Nine Months After Hurricane Michael, More Than 20,000 Hurricane Claims Go Unpaid
According to Florida officials, even though it has been nine-ten months since hurricane Michael struck, insurance companies have left more than 20,000 claims unpaid, which represents approximately 15 percent of all claims associated with the storm. This is shocking, given that, Florida law dictates that insurance companies are supposed to pay claims within 90 days of being filed (unless those claims are contested). Those who suffered losses due to Michael suffered approximately $4.5 billion, totaling more than 130,000 claims and some businesses are estimating that it could take three to five years before the region is considered fully restored; in large part due to insurance payment delays. Part of the problem also involves insurance companies sending an initial amount, and then sending the remaining portion of funds later, when, at that point, contractors and workers are often unavailable to do the restoration work necessary. In addition, there is no question that insurance companies have been exceedingly slow when it comes to sending payments after the disaster, with Florida homeowners frequently receiving payments that are far too small or delayed and even having their calls go unanswered. Bay County Especially Hard Hit Most-all of the unresolved claims (an estimated 74 percent) linked to Michael are in Bay County. In addition, a number of claims have also been artificially labeled “closed” when in fact they are still unresolved and awaiting disputes. Many estimate that a number of the insurance companies are doing this in an effort to appear responsible to the state of Florida. Obligation Under the Law By law, insurance companies should (genuinely) be doing everything that they can to resolve all remaining open claims associated with hurricane Michael. And their obligation doesn’t just involve claims related to Michael: Under Florida law, policyholders have three years after a hurricane first lands to file, supplement, and/or reopen a claim. This means that policyholders still have more time to report Hurricane Irma claims as well. Keep This in Mind for This Year’s Hurricane Season The following are important steps to take to maximize your insurance recovery after a storm: Provide prompt notice – in writing – to your insurance company. Include a basic description of the loss and your contact information; Prepare your proof of loss. Include all documentation of property damaged – photographs, receipts, videos, etc. Make sure that you include an inventory of assets if you previously prepared one; and Keep track of all of your communications with the insurance company. If This Affects You, Contact Our Florida Hurricane Claim Insurance Attorneys If you claim is uncontested and is still open, this is legally problematic and you should speak with one of our Fort Myers hurricane insurance claim denial attorneys at HD Law Partners right away to find out how we can help. Be wary of insurance companies that are purposely slowing the process so that you will give up on your claim or accept whatever you are provided with; even if it is not enough. Resources: miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article233169061.html.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2019/08/01/534461.htm.newsherald.com/news/20190802/bulk-of-open-hurricane-michael-insurance-claims-in-bay-county wlrn.org/post/small-businesses-still-struggle-recover-hurricane-michael Posted in Insurance Litigation | 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