Hurricane Ian was a devastating storm that caused significant damage to many homes in its path. If you are a homeowner who has suffered damage from this storm, you may be wondering whether to file a homeowner’s insurance claim. In this post, we will discuss some of the reasons why you should file a Hurricane Ian homeowner’s insurance claim.
First and foremost, you are required to file Insurance claims. All homeowner’s insurance policies require that you “promptly” report all known or suspected damage to the property. Florida courts have been very clear on this issue. If you knew or should have known of some property damage, even if small and repairs are less than your deductible, you are required to inform your insurance company. – Otherwise, you’ve broken your insurance policy contract.
Free Attorney Representation for 2022 and Older Claims
Additionally, one of the most compelling reasons to file a homeowner’s insurance claim for Hurricane Ian is that if you have a 2022 or older insurance claim, you maybe be entitled to free attorney representation. For 2022 claims, the law in Florida says that if you hire a lawyer, and that lawyer proves that you were underpaid by at least 50%, then by law and as a punishment, your insurance company has to pay for your lawyer’s time and costs. This means that if you hire an attorney to help you with your claim, and your QT&T Homeowner’s Insurance attorney proves that your claim was wrongfully denied or you’re owed 50% more than they originally offer, then the insurance company will have to pay your lawyer on top of what the insurance company owes you. Alternatively, if you weren’t entitled to additional insurance money, you don’t owe QT&T anything. – It’s a win-win scenario.
This is a significant benefit, as hiring an attorney can help ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your damages. An attorney can help you navigate the often-complex process of filing a homeowner’s insurance claim, negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and represent you in court if necessary.
Contingency Agreement for 2023 Claims
On January 1, 2023, Florida Senate Bill 2A became law. Which among many things got rid of the statutory attorney’s fees you benefited from in 2022. While the new law does NOT apply retroactively, going forward all homeowner’s insurance attorneys will be forced to take a percentage of the insurance award as their contingency fee. (Just like car accident lawyers) This means that going forward if you hire an attorney to represent you for a hailstorm or windstorm claim, the attorney will take a percentage of the compensation you receive.
The new law makes it less appealing for someone with a homeowners insurance claim to hire an attorney, but it is still important to consider hiring one. An attorney can help ensure that you receive a fair settlement from your insurance company, and the percentage of the compensation you receive that you will pay to your attorney may still be worth it in the long run. Please call QT&T at 407-452-4918 to get a free claim evaluation.
Getting the Compensation You Deserve
Ultimately, the most important reason to file a homeowner’s insurance claim for Hurricane Ian is to get the compensation you deserve for your damages. The damage caused by Hurricane Ian can be not obvious, and the cost of repairs can be high. Filing a homeowner’s insurance claim can help ensure that you are not left with the financial burden of repairing your home on your own.
If you are considering filing a homeowner’s insurance claim for Hurricane Ian or any other 2022 insurance claim, it is important to act quickly. We at Quattrochi, Torres & Taormina, P.A. would love the opportunity to navigate you through the process and get the compensation you deserve for your damages.