What are the characteristics of a Category 4 hurricane? According to the NHC’s website, catastrophic damage is expected. Even solidly framed homes can be severely damaged if the roof and several walls are lost. Most trees will be shattered or uprooted, and power lines will be blown down. Trees and power lines that have fallen will cut off communities. Power outages could last several weeks. Most of the sites will be inaccessible for weeks or months.

What type of property damage is most likely to occur during a hurricane?

The types of property damage that can occur during a hurricane are listed below.

Roofs

Category 4 hurricanes contain winds ranging from 130 to 156 miles per hour, which is more than enough to rip even the toughest roofs off. Experts from companies like PuroClean of Davie agree that the insurance company’s decision on whether or not to pay for the failure is influenced by several factors. How much has this roof aged? Have previous repairs been made? Was it in need of repair, or was it in good working order? And, perhaps most importantly, what kind of protection did you purchase? Standard insurance policies will usually cover the cost of restoring a roof to its pre-hurricane condition if it is reasonably new and in good condition. If the old roof is severely damaged, some will even pay for a new one.

Interiors

Damaged walls, flooring, and furnishings can result from heavy rains and flying debris entering homes through broken roofs, windows, and doors. Another internal problem? Mold is proliferating! Mold damage is common after hurricanes, according to experts, but most insurance policies have coverage limits for this issue. Contact the best flood cleanup Tamarac has to offer to address this issue. 

Equipment

The water and power surge that frequent hurricanes cause can damage various equipment. Fire can damage electrical equipment, transformers, generators, air-conditioning systems, electronic data processing, computer equipment, and telephone systems.

Public Utilities

Constructions not directly in the path of the hurricane are also vulnerable. These windstorms may disrupt power, phone lines, and water supply long after they have made landfall. Insurance claims may be required for residents and business owners within a 600-mile radius.

How to proceed if your property has been damaged?

When your property is damaged, you can file a claim with your insurance company or a third party to help pay for repairs, replacement, and other hurricane related restoration costs. Unfortunately, some insurance companies will not send cash without first making the process difficult. They are capable of performing a variety of maneuvers. 

They may attempt to make you feel responsible for your losses, or they may try to persuade you to accept a lowball offer by denying or disputing your claims or dragging their feet, among other things.

To Sum It Up

If a hurricane has damaged your home or property, take detailed pictures of the damage before contacting your insurance company. If you believe your insurance company has rejected your claim in bad faith, consulting with an attorney may help you determine your next steps.