A hurricane insurance claim is a request for payment under an insurance policy for property damage or financial losses caused by a hurricane or tropical storm.

The claim may involve a house, commercial property, personal belongings, detached structure, or other insured property. Depending on the language of the policy, covered losses may include wind damage, roof damage, broken windows, damage from fallen trees or flying debris, and rain entering through an opening created by the storm.

A claim may also include additional living expenses if the home cannot be occupied during repairs. Commercial policies may provide coverage for damaged inventory, equipment, repairs, or certain business interruption losses.

Coverage is determined by the individual policy. Deductibles, exclusions, limits, maintenance issues, and the cause of the damage can all affect the amount the insurance company agrees to pay.

Homeowners insurance commonly covers certain forms of wind damage, including damage to roofs, siding, windows, doors, and other structures. It may also cover rain damage when wind creates an opening in the building and allows water to enter.

Coverage may extend to personal belongings, temporary living expenses, garages, sheds, fences, and other structures, depending on the policy.

Standard homeowners insurance generally does not cover flooding caused by rising water or storm surge. That protection usually requires a separate flood insurance policy.

Coverage disputes frequently arise when both wind and flooding affect the property. The insurance company may argue that an excluded source of water caused the loss, while the policyholder may contend that covered wind damage occurred first. The policy language, photographs, structural evidence, weather information, and expert inspections may help establish the cause.

An insurer may deny a hurricane claim for many reasons. It may argue that the policy does not cover the loss, an exclusion applies, the damage existed before the storm, or flooding rather than wind caused the loss.

The insurer may also allege that the policyholder reported the damage too late, failed to protect the property from additional damage, did not provide requested records, or failed to comply with another policy requirement.

Some disputes involve only part of the claim. The insurer may cover roof damage but deny interior water damage, accept structural damage but reject personal property losses, or pay for repairs while refusing to replace materials that cannot be matched.

A denial letter is not necessarily the final word. An attorney can compare the insurer’s explanation with the policy, photographs, repair estimates, weather information, inspection reports, and other available evidence.

A hurricane insurance attorney can evaluate the damage to your property and the insurance company’s handling of the claim.

Depending on the circumstances, an attorney may:

• Review your policy, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and exclusions
• Identify the deadlines that apply to your claim
• Examine the insurer’s denial or payment explanation
• Gather photographs, weather records, estimates, and repair documentation
• Work with contractors, engineers, adjusters, and other experts
• Identify omitted, hidden, or undervalued damage
• Respond to requests from the insurance company
• Help prepare a proof of loss or other claim documents
• Calculate the insurance benefits that may remain unpaid
• Submit the required notice of intent to initiate litigation
• Represent you during appraisal, mediation, or settlement negotiations
• File a lawsuit when the dispute cannot be resolved

Insurance disputes may involve technical policy language, complicated causation issues, strict deadlines, and extensive documentation. Having an attorney handle the dispute can allow you to focus on protecting your family, property, or business.

No. It costs nothing to begin with a free case evaluation.

If Morgan & Morgan accepts your hurricane insurance case, we work on a contingency-fee basis. That means you do not pay us upfront, and you only pay if we win.

The insurance company may already have adjusters, consultants, engineers, and attorneys working to limit its financial exposure. You should not have to take them on alone.

You paid your insurance premiums expecting protection after a disaster. You should not have to fight alone when your insurance company denies, delays, or underpays your hurricane claim.

Morgan & Morgan can review your policy and claim at no cost to you. If we take your case, The Fee Is Free®—you only pay if we win.

Complete our free case evaluation today to learn whether you may have a claim.