Although severe hurricanes are not as common in Maryland as they are farther South along the coastline, they can still cause serious damage when they happen. Since buildings there are not constructed with hurricanes in mind, the damage done during these storms can be catastrophic. When you sustain property damage from a hurricane, you may have many questions about what insurance options you have, how to use that coverage, and what steps you could take to strengthen your potential claim.
Fortunately, help from a Maryland hurricane damage lawyer is available with these and every other aspect of hurricane insurance claims. Whether you need help paying for minor exterior repairs or gaining compensation for extreme losses from flooding and high winds, a capable attorney could play a key role in ensuring you gain the most possible based on your circumstances.
Options for Financial Recovery After a Hurricane
It is important to understand that coverage for damage caused by hurricanes or other severe storms is rarely included in a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. Instead, homeowners must purchase a separate policy covering this type of damage or opt into it within their base policy for an extra surcharge. With that in mind, it is also vital to check exactly what type of hurricane damage a specific policy applies to. For example, whether the plan explicitly covers wind damage, flood damage, both, or neither could be crucial to your ability to recover for any related losses.
Additionally, an insurance policy may offer compensation when a hurricane damages a motor vehicle parked on property occupied by the policyholder. It is also worth noting that Maryland is one of 19 states that have deductibles for this type of hurricane damage and a local attorney could explain further depending on your circumstances.
Maximizing the Value of a Hurricane Damage Claim
Even when a homeowner has insurance coverage that should go into effect after a hurricane, their provider will only pay for damages that the policyholder can prove they sustained as a direct consequence of the storm. Establishing this can be substantially more complicated and evidence-intensive than most people might expect. For example, in addition to taking photos of exterior damage caused by a severe storm, it can also be essential to have photos showing what the affected areas of the claimant’s property looked like before the storm. This is because an insurance company might otherwise argue that the damage could have predated the hurricane and would not be eligible for coverage.
It is also crucial to be thorough when identifying and valuating property that was damaged or lost in a hurricane, this includes interior fixtures, personal items, family heirlooms, and photo albums. This should happen before filing a claim since a claimant typically only gets one chance to file. Guidance from a seasoned hurricane damage attorney in Maryland can help to ensure that this process is as smooth as possible to get a successful outcome.
Seek Help from a Maryland Hurricane Damage Attorney
Even a Category 1 hurricane can have winds up to 95 miles per hour, which can damage everything in its path. Recovering financially from the effects of a storm like this can be critical to preserving your quality of life. However, fighting insurance companies to get the compensation you deserve can feel overwhelming.
Help from a Maryland hurricane damage lawyer can greatly increase your chances of securing fair restitution, achieving a positive resolution, and minimizing stress surrounding the situation. Call today for a free case evaluation.
