Citrus County Hurricane Claim Attorney

CITRUS COUNTY Whittel & Melton, LLC - 352-726-0078
We handle hurricane, storm, wind, and lightning damage claims in Citrus County, including Crystal River, Homosassa, Homosassa Springs, Dunnellon and Sugarmill Woods.

Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause millions of dollars' worth of damage for home and property owners in Citrus County. After Mother Nature destroys your home, commercial building or real estate property, you may feel vulnerable and frustrated. In order to protect your investments, you may have to file a claim with your insurance company. Sadly, insurance companies will often try and reduce or deny property damage claims related to wind, storm, lightning and hurricane damage. Insurance companies may choose to deny a claim for many reasons, but fortunately the Citrus County Hurricane and Storm Damage Claims Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you protect your properties and the safety of your family and guests.

At Whittel & Melton, our lawyers can assist you with your hurricane, storm, lightning or wind damage claim at any stage, whether your claim is new, pending, has been denied or if you need to reopen a previous claim. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to wrongfully deny claims or delay payment for the damage to your property after a natural disaster. They may even try to tell you that your destruction is from pre-existing damage or neglect, and is not covered by your insurance policy. They may offer you inadequate settlements to repair your home or property. When an insurance company fails to properly pay for the damage to your home or property, for which you may have paid premiums for many years, the Crystal River Hurricane & Storm Damage Claims Attorneys can help obtain the maximum value of your claim as quickly as possible.

Florida law clearly states that your homeowner's or commercial property insurance carrier generally must cover any damages to your properties caused by winds, storms, hurricanes or lightning. Florida is known for having severe hurricanes and storm activity, which can easily increase the amount of property damage to your home, business or investment properties. Whether the damage is slight or severe, we can help you receive everything you are entitled to under the law, including any hidden damages.

If you feel that your home or property has been damaged by a hurricane or storm, the insurance company must swiftly investigate the damage. If the adjuster believes there is damage due to a storm, then the insurance company must get written estimates from licensed contractors to repair the damages. Unfortunately, many times the insurance company will hire experts that will perform less than suitable repair estimates. Remember, dealing with your insurance company alone can be harmful to your claim and can result in evaluation delays, inadequate repairs or possible outright denials of your claim.

We understand that dealing with hurricane or storm damage can be very stressful, but it is important for home and property owners to document as much of the damage as possible. Gathering the following information can greatly increase your chances for a successful claim:

• Photograph the Damage. As soon as possible, take pictures of the exterior and interior damage to your property. It is a good idea to photograph possible damage to the foundation or any common structures on the property as well.
• Take Notes when Talking to Insurance Representatives. Any time you speak with an insurance representative regarding your claim, make sure you write down important points discussed and document the name of the person you spoke with.
• Keep copies of Estimates, Invoices and Receipts. Make sure you document any expenses you incur as a result of the damage to your property. In addition to keeping copies of the receipts and invoices for repairs, try and gather your original receipts for personal possessions and keep the receipts for any replacement items you may purchase. Any additional expenses, such as hotel rentals, should also be documented and kept on file.
• Obtain Legal Representation. Insurance companies protect their profits by denying claims. We know the rules and won't let the insurance company bully or intimidate you. The Crystal River Hurricane and Storm Damage Claims Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can deal with the insurance company on your behalf and do whatever it takes to recover just compensation for your losses.

We offer free consultations and always accept hurricane, storm, lightning and wind cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we recover damages on your behalf. We can fully evaluate your claim and identify if you were possibly the victim of a "Bad Faith" negotiating by your insurance company, which could result in you receiving additional compensation for your losses. By contacting us for a complimentary consultation, you have nothing to lose and possibly everything to gain.

We represent clients in all of Citrus County, including the cities of Crystal River, Homosassa, Homosassa Springs, Beverly Hills, Dunnellon and Sugarmill Woods.

Contact Whittel & Melton today online or call 352-726-0078.