At Daniell, Upton, Anderson, Law & Busby, P.C., our seasoned litigation attorneys have decades of experience representing homeowners and business owners in complex insurance disputes, particularly in the aftermath of hurricanes impacting the Gulf Coast communities of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Pensacola, Biloxi, and surrounding areas in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi.
We understand the tactics insurance companies use to delay, deny, or underpay valid claims. Our firm is committed to holding insurers accountable and ensuring our clients receive the full and fair compensation they are entitled to under their policies for wind damage, flood damage, business interruption, and other hurricane-related losses. We possess a deep understanding of insurance policy interpretation, claim handling procedures, and the nuances of bad faith laws across the multiple states we serve.
If your hurricane insurance claim has been unfairly denied, unreasonably delayed, or significantly underpaid, don't fight the insurance company alone. Contact Daniell, Upton, Anderson, Law & Busby, P.C. today for a consultation to discuss your situation and learn how our experience can help you recover. Call us at (251) 625-0046 or reach out through our online contact form. We are here to provide the strong advocacy you need to rebuild.
This is a frequent point of contention. Wind-driven rain entering through openings created by wind (e.g., rain blowing through a hole in the roof caused by wind) is typically covered by homeowners'/wind policies. Flood damage, caused by rising surface water (storm surge, overflowing rivers, heavy rainfall accumulation), is only covered by a separate flood insurance policy. Insurers may try to attribute water damage to flooding to avoid paying under a homeowners policy.
A common secondary effect of water intrusion after a hurricane. Coverage for mold remediation can be limited or excluded in standard homeowners policies or subject to specific sub-limits. Prompt water mitigation is key to preventing mold growth.
For commercial properties, BI coverage replaces lost income and covers ongoing expenses if the business must temporarily close due to damage from a covered peril (e.g., wind damage forcing closure). Requires specific BI coverage in the policy and meticulous documentation of financial losses.
For homeowners displaced by a covered loss, ALE covers reasonable expenses exceeding normal living costs (e.g., hotel bills, restaurant meals, laundry). Coverage is usually subject to time or dollar limits.
Insurance companies in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi have a legal obligation to treat their policyholders fairly and act in good faith. When an insurer unreasonably prioritizes its own financial interests over its duty to the policyholder, it may be acting in bad faith. Examples of potential bad faith conduct in the context of hurricane claims include:
If an insurer is found to have acted in bad faith, the policyholder may be entitled to recover damages beyond the original policy benefits. This can include compensation for additional financial losses, emotional distress, attorney's fees (especially under Florida statute), and, in cases of egregious conduct, punitive damages intended to punish the insurer and deter future misconduct (available under specific circumstances in AL, FL, and MS, though standards vary).
Insurance law is primarily state-regulated, meaning the rules governing claims in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi differ:
Given these state-specific nuances, consulting an attorney licensed and experienced in the state where the damaged property is located (Alabama, Florida, or Mississippi) is critical.
30421 State Highway 181
Daphne, Alabama 36527