Putting The Power In The People’s Hands

Roof repairs still needed eight months after Irma

On Behalf of | May 25, 2018 | Hurricane Damage Claims

Some Florida residents who experienced roof damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma are still waiting for help rebuilding eight months later. One woman claimed that the damage to her home was about $25,000, and she said that there was no point in cleaning the rest of the home until the roof was fixed. However, the homeowner said that she didn’t have homeowners insurance and that FEMA had not been able to offer any assistance.

FEMA itself said that relief funds were not meant to be an alternative to buying homeowners insurance. In an email to a local television station, a representative for the agency mentioned that over $300 million had been allocated to help those who were impacted. In addition to homeowners insurance, FEMA says that flood insurance can be helpful in the event of a natural disaster such as a hurricane.

Property owners who are dealing with roof damage because of Hurricane Irma may benefit from seeking out the assistance of an attorney. A legal professional may be able to work with federal agencies or seek out help from other relief or charitable groups to help those who lack insurance. In some cases, these groups may be able to provide emergency shelter or other resources while an individual seeks to repair their damaged home.

If a homeowner does have insurance, an attorney may work with the insurance provider to have damage fixed in a timely manner. This may result in a homeowner having a claim approved or otherwise obtaining funds needed to get their roof fixed. If an insurance company acts in bad faith, legal counsel might resolve the matter either in court or through a negotiated settlement. An act of bad faith could include terminating a policy after a claim is made.