Experienced Hurricane Damage Attorneys Serving Orlando and Central Florida
When a hurricane impacts Central Florida, the aftermath can be overwhelming—especially when insurance companies delay, underpay, or deny valid claims. Working with an experienced Orlando hurricane damage attorney can help you navigate Florida’s complex insurance laws, meet critical deadlines, and pursue the full compensation your policy promises while you focus on repairing your home or business.
Hurricane damage claims often involve layered disputes over wind versus water damage, roof failures, code compliance, and additional living expenses. Insurance policies are technical documents, and Florida statutes impose strict timelines on both homeowners and insurers. Having legal guidance can make the difference between a stalled claim and a fair resolution.
Understanding Hurricane Damage Claims in Orlando
Orlando and the surrounding Central Florida region experience hurricanes differently than coastal areas, but damage can be just as severe. High winds, prolonged rain, falling trees, and pressure changes can compromise roofs, windows, siding, and interiors—even without storm surge.
Insurance companies may attempt to minimize payouts by:
- Attributing damage to wear and tear
- Disputing causation between wind and rain
- Undervaluing repair estimates
- Ignoring required code upgrades
An Orlando hurricane damage lawyer helps counter these tactics by aligning your evidence, estimates, and claim strategy with Florida insurance law and your policy language.
Florida Hurricane Claim Deadlines You Must Follow
Florida law imposes strict reporting deadlines for hurricane-related property claims. Missing these deadlines can jeopardize your ability to recover benefits—even for legitimate damage.
Key Reporting Timeframes
- Initial or reopened hurricane claim: Must be reported within one year of the storm’s official landfall date
- Supplemental hurricane claim: Must be filed within 18 months of landfall
The “date of loss” for hurricanes is determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), not when you discover damage. This is especially important in Orlando, where roof leaks or structural issues may appear months later.
An attorney can help ensure all claims and supplements are submitted on time and properly documented.
The 60-Day Insurance Decision Rule in Florida
Florida law also places obligations on insurance companies. Once an insurer receives notice of a residential property claim, it must pay or deny the claim, in whole or in part, within 60 days, unless factors beyond its control prevent a decision.
If your claim lingers without explanation, this rule becomes a powerful leverage point. This is where we can demand written explanations, cite statutory violations, and escalate unresolved delays. Insurers must also acknowledge communications and provide written reasons for any denial or partial payment.
Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights
After you first contact your insurer about a hurricane claim, Florida law requires the carrier to send you a Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights within 14 days. This document summarizes your rights, including:
- Timely claim acknowledgment
- Status updates upon request
- Access to mediation and other dispute options
If you do not receive this notice, you can request it in writing. An attorney can help ensure the insurer follows these procedural requirements.
Coverage Issues Common in Orlando Hurricane Claims
Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value
Most Florida homeowners carry replacement cost coverage, but insurers may initially pay only actual cash value, withholding depreciation. Understanding how and when depreciation is recoverable is essential to maximizing your payout.
Hurricane Deductibles
Hurricane claims are typically subject to a percentage-based deductible, calculated from your dwelling coverage limit—not a flat dollar amount. In Orlando, this deductible can represent a significant out-of-pocket expense, making accurate valuation even more important.
Law and Ordinance (Code Upgrade) Coverage
Florida building codes frequently change, especially for things like roof attachments, wind resistance standards, and windows and doors. If repairs must meet updated codes, ordinance or law coverage may pay for the increased costs. Insurers often resist these payments, making contractor documentation and legal advocacy critical.
Documenting Hurricane Damage Effectively
Strong documentation is the foundation of a successful hurricane claim. Recommended steps include:
- Photo and video walkthroughs immediately after the storm
- Temporary repair records to prevent further damage
- Written estimates from licensed professionals
- A communication log of adjuster calls, emails, and portal submissions
Your hurricane damage attorney will organize this evidence into a clear, chronological claim file that supports both causation and cost.
Dispute Resolution Options for Orlando Policyholders
When an insurer undervalues or disputes your claim, Florida law offers several resolution paths.
Appraisal
Many policies include appraisal clauses for disputes over the amount of loss. Each side selects an appraiser, and an umpire resolves disagreements. Legal guidance ensures appraisal is used strategically and not prematurely.
State-Sponsored Mediation
Florida provides a no-cost mediation program for residential property claims. Mediation can encourage settlement without litigation when both parties participate in good faith.
Pre-Suit Notice of Intent
Before filing a lawsuit, Florida law requires policyholders to submit a Notice of Intent to Initiate Litigation at least 10 business days in advance. This notice often prompts renewed negotiations and may resolve disputes without court involvement.
