You have one year to file your Hurricane Helene Property Damage Claim from the date of the storm.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area near Perry on September 26, 2024, shortly after 11 pm. Making this the most powerful hurricane to make landfall in the area and the second major hurricane to slam into Florida’s Big Bend in the last two years.
Hurricane Helene was a devastating Category 4 Hurricane at the time it made landfall with sustained winds of 140 MPH and gusts coming in at 155 MPH.
Storm surge has inundated several regions along Florida’s West Coast. Dangerous flooding conditions were experienced as far south as the Tampa area in Central Florida.
We still do not know the full extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, but what is known is this storm was immense, powerful, and brought with it a deadly storm surge.
What should you do if your home was damaged by Hurricane Helene?
– Document the Damage
Immediately after the storm (when it’s safe to go outside), take detailed photographs and videos documenting the damage throughout your property. Next, go through your phone’s photo album and try to locate images of your home before Hurricane Helene made landfall. This will help create a clear before and after gallery to submit with your claim as evidence. Powerful and compelling evidence is crucial to getting your claim paid. Insurance companies place the burden of proving how your property was damaged on your shoulders, so you need as much evidence as possible.
– Mitigate Further Losses
To comply with insurance policies, take reasonable and necessary precautions to prevent further damage. This could involve temporary fixes like covering broken windows and securing roofing components to prevent additional interior damage.
We can help you get your home professionally inspected to identify if your property sustained any damage from Hurricane Helene.
Florida laws recently changed, which reduced the window to file a hurricane property damage claim to only a single year. This means if Hurricane Helene passed over your property you should get your home professionally inspected as soon as possible. If you have property damage, then you want to file your claim properly and quickly to help increase your chance of getting a high and fair payout.
Not all damage is easily visible. Wind uplift damage is difficult to spot and many homeowners become aware they have wind uplift damage to their roof during the next year’s rainy season when they begin to notice water stains on their ceiling. This type of damage spreads over time and can result in expensive repair costs.
What happens to your roof when it has wind uplift damage?
Powerful sustained winds or strong and sudden gusts can apply pressure to your roof until the pressure is too much, and the section under pressure moves. This movement is typically and up and down movement that breaks the waterproof seals. Now, with these seals broken, water is able to penetrate inside the roof, causing water damage. Over time, the water damage worsens and spreads to other areas until it’s eventually identified.
You do not want too much time to pass without getting a professional home inspection. Waiting can result in a late claim submission or cause you to miss your window to file a hurricane damage claim for Hurricane Helene.
What type of hurricane property damage is generally covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy?
Every policy is different, but generally, most homeowners insurance policies in Florida provide some form of coverage for the following:
- Roof damage
- Broken doors and windows
- Damage from flying debris
- Wind damage
- Wind-driven water damage
- Mold damage
- Damage to personal items – such as computers and furniture.
- Damaged exterior structures – such as pools, sheds, and fences.
- Structural damage – such as exterior walls and siding materials.
Each insurance policy is unique, so it’s challenging to determine exactly what is covered and what isn’t without examining your specific policy. Furthermore, many insurers incorporate clauses that may limit coverage or exclude certain types of damage, potentially leading to reduced or denied claims.
Our legal team can thoroughly review your policy and help uncover your exact policy coverage.
Contact JT Law Firm for help with your Hurricane Helene property damage claim.
Don’t leave money on the table and never settle when you can win.
A JT Law Firm property damage attorney can help you with your damage claim at any stage in the process. We can even help open your claim to get your claim process started off right from the very beginning.
JT Law Firm operates on a contingency basis, our services require no upfront fees—you only pay if we win your case. Contact us at 855-585-2997 or message us online. for a complimentary consultation.
