz, PA, we work with many policyholders throughout Florida to take the pressure off and fight for the fair compensation they deserve. If you’re feeling ignored, underpaid, or overwhelmed, here’s how a hurricane claims attorney can help, and why it makes all the difference.
What is a Hurricane Claim Lawyer and What Do They Do?
A hurricane lawyer is a legal professional who specializes in assisting homeowners and business owners with insurance claims resulting from storm damage. Their job is to ensure insurance companies honor their policies and the entire insurance claims process, treat policyholders fairly, and offer a fair settlement after disasters like Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton. An insurance claims attorney’s work often includes:
- Reviewing policy language and exclusions
- Gathering documentation and expert assessments
- Filing formal claims, appeals, or lawsuits
- Negotiating settlements directly with the insurance company
- Representing clients in court, if necessary
Hiring a hurricane lawyer ensures you have a dedicated advocate throughout the entire process who understands insurance law, knows the insurance adjuster’s obligations, and is fully prepared to hold them accountable.
The Insurance Claims Negotiation Process
Once you’ve hired an experienced hurricane insurance claims law firm, they’ll take over communications with your insurance company. Here’s how the insurance claim disputes process typically unfolds:
- Property Damage Claim Evaluation: Your attorney will review your insurance policy, hurricane damage reports, and any correspondence you’ve had with the insurer.
- Demand Letter: If your home insurance claim was denied or underpaid, your lawyer will send a formal demand letter outlining your losses, supporting documentation, and a request for proper compensation.
- Communication with Your Insurance Company: Your lawyer will handle back-and-forth communication with the adjuster or hurricane damage claims department, so you don’t have to.
- Negotiation: Involves presenting evidence, countering low offers, and utilizing legal pressure to secure a fair and accurate settlement. If negotiation fails, litigation may follow.
- Resolution: If successful, the negotiation ends with a revised settlement offer that covers your actual damages, not just what the insurer was willing to pay upfront.
Why Negotiating Insurance Disputes and Claims Denials On Your Own Can Be Risky
Many homeowners begin the process without legal assistance, but soon realize they are at a disadvantage. Common challenges include:
- Confusing insurance policy language that’s hard to interpret without legal training
- Low settlement offers based on the insurer’s internal estimates
- Repeated delays in communication or claim processing
- Pressure to accept an early offer before the full damage is assessed
Insurance companies are highly experienced in negotiating, and unfortunately, they often rely on the fact that most policyholders are not.
How Legal Action Streamlines the Process
When you hire a law group with a proven track record, you gain more than legal advice; you gain negotiation skills, a deep understanding of insurance practices, and are more likely to achieve a favorable outcome. A skilled legal team can:
- Translate policy language into clear terms so you know exactly what’s covered
- Gather additional evidence like expert reports, contractor repair estimates, and other supporting evidence to strengthen your case
- Push back against low offers by carefully reviewing Florida law and case precedents
- Apply legal pressure through notices of intent or complaints to regulators
- Level the playing field so the insurer knows you mean business and deserve a fair settlement
At Larry Moskowitz, PA, we’ve negotiated with nearly every major insurer in Florida, and we know how to get the results you rightfully deserve.
Your Insurance Company’s Legal Obligations
Under Florida law, insurers must act in good faith when processing hurricane damage claims. This means they’re required to:
- Acknowledge your claim within 14 days
- Begin investigation promptly
- Make a coverage decision within 90 days
- Provide clear, written explanations regarding your policy details for delays or denials
When your insurance company refuses to meet these standards, it could be considered bad faith.
Common Personal Property Damage Pitfalls
Even when homeowners gather documentation and make honest efforts, they may fall into traps such as:
- Accepting the first offer out of urgency or confusion
- Failing to document all damages, especially hidden or future repair costs
- Missing important deadlines that can limit legal options
- Inadvertently saying something that hurts their case during conversations with adjusters
Let a Law Group Handle All Property Damage Negotiations
If you’re frustrated with your insurance company or worried about navigating the process alone, you don’t have to go it alone.
At Larry Moskowitz, PA, we’re ready to help, which is why we work on a contingency fee basis. Schedule a free consultation today and let us take it from here, because you’ve already been through enough.