Property Damage In Orlando Hurricanes

The entire Sunshine State is gorgeous and Orlando is no exception. After all, we have Disneyland! However, living in the state of Florida isn’t all smooth sailing. 

In fact, Florida doesn’t only have the biggest vacation resort in the world, it’s also the number one US state most prone to hurricanes.

For new Orlando homeowners, having their property damaged during such a storm is usually the main concern.

To put your mind at ease, we offer you some good news about Orlando hurricanes and break down the process of filing a claim for this type of damage.

Hopefully, by the end, you’ll go to bed without hurricanes on your mind.

Are Orlando Hurricanes That Common?

Spoiler alert: Orlando is relatively safe when compared to coastal parts of Florida.

But… Orlando is in Florida and Florida has a hurricane season so how does that fit the definition of safe? Aren’t hurricanes so common here we even give them quirky names (still waiting for a hurricane to be named Shakira)?

Simple - Orlando is in the center of the state, which means the coastline is about 60 miles away. Coastline cities such as Fort Myers usually take the brunt of the damage, meaning that by the time the storm reaches Orlando, it loses a lot of the scare factor and mostly provides a reason to stay indoors due to heavy rainfall. 

Fun fact: coastal areas usually evacuate to Orlando since it’s safer than staying put. 

Nevertheless, not all is sunshine and rainbows in The City Beautiful. As we’ve seen with the recent Hurricane Ian, the danger of these storms is significantly ramping up.

The Hidden Danger Of Orlando Hurricanes

The bad news is that these storms are only getting worse. For instance, in 2020, there were 13 hurricanes and 30 named storms. The same year we also saw water levels rise to insane proportions in areas such as south and even central Florida.

While Orlando hurricanes aren’t that destructive, there is always a possibility that rain and wind will cause major damage to property, which might require emergency management services.

We know what you’re thinking: your home might not be totaled and you pay for your home insurance premiums every month, so your insurance is going to cover it. That means you’re good, right?

Not quite. 

During hurricane Ian, Central Florida was hit by catastrophic amounts of floodwater. Usually, this isn’t a problem, but for people who live in central Florida, it was. This is because the usual homeowner’s insurance policy doesn’t cover water damage. To receive compensation for water damages in Florida, you need to have a separate flood insurance policy. 

A Quick Word On Insurance

Even though Orlando hurricanes never hit with full force, you should still ensure that your property insurance covers all types of damage. For example, you want a policy that covers hail, wind, and water damage to your home or property. 

Your insurance policy should also cover any damage to personal items, including damage from storm-related flooding and mildew.

Furthermore, your insurance should cover any costs stemming from the removal of debris, as well as any costs incurred for additional living expenses in case your home was rendered inhospitable.

How To Strengthen Your Insurance Claim

In order to safeguard yourself from any type of damage caused by local storms, you should do the following steps to make sure you can recover financially.

Sometimes, even if you have the necessary coverage, your insurance claim might still get denied or underpaid. To minimize the chance of this happening, there are some steps you should take to strengthen your claim and recover the damages to your property.

It all starts before the hurricane even hits. Most people are worried about their safety and usually stockpile canned goods, but since Orlando is inland, you have some extra time to list down all your property. 

This might include valuables, clothing, appliances, artwork, and almost anything else you own that has value. You should also write down a value estimate that includes brand names and serial numbers with corresponding photos and see to it that you keep all your receipts in a safe location.

This might help strengthen your claim and result in faster resolution.

After the storm subsides, you should spring into action right away. The first is contacting your insurer and the agent who sold you your water damage policy. Insurance companies send adjusters to determine the damage and you want this to happen as soon as possible. 

Before the adjuster arrives, you should assess the damage yourself. Take photos of the damage to both the exterior and interior parts of your home. Visually document any damaged items (electronics, personal belongings, etc.) and if possible, find the receipts.

Before the adjuster arrives, you also should make immediate repairs such as covering damaged areas with a tarp to avoid further damage.

Following Orlando hurricanes, most people are shocked when their claims are underpaid or outright denied. Sadly, this occurs all the time.

For instance, the insurance company might claim your damages are excluded partially under your policy or even refuse to pay you under one coverage category.

Preparation Is Key

When all is said and done, Orlando hurricanes can still cause significant damage to your home. While your roof might not be destroyed, water damage such as the one during the recent Hurricane Ian can leave you having to do costly repairs.

This is why you should prepare extensively for this possibility by purchasing water damage coverage and keeping track of all your items and receipts.

If all fails, you might have to hire an insurance claim lawyer if your claim is denied and you’re unable to cover the damages.

You also shouldn’t wait for your claim to get denied to hire someone who can help you. You can increase your chances of a favorable outcome from the get-go by hiring an insurance adjuster. While the insurance company will send an insurance adjuster, you can also hire one of your own. 

These professionals can help you with the claims process and ensure your living conditions are restored to normal as soon as possible.