Hurricane Ian made history as one of the strongest storms to ever make landfall in Florida.
With maximum wind gusts reaching an unfathomable 150 mph, everyone in the path of the storm likely felt its wrath.
In the aftermath, you may be wondering whether it’s time to contact a Hurricane Ian claim lawyer or attempt to navigate the cleanup on your own. Below, we’ll help you make an informed decision on how to proceed by giving you a few examples of situations that warrant the use of a Hurricane Ian attorney.
1. Your Insurance is Disputing Your Claims
The number one sign that you need a hurricane Ian lawyer is that your insurance provider is disputing your insurance claim. All too often providers will attempt to downplay or dismiss a hurricane damage claim. For instance, insurers might attempt to blame flood damage for your losses to avoid paying out on a homeowner’s insurance policy. If you didn’t also have flood coverage, then there’s a chance your provider will dispute your claim.
2. Your Insurance Denied Your Claim in Bad Faith
Rather than disputing your claims, your insurance company might attempt to deny it completely. If your damage claim gets unfairly denied, then that’s a sign that it’s time to hire a Hurricane Ian claim attorney. A lawyer will help you stand up for your rights and get your insurance company to treat you fairly. Remember, your insurance provider is obligated by law to investigate your claim in good faith.
3. Your Insurance Provider is Offering You a Low Value Settlement
At the end of the day, your insurance provider wants to make a profit, so they have an incentive to offer you low-value settlements. If you feel like your insurer isn’t being reasonable or fair with their offers, then that’s a sign that you should hire an attorney.
4. You’ll Have to Negotiate with Your Insurer
You also might want to consider hiring a Hurricane Ian damage attorney if you’ll have to negotiate with your insurer. Negotiations with adjusters and insurers can be tricky because you might not be well-versed on the policy terms, laws, your rights, and the obligations of your insurer. Hiring an attorney to do the negotiations for you can be a massive advantage.
5. Your Insurance Provider Ghosted You
As if getting ghosted by potential romantic partners wasn’t enough, in 2022 you also have to worry about ghosting from your insurance provider! If your insurer suddenly stops responding to your phone calls, emails, or deadlines, then you may have legal recourse if they’re acting in bad faith.
6. Your Insurance Provider Wants You to Admit Fault
Another situation that warrants the use of an attorney is when your insurance provider wants you to admit some fault. When you’re seeking out a claim, you shouldn’t admit fault when it’s actually the fault of Hurricane Ian.
7. You Feel Unheard
At any point in the process, if you feel unheard or unrepresented, then that’s a clear sign that you need to consult with a Hurricane Ian claim lawyer. Don’t make the mistake of accepting a negotiation simply because you’re not in a position of power. A lawyer can level the playing field quickly.
8. Your Provider Claims You Aren’t Covered
When your insurer attempts to say that your policy didn’t cover your damage, then that’s a clear sign that you need to hire an attorney. A good lawyer will be skilled at going over all your contracts and plans to find proof that the losses you endured are ultimately covered under your policy.
9. You Were Told Not to Hire an Attorney
If your insurance provider asked or advised you not to hire a Hurricane Ian damage lawyer, then that’s almost a sure guarantee that you should consult with an attorney before accepting any settlement or deal. Remember – your provider has their bottom line and best interests in heart not yours. If you want fair representation, then it might be best to have a third-party attorney go over the settlement first.
10. Your Insurer Asks You to Sign a Release
Finally, you should reach out to an attorney if your provider wants you to sign a release before providing you with a settlement. Always have a lawyer review the document before you sign it to ensure that you’re not giving up the right to seek out a claim or limiting a future claim.
10 Signs You Need to Contact a Hurricane Ian Damage Lawyer
If you’re experiencing one or more of the situations above, then it might make the most sense to get in touch with a Hurricane Ian damage attorney to learn more about your options. If you’re interested in scheduling a consultation regarding your situation, then The Landau Law Group is ready to help. Contact our office now to get in touch!
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