When Your Business Cannot Reopen After The Storm
One of the hardest hit areas near Irma’s landfall was Goodland, Florida, where the hurricane not only damaged properties, but permanently “condemned” several businesses, including several local restaurants. As a result, many businesses now have to look for new locations, and some are even collecting donations to rebuild in the community. While many Floridians have committed themselves to helping some of their favorite establishments reopen by donating funds, many others wonder why these restaurants are facing hard times like these, given that all of them had insurance policies. Isn’t rebuilding as simple as filing an insurance claim? Hurricane Insurance Claim Challenges Many who suffered damages from the recent storms felt that they had done their due diligence by having homeowners or windstorm coverage, as well as flood insurance. However, having the insurance is just the beginning: filing the claims can turn into a full-time job, as business owners find themselves having to document every single loss and trying to negotiate fair settlements. Trying to do so with the assistance of an insurance attorney can inevitably spell lower payouts and difficulty getting back on your feet again. In addition, many restaurant businesses found that there were thousands of dollars in food costs that were not covered by insurance. Restaurant owners and other businesses are not alone: Florida’s agriculture industry reportedly suffered more than $2.5 billion in losses due to the storm, warranting a “secretarial natural disaster” designation. It is important to note that this designation makes farmers eligible for very specific insurance programs and emergency loans, but they have a limited window within which to apply for these opportunities. Tourism businesses also experienced their fair share of damage. What about Business Affected By Housing? Irma could leave behind delayed effects on several markets in Florida, including the real estate market, which inevitably affects businesses as well. Just following the storm’s recent blow to Central Florida, home sales dropped 30 to 40 percent in one month in Orlando alone. Foreclosures have also been on the rise, which then affects home prices as they start to hit the market. Unfortunately, both businesses and homeowners are hit by rising building material costs and continued labor shortages in construction, as well as higher utility costs. Attorneys versus Public Insurance Adjusters It is important to remember that while insurance company adjusters represent the interests of the insurance company, your attorney and any professional adjusters they work with are tasked with representing you. This is especially important if your insurance company is informing you that the damage exceeds your insurance limits (based upon how the damage has been classified by the company). Attorneys are in a better position to negotiate with the insurance company when it comes how the damage has been classified. Without a background in insurance law, simply hiring a public adjuster may place you in a situation where you cannot effectively advocate receiving additional funds under the policy. Florida Attorneys Working To Help Businesses If your business was damaged in the storm, don’t waste time in ensuring that you receive help from your insurance claim in rebuilding. The Tampa corporate lawyers at HD Law Partners have significant experience with assisting business owners with their claims. Contact us today to find out how we can help you get back in business. Resources: https://naplesnews.com/story/news/columnists/tim-aten-in-the-know/2017/10/16/hurricane-irma-some-area-restaurants-not-reopened-after-storm/764546001 https://usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2017/09/14/when-use-public-adjuster-hurricane-insurance-claims/666392001 https://tampabay.com/news/local-farmers-may-get-loans-to-help-with-hurricane-irma-damage/2341254 https://palmbeachpost.com/news/state–regional/after-hurricane-irma-keys-tourism-push-includes-images-damage/6WFb5L4186AL7hQxtnotbJ https://orlandosentinel.com/classified/realestate/os-bz-orlando-home-sales-20171013-story.html Tags: Florida Business Insurance Law, Tampa Business Lawyer, Tampa Business Lawyers Posted in Business Corporate, Business Insurance Law | No Comments » Connect with us Archives May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 July 2025 June 2025 January 2025 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 November 13 Categories Alimony Appellate Arbitration Auto Accidents Auto Insurance Business Corporate Business Insurance Law Child Custody Child Support Criminal Law Divorce Family Law FEMA Insurance Payments Florida’s Mandatory 2‑Hour Legal Professionalism CLE: Foreclosure Defense Fort Myers Hurricane Insurance Attorney General Guardianship HD Law Partners Service HOA/Property Management Homeowners Association Homeowners Insurance Hurricane Claims Hurricane Insurance Insurance Bad Faith Insurance Claims Insurance Defense Insurance Litigation Landlord Tenant Law Enforcement Liability Loan Modifications Mold Water Damage Parental Rights Paternity Personal Injury Premises Liability Law Prenuptial Agreements Private Security Property Distribution Property Owner Law Sarasota Insurance Litigation Attorney Slip Fall Tampa Business and Corporate Attorneys tampa family attorney Tampa Insurance Attorneys Timeshare Timesharing Uncategorized HD Law Partners is proud to be your trusted full-service law firm Quick Links Property & Casualty Business & Corporate Litigation Family Law Contact Us Careers Get In Touch 2002 North Lois Avenue Suite 510 Tampa, FL 33607 813-253-5333 Contact Us