We Protect The People.
When Hurricane Isaias struck the Florida Gulf Coast in October 2026, homeowners and business owners faced the overwhelming task of assessing property damage, protecting their homes, and navigating the insurance claims process.
At The People’s Law Team, PA, we understand that suffering hurricane damage is stressful enough without having to fight your own insurance company to obtain the benefits you purchased and paid for in expensive premiums.
Insurance companies have adjusters, investigators, engineers, and attorneys protecting their interests. You deserve experienced legal representation protecting yours.
Our firm represents Florida residential and commercial property owners in hurricane damage claims, denied insurance claims, underpaid claims, and insurance coverage disputes.
If your property sustained damage from Hurricane Isaias, taking the following steps can help protect your rights. A Boca Raton, FL hurricane damage lawyer can help you understand your policy, challenge an unfair denial or underpayment, and pursue the insurance benefits you may be entitled to receive.
Step 1: Document All Hurricane Damage Immediately
Before beginning permanent repairs, thoroughly document the condition of your property, provided it is safe to do so.
Take photographs and videos of all visible damage, including:
- Roof damage, missing shingles, and displaced roofing materials.
- Broken windows, damaged doors, and exterior structural damage.
- Interior ceiling stains, water intrusion, and damaged drywall.
- Damaged flooring, cabinetry, insulation, and personal property.
- Damage to fences, garages, detached structures, and other insured improvements.
- Business equipment, inventory, and commercial property damage.
Do not assume that minor-looking damage is insignificant. Wind-driven rain and roof damage can result in concealed moisture intrusion and additional deterioration.
Preserve photographs, videos, receipts, estimates, and all correspondence with your insurance company.
The more thoroughly you document your loss, the better prepared you are to substantiate your claim.
Step 2: Review Your Insurance Policy
Not every hurricane insurance claim is handled the same way.
Your coverage depends on the language of your policy, the cause of the damage, applicable exclusions, and your deductible.
Important provisions to review include:
- Hurricane and windstorm coverage.
- Hurricane deductibles.
- Dwelling and other-structures coverage.
- Personal property coverage.
- Additional living expenses or loss-of-use coverage.
- Ordinance or law coverage.
- Flood and storm-surge exclusions.
- Duties after loss and claim-reporting requirements.
Wind damage and flood damage are frequently treated differently under insurance policies. Some flood losses require separate flood insurance.
Do not assume that your insurance company’s initial interpretation of your policy is correct. I helped write some of these policies, but the insurance companies these days will lean towards the policy exclusions before pointing out the coverage. That’s where we come in and fight for you to get the coverage that you paid for. It’s a shame we have to fight, but that’s what it takes in many instances when insurance companies underpay your claim or worse, deny it entirely with overused excuses that mirror the policy exclusions like “wear and tear” “faulty workmanship” or “repeated leakage and seepage”. Despite cashing your premiums every month and hiking up your costs every year, when it comes to the infrequent times you need them, they don’t show up like they’re supposed to.
Step 3: Notify Your Insurance Company Promptly
Report the hurricane damage to your insurance carrier as soon as reasonably possible.
When submitting your claim, request a claim number and written acknowledgment.
Maintain a record of the date of submission, the representative you spoke with, and all communications.
Florida law establishes important deadlines for property insurance claims. Under Florida Statute § 627.70132, the generally applicable deadline for reporting a new or reopened property insurance claim is one year from the date of loss, while supplemental claims generally must be reported within 18 months.
However, policy dates, applicable statutory provisions, and the specific facts of the loss must be evaluated individually.
Do not wait until the deadline approaches to protect your claim.
Step 4: Prevent Additional Damage
Most property insurance policies require policyholders to take reasonable steps to protect damaged property from further loss, they called this “mitigating damages” and it’s a policy conditions in most policies of insurance.
Depending on the circumstances, these measures may include emergency roof tarping, temporary window protection, water removal, and professional drying services.
Keep invoices and receipts for reasonable emergency expenses.
Avoid making unnecessary permanent repairs before the damage has been properly documented and the insurer has had an appropriate opportunity to inspect, unless immediate work is required for safety or to prevent additional damage.
Step 5: Do Not Assume The Insurance Adjuster’s Estimate Is A Complete Or Correct Assessment Of Your Damages
An insurance company adjuster evaluates your claim on behalf of the insurance company.
The adjuster’s initial estimate may not account for all your damages, the full scope of necessary repairs, or applicable building code requirements.
A complete assessment may require qualified roofing contractors, engineers, water mitigation professionals, or other appropriate experts.
Pay particular attention to:
- Omitted roof damage.
- Hidden moisture intrusion.
- Incomplete interior repair estimates.
- Improper depreciation calculations.
- Incorrect application of deductibles.
- Disputed wind-versus-flood causation.
- Necessary repairs to comply with applicable building codes.
You are not automatically required to accept the insurance company’s first estimate or settlement offer.
Step 6: Be Careful Before Signing Documents Or Accepting A Final Settlement
After a hurricane, property owners may be presented with repair contracts, assignments, releases, settlement agreements, and other documents.
Before signing, you should understand exactly what rights and obligations you have per the underlying policy of insurance.
Step 7: Challenge An Underpaid, Delayed, Or Denied Claim
If your insurance company denies your claim, offers insufficient payment, or unreasonably delays its decision, you have legal options.
Depending on the circumstances, resolving the dispute may involve further documentation, negotiations, mediation, or litigation.
Do not allow an insurance company’s denial or low estimate to discourage you from investigating your rights.
Step 8: Contact The People’s Law Team, PA
At The People’s Law Team, PA, we represent Florida homeowners and businesses in property insurance disputes.
Our firm handles underpaid or denied residential and commercial property losses from hurricane/tropical storm damage, unnamed windstorm damage, as well as water and fire damage.
Our practice draws on more than 25 years of experience understanding insurance companies, their claims practices, and the arguments they use to dispute coverage. Having represented the major insurance companies in Florida, we know how they work and how best to work for you to settle your claims.
We understand how insurance companies evaluate and defend property damage claims, and we use that knowledge and experience to help the people in Florida get paid properly for their claims.
Our goal is simple: to help you recover the insurance benefits you are legally entitled to receive.
Hurricane Isaias Damaged Your Property. Don’t Face The Insurance Company Alone.
If your Florida home or business sustained damage during Hurricane Isaias, protect your property, preserve your evidence, and obtain knowledgeable advice before accepting a settlement that may not cover your losses. The People's Law Team, PA Property Damage Lawyers is committed to protecting the people and helping you get paid for your insurance claims. Call 877 TOPLAW1 or visit peopleslawteam.com to discuss your claim and explore your options.
