Commercial Hurricane Damage
Raizner Slania LLP specializes in helping commercial property owners recover the full value of their hurricane insurance claims. Our experienced attorneys have successfully handled complex commercial property insurance disputes against major insurance carriers nationwide. When hurricanes cause extensive damage to your business property, insurance companies often employ tactics to minimize payouts or deny legitimate claims. Our team provides the legal expertise you need to hold insurers accountable and secure the compensation your business deserves.
Hurricane Damage to Commercial Properties
Hurricanes represent one of the most devastating natural disasters for commercial property owners. These powerful storms combine multiple destructive forces that can severely impact business operations and property integrity.
Types of Hurricane Damage
Hurricane damage to commercial properties typically falls into several categories that can significantly impact business operations and property value. Understanding these damage types is crucial for properly documenting your insurance claim.
- Wind damage is among the most common and destructive effects of hurricanes on commercial properties. Hurricane-force winds can exceed 100 mph, capable of tearing off roofs, shattering windows, and compromising structural integrity. Commercial buildings often suffer extensive exterior damage as powerful gusts rip away siding, damage signage, and transform outdoor furniture and equipment into dangerous projectiles.
- Flooding and water intrusion represent another major category of hurricane damage. The combination of heavy rainfall and storm surges can lead to significant flooding, particularly in coastal and low-lying areas. This water intrusion damages walls, flooring, electrical systems, and valuable business equipment. Extended exposure to moisture creates ideal conditions for mold growth, posing health risks to employees and customers while requiring additional remediation costs.
- Roof damage is particularly common in hurricane events. The powerful winds can strip away shingles, tiles, or entire sections of commercial roofing systems, leaving the building’s interior vulnerable to water damage. Commercial flat roofs are susceptible to ponding water, which can cause progressive deterioration and eventual collapse if not properly addressed.
- Structural damage occurs when the combined effects of wind, water, and debris compromise a building’s integrity. This can manifest as collapsed walls, weakened foundations, and in severe cases, complete destruction of commercial properties. Even minor structural damage can render a building unsafe for occupancy, leading to extended business interruption.
- Business interruption represents a significant financial consequence of hurricane damage. Beyond physical property damage, businesses face lost income, employee displacement, and damaged customer relationships during rebuilding periods. This interruption can persist long after the immediate storm damage is repaired.
Documentation of Damage
Proper documentation of hurricane damage is essential for filing successful insurance claims. Commercial property owners should:
- Thoroughly photograph and video all damage before beginning cleanup
- Maintain detailed records of all communications with insurance representatives
- Create comprehensive inventories of damaged business property, equipment, and merchandise
- Preserve samples of damaged materials when possible
- Obtain independent professional assessments of structural damage
Comprehensive documentation creates an irrefutable record of hurricane damage that strengthens your position when dealing with insurance adjusters and potential litigation.
Insurance Company Tactics and Bad Faith Practices
Insurance carriers often employ various tactics to minimize payouts on legitimate hurricane damage claims. Understanding these strategies helps commercial property owners protect their interests.
Common Insurance Company Tactics
When commercial property owners file hurricane damage claims, insurance companies frequently employ strategies designed to minimize payouts. These tactics include deliberately misinterpreting policy language to exclude covered damages, attributing hurricane damage to pre-existing conditions, and unreasonably delaying claim processing.
Insurance adjusters may conduct inadequate investigations, overlooking significant damage or failing to properly account for the full scope of business interruption losses. Many commercial policyholders experience delays as insurers request unnecessary documentation or repeatedly reassign claim handlers, extending the claim resolution timeline while businesses struggle financially.
Another common tactic involves offering quick but significantly undervalued settlements, hoping financially distressed business owners will accept less than they deserve. Some insurers inappropriately apply multiple deductibles to what should be treated as a single weather event, artificially reducing claim payments.
Bad Faith Insurance Practices
Insurance companies have a legal obligation to act in good faith when handling claims. Bad faith practices occur when insurers knowingly:
- Deny claims without reasonable investigation
- Misrepresent policy provisions to avoid coverage
- Fail to communicate claim status promptly
- Delay payment on valid claims without justification
- Make unreasonably low settlement offers
These practices violate insurance law and give policyholders grounds for additional legal action beyond breach of contract. Commercial property owners who experience these tactics may be entitled to additional damages beyond the original claim amount.
