Get the Compensation You Deserve for your Tornado Damage claim.
Tornadoes can cause catastrophic damage to homes, businesses, and personal property. If your property has been affected by a tornado, navigating the insurance claims process can be overwhelming. Many homeowners struggle with denied or underpaid claims, making legal assistance crucial. At Gelber Law Group, our tornado damage claim lawyers are here to help you secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Did you know tornadoes have the potential to be locally more destructive than a hurricane?
Filing a Tornado Damage Claim
If your property has suffered tornado damage, it’s essential to act quickly to start the claims process. Here’s what you need to do:
You can speak to a tornado insurance claim lawyer at any point in the claims process.
- Contact Your Insurance Company – The sooner you report the damage by filing a claim, the better your chances of a smooth claims process.
- Document the Damage – Take photos and videos of all affected areas inside and outside your home. Keep receipts for any temporary repairs or expenses, because you may be entitled to be reimbursed.
- Submit Documentation to Your Insurance Provider – Provide all necessary evidence, including images, videos, receipts, and any relevant paperwork.
- Work with Your Lawyer – A Lawyer can help keep the claim process moving in the right direction while keeping your interests top-of-mind the entire time.
What to Document for Your Claim
Proper documentation is key to helping push your claim forward. Make sure to document the following:
- Photos and Videos – Capture detailed images of structural damage, roof damage, broken windows, missing shingles, fallen trees, and damaged belongings.
- Gather “Before Images” – Go through your phone and look through your photo album for videos or pictures that show your home before your property was damaged by the tornado. “Before images” closer to the date of loss provide higher quality evidence of your home being recently damaged by a tornado.
- Receipts for Temporary Repairs – If you need to buy a tarp or hire a company to perform emergency repair services, keep all your receipts. You may be entitled to reimbursement for these expenses.
- Water Damage Evidence – If the tornado led to water intrusion, document all signs of water damage, including mold growth or ceiling stains.
Understanding the Tornado Claims Process
Once you file your claim, here’s what happens next:
- Inspection by an Insurance Adjuster – Your insurance company will send an adjuster to evaluate the damage.
- Second Opinion – When needed, we will coordinate inspections with our experts such as engineers we work with to inspect your property to provide a second unbiased opinion. Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, so don’t be mistaken if they are sometimes referred to as “Independent” Adjusters – there is nothing “independent” about them. The engineer we will send to inspect your property will have your best interest in mind and not the insurance company’s.
- Determination of Reimbursement – The insurer will calculate the amount they will cover for repairs or replacement.
- Approval or Denial – Your insurance provider may approve your claim, offer a low payout, or deny it altogether.
- Negotiations Begin – If your insurance company chooses to deny or offer you an underpayment offer for your tornado claim, then our legal team will step in to fight for your claim to be properly paid.
- Trial (only if negotiations fail) – In the event your insurance company chooses to not abide by the property insurance policy they wrote, we are ready to go to court and use the law to fight for the highest possible payout for your claim.
Tips for Handling a Tornado Damage Claim
- Be Persistent but Patient – Insurance companies are often overwhelmed after a major storm. Stay in contact with your insurer while remaining patient. If you are working with an attorney, they will handle this communication for you.
- Request Written Communications – Ask your insurance company to provide claim updates and decisions in writing. If your claim does end up going to trial, written communication between you and the insurance company can serve as evidence.
- Get Multiple Estimates – Before hiring a contractor, compare repair estimates to ensure fair pricing.
- Avoid Unlicensed Contractors – Verify credentials and avoid upfront cash payments to prevent fraud. Avoid open ended contracts that do not include a dollar amount for repairs, and state that their repair total will be “the total amount the insurance company pays towards your claim”.
- Review Your Policy – Policies generally have exclusions or have separate deductibles. Review your coverage to avoid surprises.
- Hire an Attorney at Any Point – If you feel your insurance company is being unfair, consider hiring a tornado damage insurance claim lawyer to advocate on your behalf.
Protect Yourself from Future Tornado Damage
To minimize future tornado-related damage, consider these preventive measures:
- Upgrade Your Roofing and Windows – Invest in impact-resistant materials.
- Secure Outdoor Items – Store loose objects indoors before a storm to prevent flying debris.
- Review Your Insurance Policy Annually – Ensure you have adequate coverage for wind and storm damage.
Need Help with Your Tornado Damage Claim?
If your tornado damage claim has been denied, delayed, or underpaid, don’t navigate the process alone. The experienced attorneys at Gelber Law Group are here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Fill out our contact form, or call us at 954-320-0100.