Naples Hurricane Claims Litigation Attorney

Vernon Litigation Group was established in Collier County over a decade ago with a vision to take on the biggest insurance, investment, and banking companies of the world on behalf of the law firm’s clients in Southwest Florida. The attorneys at Vernon Litigation Group have grown up in Collier County, worked in law enforcement in Collier County, or attended school and started their careers in Collier County. The Founder, Chris Vernon, a Florida Native, has practiced law in Collier County for 30 years as well as served the Naples community extensively through leadership roles in Southwest Florida with non-profits as well as political appointments. With Vernon Litigation Group, you will receive a free and confidential hurricane claim evaluation by an experienced attorney. Don’t go against big insurance companies alone.

In Florida, hurricane insurance is critical for any residential or commercial property owner. While many homeowners’ insurance policies include coverage for wind damage caused by hurricanes as part of their standard coverage, some homeowners may need to purchase additional coverage in the form of a hurricane or wind endorsement. Additionally, standard commercial property insurance is often not enough to cover potential hurricane damages to businesses. Both residential and commercial property owners will need to purchase special flood insurance to cover hurricane-related flooding.

Unfortunately, even when property owners have the correct coverage for hurricanes and other issues, such as pipe leaks, back-ups, and any type of potential calamity, insurance providers do not always honor their customers’ policies. If you are having difficulty with an insurance claim of any type, have had your claim denied, or are engaged in a dispute with your insurance carrier, it is important that you reach out to an experienced attorney who can help you protect your rights.

Continue reading to learn how our Naples hurricane insurance claims attorneys can help you with your insurance dispute, or contact us directly at (239) 319-4434 for a free consultation.

HOAs and COAs

If you manage a condo HOA board, or you are a property manager, our legal team can review your HOA policies before you discuss anything with your insurance company. We help can ensure that your policies adequately cover hurricane-related damages Our team can also provide guidance on navigating insurance claims in these situations.

We also aid COA directors and board members in understanding the complexities of insurance coverage. Our team is here to help with any legal issues that may arise during the claims process. We are here to help ensure that your HOA or COA is properly protected and equipped to handle any hurricane-related situations that may arise.

Common Legal Issues After a Hurricane

A hurricane can bring on a range of legal concerns, including:

• Insurance Claims – Many homeowners and business owners face pushback from insurance companies when filing claims after a hurricane. Delayed payments, denied claims, and underpaid settlements are common problems. We help ensure your insurer honors the policy and compensates you fairly for storm-related damage.
• Property Damage Disputes – When hurricanes cause significant damage, disagreements may arise between property owners and contractors. Whether it’s a contractor failing to meet standards or performing incomplete repairs, we can protect your rights and hold the responsible parties accountable.
• Business Interruption – Business owners may need legal assistance if their operations are interrupted by the storm. This could include filing claims for lost revenue, negotiating leases, or dealing with employee-related issues due to the storm.
• FEMA Assistance and Appeals – If your application for federal disaster assistance through FEMA is denied or underfunded, our legal team can assist with filing appeals or disputing the decision to help you get the support you need.

Commercial Property Hurricane Insurance in Florida

Florida business owners should also purchase comprehensive hurricane insurance to protect their investments. In addition to standard commercial property coverage—which covers things like damage to tools, equipment, electronics, inventory, and structural damage (if your business owns the structure)—business owners can elect additional types of coverage.

Common forms of commercial coverage for hurricane insurance in Florida include:

• Extra Expense Coverage
  Extra expense coverage helps cover the additional costs your business may incur to continue operating or quickly resume operations after a hurricane.
• Debris Removal Coverage
  Debris removal coverage helps cover the costs associated with removing debris caused by a hurricane, including the removal of damaged structures or property.
• Commercial Flood Insurance
  While standard hurricane insurance covers wind damage, it does not cover flood damage. You must obtain commercial flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). With commercial flood insurance, you can insure your property up to $500,000 in structural and commercial property coverage for flooding and related water damage.
• Ingress and Egress Coverage
  In the event that your business is inaccessible to customers due to blocked roads or other hurricane issues, ingress and egress coverage can help cover the resulting loss of income. 
• Business Interruption Coverage
  This type of coverage helps protect against lost income and ongoing expenses in the event that your business is unable to operate due to hurricane damage.
• Equipment Breakdown Coverage
  This coverage protects against the costs of repairing or replacing essential equipment that experiences a mechanical or electrical breakdown during a hurricane.

