Florida Legislature Tackling Hurricane Issues
Following the significant damage that Hurricane Irma inflicted on the state of Florida, storm damage and recovery is a major priority on the Florida legislature’s agenda this year. The session opened on January 9th, with the Florida House focusing on storm preparations and recovery, and the Senate on economic damage. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hurricane Irma caused $50 billion total in damages, with more than $7 billion in property damage claims filed in Florida alone. Hurricane Victims & Unfair Treatment by Insurers As discussed by a Forbes article, homeowners and others in Florida filing claims from Hurricane Irma can continue to “expect storm clouds ahead” in terms of these claims being fairly addressed. Most of the claims related to Hurricane Irma are linked to wind damage; specifically: 300,000 for wind and an estimated 150,000 for flood damage, totaling around $40 billion for these alone. Insurers have reportedly been steadily increasing hurricane wind coverage deductibles and setting new limits on payouts, shifting much of the cost onto the homeowner in the form of a clause or phrase buried in the paperwork that those purchasing the policies likely did not know about. These clauses are known as “anti-concurrent causation clauses,” which remove coverage for wind damage if an “uninsured flood” occurs at the same time, and they are virtually impossible to find and comprehend within insurance policies. Another hurdle many are facing involves insolvent insurers; companies that went under prior to Hurricane Irma, which necessitate those who had policies with them and suffered loss to file a claim with the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association. Hurricane Issues Being Considered For Change Within the Florida legislature, the specially-formed committee on hurricanes plans to vote on the approximately 80 recommendations referred for legislation in mid-January. Some of those recommendations relate to: State transportation officials studying how to strategically locate petroleum distribution centers so that residents are less likely to experience gasoline shortages before, during, and after storms; Directing the Public Service Commission to assess strengthening power grids by placing more lines underground to avoid outages caused by hurricanes; Providing for shorter evacuation options; Making backup generators mandatory at assisted-living and nursing home facilities; Forming a statewide registry of special needs shelters and similar facilities so as to ensure that the state’s most vulnerable residents are assisted during a storm; and Assisting industries hit especially hard during storms, such as the citrus industry; amongst others. Florida Hurricane Insurance Claim Lawyers The Florida hurricane claim attorneys of HD Law Partners have decades of experience helping Florida citizens with claims related to flood, wind, and hurricane damage. If you have come across an ambiguous clause that is being used by your insurer to deny your claim or provide for inadequate payments, you should contact an attorney right away. We can assist you in ensuring that you and your family are protected. Resources: dothaneagle.com/jcfloridan/news/politics/florida-legislature-has-many-hurricane-issues-to-consider/article_eb311cb6-fa54-11e7-8d0c-d7c02b27acdd.html forbes.com/sites/dianahembree/2017/09/13/fighting-for-a-fair-insurance-claim-payment-after-hurricane-irma/#81a497463186 Tags: Florida Hurricane Claim Attorney, Florida Hurricane Claim Attorneys, Hurricane Claims Posted in FEMA Insurance Payments, Homeowners Insurance, Hurricane Claims | 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