Deadlines continue to apply during these processes, so timing remains critical.
Assignment of Benefits (AOB) Considerations
Florida’s AOB rules have changed significantly. Many newer policies restrict or prohibit post-loss assignments to contractors. Before signing any repair agreement:
- Review your policy’s AOB language
- Understand payment direction provisions
- Avoid contracts that limit your claim control
An attorney can review contractor agreements and help you avoid unintended consequences that complicate your hurricane claim.
Additional Living Expenses and Personal Property Claims
If hurricane damage makes your Orlando home uninhabitable, additional living expense (ALE) coverage may reimburse temporary housing, increased food costs, and storage expenses. Maintain receipts and compare storm-related expenses to your normal monthly costs.
For personal property losses, a room-by-room inventory with photos, purchase dates (if known), and replacement values can accelerate claim resolution—especially when replacement cost coverage applies.
How an Orlando Hurricane Damage Attorney Helps
An experienced attorney from Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. will:
- Confirm deadlines and ensure timely filing
- Analyze policy language, deductibles, and exclusions
- Assemble evidence supporting scope and valuation
- Challenge improper denials or delays
- Select the best dispute strategy—appraisal, mediation, or pre-suit notice and litigation
If an examination under oath or recorded statement is requested, legal preparation helps protect your rights and avoid misstatements.
Why Choose Kuhn Raslavich, P.A.?
Insurance carriers respond to well-documented claims grounded in statute and policy language. Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. brings a disciplined, deadline-driven approach to Orlando hurricane damage claims, working alongside licensed contractors and professionals who understand Florida code requirements.
Clients benefit from clear communication, written follow-ups and strategic escalation when insurers stall. Our goal is to move your claim forward efficiently and lawfully toward a fair outcome.
Speak With an Orlando Hurricane Damage Attorney
Recovering after a hurricane in Orlando requires more than submitting a claim—it requires understanding deadlines, coverage nuances, and dispute tools available under Florida law. An Orlando hurricane damage attorney at Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. can help you protect your rights and pursue the benefits your policy provides.
Contact us today through our online form or call 877-352-7767 to schedule a consultation.
How Kuhn Raslavich Builds Leverage in South Florida
Documentation wins claims. Kuhn Raslavich will gather pre-loss photos, permit histories, moisture readings, expert reports, and line-item estimates to tell a coherent story grounded in the policy’s language. Our team can convert that story into a demand that anticipates the carrier’s pushbacks.
Process control creates pressure. Our firm will calendar statutory deadlines, request claim file notes when available, and maintain written follow-ups on a predictable schedule. We will tie every delay to the statute and remind the carrier of its obligations under Florida law.
Results come from preparation. When the file provides credible support for cause, scope, and price, carriers have fewer excuses to cut or delay payment. A prepared attorney with our firm will present that support at the appraisal or in court if negotiation fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a hurricane damage claim in Florida?
Policyholders must report an initial or reopened hurricane claim within one year of landfall and a supplemental claim within 18 months.
How long does my insurance company have to decide my claim?
Insurers generally must pay or deny a residential property claim within 60 days of receiving notice, subject to limited exceptions.
What if my hurricane claim is denied or underpaid?
Florida allows alternative dispute resolution options such as appraisal and state-sponsored mediation, and requires a pre-suit notice before litigation.
Reasons To Call Kuhn Raslavich
If you have suffered property damage as a result of water damage, fire, hail, or hurricane, CALL KUHN RASLAVICH FIRST…not your insurance carrier. Kuhn Raslavich charges no fees unless you get paid! We will deal with the insurance company on your behalf so you do not have to worry about setting up a claim or getting paid adequately. As an illustration of why hiring Kuhn Raslavich would be beneficial, consider this common occurrence:
- A hurricane badly damages your home.
- You call your insurance carrier who sends out one of their own adjusters to estimate the amount of damage.
- You accept the amount estimated by the insurance carrier, not knowing that it is extremely undervalued because the insurance company is trying to pay the least amount possible to settle your claim.
- As a result, you do not have enough money to repair your home properly.
We will come to your home and estimate the true value of the damage, which is often much greater than what the insurance company has determined. We will then gather all necessary paperwork and submit the claim to your insurance company. Once submitted, we help you along step by step and negotiate the claim in an effort to maximize your recovery.
Since filing a homeowner’s insurance claim is not a common occurrence, many homeowners do not know where to start. Many believe that their insurance company works for them, and is looking out for their best interest; however, insurers DO NOT represent homeowners and ARE NOT looking out for their best interest. Insurers are FOR PROFIT CORPORATIONS that are trying to pay the least amount possible to resolve claims.