Residential Property Hurricane Insurance in Florida

Homeowners, mobile homeowners, condo owners, and renters in Florida have several options when it comes to selecting hurricane insurance:

• Homeowners and Mobile Homeowners: You may need a special hurricane endorsement on your homeowners’ insurance policy, and you will need to purchase separate flood insurance to be covered for water-related damage caused by a hurricane. Review your policy and make sure it covers damage to the structure of your home, as well as your personal property inside.
• Condo Owners: If you rent or own a condo, you do not have to obtain insurance for damage to the outside of your home. Your condo association’s insurance, which you pay for via your HOA fees, covers damage to the actual structure of the building. But you are responsible for any in-home damage. It is a good idea, therefore, to have a solid condominium insurance policy to protect against damage to your floors, ceilings, interior walls, and personal belongings.
• Renters: Similar to condo owners, renters are only responsible for internal damage after a hurricane. However, renters do not have to cover damage to interior structures; they only need to cover damage to their personal belongings. Your landlord’s insurance policy will cover hurricane damage to the structure itself, as well as damage to the inside of the building.

Hurricane insurance also covers damage to your vehicle in most cases. If you are leasing your vehicle or still making payments on it, your lender has likely required hurricane insurance as part of your comprehensive coverage. If you own your vehicle outright, you can elect to add hurricane insurance to your policy.

Hurricane Insurance Disputes & What You Can Do

After an event such as a hurricane or other issue, you rely on your residential or commercial property insurance to help you pick up the pieces. But when your insurance provider undervalues or even outright denies your claim, what options do you have?

At Vernon Litigation Group, we represent clients in a wide range of hurricane insurance disputes and litigation, including but not limited to:

• Undervalued/devalued claims
• Delayed payment
• Denied claims
• Denial of coverage
• Replacement damages
• Deductible issues
• Financial disputes

When an insurance provider fails to uphold a policy, this is known as acting in bad faith. You have the right to take legal action against insurance companies acting in bad faith, and our Naples hurricane claims litigation lawyers can help.

How We Can Help

In the aftermath of a hurricane, our legal team is ready to assist Florida residents with their storm-related legal needs. Whether you are dealing with an insurance company that is dragging its feet or facing disputes over property damage repairs, we will advocate for your rights and fight for a fair outcome. You don't have to face these challenges alone—our attorneys are well-versed in Florida hurricane law and will work tirelessly on your behalf.

Contact Us for a Free, No-Obligation Consultation

At Vernon Litigation Group, we have over a decade of experience representing clients in complex financial and insurance litigation matters. Our team understands the challenges you are facing, as well as what is needed to go up against the insurance company. We recognize that time is of the essence, which is why we work quickly to get your claim paid in a timely manner. While our goal is always to resolve insurance disputes as efficiently as possible, this is not always possible. When necessary, our attorneys are fully prepared to represent you at trial.

If you are facing any challenges in filing your claim, getting your claim paid, or appealing a denied hurricane insurance claim, get in touch with our experienced and aggressive hurricane insurance attorneys today. We are happy to meet with you to discuss your specific concerns and provide a detailed, personalized legal strategy tailored to your goals. We can start a new claim process for you or takeover one you have currently started. We'll provide a free loss evaluation report and a tailored presentation to your insurance company.

Note: the statute of limitations to report a hurricane claim in Florida is two years.Resources

• https://www.fema.gov/disaster/hurricane-ian
• https://www.bbb.org/

Give us a call at (239) 319-4434 or fill out and submit an online contact form today to request a free and private consultation.