What Should You Do if Your Hurricane Insurance Claim Was Denied?

Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton Home Owners Insurance Claim Denied?

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, property insurers are coming under fire for their handling of insurance claims, leaving many Florida homeowners without the compensation they need to rebuild. According to a recent report from Weiss Ratings, nearly half of all property insurance claims filed in Florida last year were denied, a worrying trend that experts believe is likely to continue. As homeowners face growing uncertainty in the wake of these devastating storms, The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine are stepping in to offer legal assistance for those whose claims have been unfairly denied.

Hurricanes Milton and Helene Devastate Communities

Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida just last week, killing at least 16 people, causing widespread flooding, and leaving millions without power. The storm dealt a severe blow to infrastructure across the state, causing billions of dollars in property damage. Hurricane Milton followed closely on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which struck six states and resulted in over 200 deaths, compounding the devastation across the region. Florida, already reeling from Milton’s impact, is now facing an uphill battle to recover from both storms.

As residents begin the process of rebuilding, many are encountering obstacles from an unexpected source: their property insurance companies. According to Weiss Ratings, a significant portion of claims related to last year’s storms were either delayed or outright denied, leaving homeowners struggling to cover repair costs. This trend, according to Martin Weiss, founder of Weiss Ratings, is only likely to worsen as insurers face increased financial pressure following this year’s surge in damages.

“We’ve seen a worsening trend in denial rates by property insurers over the long term,” said Weiss. “With this year’s jump in damages, insurers are bound to come under even greater pressure to deny legitimate claims, potentially accelerating this worsening trend.”

A History of Claims Denials in Florida

Weiss Ratings found that in 2023, nearly half of the claims submitted by Florida homeowners to major insurance providers were denied. Castle Key Indemnity, a subsidiary of Allstate, had the highest denial rate at 47.1 percent, followed closely by State Farm, which denied 46.4 percent of claims, and Castle Key Insurance, which rejected 46 percent of claims. These high rates of denial have left many homeowners without the funds necessary to rebuild their homes and communities.

While insurance companies have disputed the accuracy of these statistics, citing factors such as deductibles and coverage exclusions, the denial rates remain a serious concern for policyholders. A spokesperson for State Farm told Newsweek that the data is “incomplete” and “presented in a way that artificially underrepresents payments to customers.” Still, for homeowners whose claims are denied, these disputes leave them without the financial support they expected when they signed their insurance contracts.

The challenges extend beyond just the larger insurers. Weiss Ratings found that nearly half of the 40 insurance companies analyzed in their report failed to pay on at least 30 percent of claims. Several smaller insurers—Kin Insurance Network, American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida, and PURE Specialty Exchange—denied over 40 percent of the claims they processed in 2023.

The Impact on Florida Homeowners

For homeowners in Florida, where hurricane insurance is already more expensive than in most states, the high rate of denied claims adds to the financial burden of recovering from natural disasters. According to Bankrate, the average annual home insurance premium in Florida is $5,527—significantly higher than the national average of $2,285. In some high-risk areas, premiums can soar above $8,000 a year. With insurers increasingly denying claims, many Florida residents are left to foot the bill for expensive repairs out of pocket, compounding the financial strain of living in a hurricane-prone state.

Florida’s property insurance crisis has been worsened by the record number of insurance company bankruptcies in recent years, as well as skyrocketing premiums. The state’s insurance market is under intense pressure, and homeowners are feeling the effects.

Legal Assistance for Denied Claims

For those who have had insurance claims denied in the wake of Hurricanes Milton or Helene, legal recourse is available. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, with law offices across Florida, are offering assistance to homeowners who believe their claims have been unfairly denied. Specializing in insurance claim disputes, the experienced attorneys at Anidjar & Levine are ready to fight for clients who are struggling to get the compensation they deserve from their insurers.

“Hurricanes are devastating enough without having to fight your insurance company for the coverage you’re entitled to,” said firm partner Glen Levine. “We’re here to ensure that Florida residents who have suffered from Hurricane Milton or Hurricane Helene are not further victimized by their insurance providers.”

Anidjar & Levine’s legal services cover every aspect of the claims process, from disputing denied claims to negotiating with insurance companies on behalf of their clients. Their team of attorneys is prepared to help Floridians navigate the complex and often frustrating process of recovering from storm-related damages. By providing expert legal support, the firm aims to ease the burden on homeowners during one of the most challenging times of their lives.

Looking Ahead

As Florida residents continue to recover from Hurricanes Milton and Helene, the issue of denied insurance claims is likely to remain a contentious one. With a growing trend of non-payment by insurers, many homeowners are left in precarious financial situations, struggling to rebuild their lives after back-to-back natural disasters. However, with the legal support of firms like The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, those affected by the storms can find hope in securing the compensation they need to move forward.

For Florida homeowners dealing with denied insurance claims, seeking legal help may be the key to navigating these challenging times and ensuring they receive the compensation they are owed.