Hurricane Damage Claims

Struggling to Recover from Hurricanes Milton or Helene?

Hurricanes are getting stronger and harder to predict. Katrina, Harvey, Ian, and now Milton and Helene have been some of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes to hit the U.S. If your home or business was struck by one of these disasters, the last thing you want to hear is that the insurance you’ve been paying for for years won’t cover the damage.

Check out our free guide for advice on recovering from a hurricane, filing a claim with your insurance company, and preparing before the next one.

What To Do When Your Property Sustains Hurricane Damage

1. Survey and document the damage as soon as you safely can — before you begin repairs.
2. File a claim with your insurance company right away.
3. Take photographs of any damage to the interior and exterior of your home.
4. Compare new photos with photos from before the storm.
5. Have a public adjuster, contractor, or damage expert assess the property.
6. Follow the adjuster around when they show up and point out every detail.
7. Understand your insurance policy and what is and isn’t covered.
8. Contact an experienced hurricane damage attorney if your insurer wrongfully delays, denies, or underpays your claim.

Common Types of Hurricane Damage

Wind, rain, and flooding are the primary sources of damage during a hurricane. Powerful winds can tear off shingles, tiles, or entire roofs. They can collapse walls and shatter windows. High winds bring flying debris that can hurt or kill people and further damage your property.

Flooding from storm surges and torrential rainfall is often the deadliest and most destructive force of the storm. It can inundate coastal areas, drowning or trapping people who get caught in its path. It can knock out power, devastate local infrastructure, and corrode the foundations of buildings.

After-Effects of Hurricanes

While loss of life is the most awful consequence of a powerful storm, hurricanes can leave short- and long-term impacts on entire regions and communities. Power outages, water shortages, and communication disruptions usually follow in the days after a hurricane. People may be left displaced without a home and nowhere to turn to. Businesses can lose money and shut down and municipalities are faced with costly infrastructure repairs. Homes and buildings that aren’t destroyed may become hazardous from mold growth.

How Hurricane Damage Is Assessed

When you file a claim for damages, your insurance company relies on a field adjuster to survey the damage to your property. They arrive in person to inspect your house, document the damage, and ask questions about the causes.

Remember: it isn’t in the insurance company’s interest to document the damage as closely as possible. You know better than any adjuster can exactly how a storm affected your property. Make sure to leave all the damage as untouched as possible until the adjuster arrives to see it. Draw their attention to every detail you can and make sure they document them. Pay particular attention to roof damage, which is often hard to access and easy to miss. Send emails to the adjuster to confirm the substance of your interactions and leave a record of their decisions.

The Cost of Hurricane Damage Repairs

The cost to repair the damage from a hurricane will vary dramatically depending on how badly your home or business was hit: from hundreds or thousands of dollars for minor repairs to tens or hundreds of thousands if there’s significant flooding, serious structural damage, or a need for a new roof. Full roof replacement alone costs about $11,500 for an average-sized home, but can range from $6,700 to $80,000 depending on the materials and size of the home.

How To Protect Your Home from Hurricane Damage

Some basic ways to prepare for an oncoming storm or hurricane include:

• Testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Removing debris from your gutters.
• Getting your roof inspected for loose or missing shingles.
• Fortifying doors and windows with shutters or plywood.
• Sealing cracks or holes where wires, pipes, or cables enter or exit the house with caulk, especially near electrical equipment.
• Unplugging electronics and appliances before evacuation.

For a detailed list of ways to prepare yourself and your property for the approach of a hurricane, check out or ebook.

Why Choose Merlin Law Group?

William F. “Chip” Merlin, the founder and president of Merlin Law Group, has dedicated his life to representing and advocating for victims of natural disasters in disputes with insurance companies nationwide. He was dubbed “the Master of Disaster” by the Tampa Bay Times for his work helping policy holders after Hurricane Katrina and named the “Babe Ruth of Hurricane lawyers” by the Asbury Park Press for his efforts on behalf of 23 municipalities and hundreds of policyholders following Superstorm Sandy.

All across the country, from Florida to California, attorneys from Merlin Law Group have represented homeowners, small businesses, farms, school districts, even municipalities — clients who have suffered almost every catastrophe imaginable only to find that their insurer refused to pay what they owed. Together our clients have recovered almost $2 billion in coverage they were denied. If you need assistance with any part of the insurance claims process, call us. As The Policyholder’s Advocate™, we have your back.