The Commercial Hurricane Claim Process
Navigating the hurricane insurance claim process requires understanding both procedural requirements and potential pitfalls. Commercial property owners should follow these steps for optimal results.
Filing Your Claim
The claim process begins immediately after hurricane damage occurs. Commercial property owners should promptly notify their insurance carrier about the loss, carefully reviewing policy requirements for initial reporting. Many policies contain strict deadlines for filing hurricane claims, typically ranging from 30 to 60 days after the event.
Document all communications with insurance representatives, including names, dates, and conversation details. Insist on written confirmation of claim receipt and assigned claim numbers. Maintain duplicate records of all submitted documentation, never providing originals to adjusters or insurance representatives.
Working with Insurance Adjusters
Insurance companies typically dispatch adjusters to inspect damaged commercial properties. These adjusters work for the insurance company, not the policyholder, and their assessment directly impacts claim payment. Commercial property owners should:
- Be present during adjuster inspections
- Provide organized documentation of damages
- Request copies of any reports or estimates created
- Consider hiring an independent adjuster to represent policyholder interests
When significant disagreements arise about damage assessment or claim valuation, obtaining independent expert opinions becomes crucial for effectively challenging insurance company determinations.
Legal Options for Denied or Underpaid Claims
When insurance companies fail to honor their obligations, commercial policyholders have legal recourse. The experienced attorneys at Raizner Slania LLP help clients navigate these options, including:
- Formal claim appeals through insurance company channels
- Mediation or arbitration proceedings when specified in policy language
- Bad faith insurance litigation against carriers who violate legal obligations
- Class action participation when similar claims are systematically mishandled
Legal action is often necessary when insurance companies engage in patterns of claim denial or underpayment. Raizner Slania LLP has successfully represented numerous commercial property owners in litigation against major insurance carriers, recovering millions in rightfully owed compensation.
Our Approach to Hurricane Claims
We understand that every commercial hurricane claim is unique, requiring personalized attention and strategic planning. Our process begins with a thorough analysis of your insurance policy, identifying all potential coverage areas and exclusions that may impact your claim.
Our team conducts independent damage assessments, often working with industry-leading experts in construction, engineering, and business valuation. This thorough approach ensures we capture the full scope of physical damage and business interruption losses, building the strongest possible case for maximum recovery.
When litigation becomes necessary, our extensive courtroom experience and reputation for aggressive advocacy often motivates insurance companies to offer fair settlements rather than face us in court. For claims that proceed to trial, our attorneys have demonstrated exceptional success in securing favorable verdicts for commercial policyholders.
Why Choose Raizner Slania LLP for Hurricane Insurance Claims
Our firm brings specialized expertise to commercial hurricane insurance disputes, with a proven track record of successful outcomes against major insurance carriers.
Our Experience and Expertise
Raizner Slania LLP attorneys are leaders in bad faith insurance litigation with extensive experience in hurricane damage claims. Founding partner Jeff Raizner served as co-liaison counsel on Hurricane Ike litigation in Houston and has been selected by courts and peers to serve on steering committees managing complex insurance disputes. He is recognized nationally as an expert in first-party insurance law and complex commercial property insurance litigation.
Partner Andrew Slania has served as lead attorney on hundreds of commercial property insurance disputes throughout the nation and regularly presents to insurance-related trade associations. Attorney Amy Hargis has represented numerous property owners in litigation against insurance carriers for bad faith practices.
Our attorneys are licensed in multiple states and have extensive backgrounds in high-stakes litigation. We possess the technological capabilities and financial resources necessary to challenge even the largest multinational insurance companies. This comprehensive expertise positions us to effectively advocate for commercial policyholders facing complex hurricane damage claim disputes.
Contact Raizner Slania LLP Today
If your commercial hurricane insurance claim has been underpaid or denied by an insurance company, don’t face the challenge alone. Our experienced hurricane insurance claim attorneys can evaluate your case and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
We handle hurricane insurance claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced lawyers. We won’t rest until you receive the money you’re owed.
Call us at 844-554-9099 or fill out our contact form to discuss your case with one of our experienced attorneys.
