One of the most common issues I encounter when representing Florida homeowners relating to property damage caused by a storm or hurricane, is the issue of damage which the homeowner is not aware of for months or even years. Most homeowners in Florida are used to storms and hurricanes, however they do not usually make it a habit to inspect their roof and/or property immediately after the storm or hurricane has passed. In fact, most homeowners will incorrectly assume there is no damage after a storm or hurricane because they do not see any damage with their naked eye. However, consider that roof damage is not usually visible to the untrained eye, and often there is considerable roof damage caused by a storm/hurricane which will only be noticeable by a professional that has completed certain tests during an inspection.
So many times I hear from homeowners that they had no idea they had suffered considerable damage for months or even years after the storm/hurricane has passed, until they start noticing leaks inside their home. The problem is that once those leaks or other signs of roof issues are finally noticeable to the homeowner and the homeowner does the right thing by making a claim with their insurance company, they are met with a denial of the claim based on the homeowner’s delay in making the claim. Even though it sounds incredibly unfair that insurance companies use the fact homeowners were not aware of the damage as a reason to deny the claim, this is exactly what insurance companies do on a regular basis.
For this reason, it is very important that Florida homeowners have their roof and property inspected immediately after a storm or hurricane has passed through their area. That way any damages can be reported as soon as possible to the insurance company, and the “delay in reporting” argument cannot be used by the insurance company as a reason for denial, or as a defense in general.
So, next time there is a storm or hurricane in your area, have your roof and property inspected and tested by a professional as soon as possible. If damages are noted, do not delay in contacting an attorney to discuss your best course of action. You do not want to find yourself in a position to give your insurance company reason to deny your claim due to a delay in reporting!
This blog discusses general scenarios and each policy, claim, and cases are different in their own respect. If you need assistance or have questions about an insurance claim, call one of our experienced attorneys for a free consultation. Call Cohen Law Group at 407-478-4878 to speak with an Attorney about your claim.
Ana Francolin, Esq.
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