Hurricane Ian Claim Denials: Has Your Claim Been Reviewed?

The State of Hurricane Ian Insurance Claims

Hurricane Ian brought widespread devastation to Florida, prompting a surge in insurance claims. However, data from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (FLOIR) reveals a concerning reality: a significant portion of these claims were denied. Specifically, 28.3% of residential and 30.6% of commercial claims were fully denied, leaving many policyholders without the compensation they needed to recover. 

The Scale of Denials and Underpayments

These Hurricane Ian claim denial rates indicate that over one in four policyholders received no payment for their claims, not even partial settlements. This situation highlights critical issues within the insurance claim process, especially in high-impact areas such as Lee and Charlotte counties, where the denial rates were particularly high. The statistics underscore a broader challenge in ensuring that policyholders receive fair and timely settlements.  

Lines of Business Claims Reported Open Claims with Payment Open Claims without Payment Claims Closed with Payment Claims Closed without Payment Percent of Claims Closed
Residential Property 558,299 24,180 13,369 362,626 158,124 93.3%
Homeowners 454,072 20,259 11,463 286,786 135,564 93.0%
Dwelling 57,451 2,950 1,672 37,912 14,917 92.0%
Mobile Homeowners 42,861 491 87 35,839 6,444 98.7%
Commercial Residential 3,915 480 147 2,089 1,199 84.0%
Commercial Property 33,010 4,508 4,383 11,363 12,756 73.1%
Private Flood 5,645 378 85 3,705 1,477 91.8%
Business Interruption 582 25 21 411 125 92.1%
Other 179,405 1,097 998 151,764 25,546 98.8%
TOTALS 776,941 30,188 18,856 529,869 198,028 93.7%
Data collected by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation as of April 22, 2024

Why Are So Many Claims Denied? 

Several factors contribute to the high rate of claim denials. According to industry reports and expert analyses, common reasons include:

Insufficient Documentation

Often, claims are denied due to inadequate documentation. Policyholders must provide comprehensive evidence of their losses, including photographs, receipts, and detailed descriptions. Without this, insurers may find grounds to deny a claim. 

Policy Exclusions

Many insurance policies contain specific exclusions that are not always clearly understood by policyholders. These exclusions can cover a range of situations, from particular types of damage to specific causes of loss, and can lead to unexpected denials. 

Misinterpretation of Policy Terms

Misinterpretation or misunderstandings about policy coverage can also result in claim denials. Both insurers and policyholders may have different interpretations of what the policy covers, which can lead to disputes. 

The Importance of Claim Reviews

Given these high denial rates, it is crucial for policyholders to seek a professional claim review. This process can identify potential underpayments or improper denials, allowing policyholders to receive the compensation they’re owed according to their policy. The FLOIR encourages policyholders facing issues with their claims to report them and seek assistance. Professional reviews by trained adjusters, like those at Premier Claims, can help navigate the complexities of insurance policies and advocate for a fair settlement. 

Taking Action

The data above clearly shows a significant number of claims from Hurricane Ian were denied or remain unresolved to this day. Affected policyholders need to act proactively. By seeking a professional claim review, you can set yourself up for success to help rectify your losses. 

If you experienced a Hurricane Ian claim denial or you suspect it was underpaid, consider getting a thorough claim review. Contact Premier Claims today to learn more.

Would You Work for Free? Why We Take a Fee

Imagine yourself walking into a courtroom. Let’s say you’ve been sued by a disgruntled employee alleging you unlawfully fired them. Unfortunately, their lawyer is very good at making the judge believe that they were the victim of workplace abuse. Despite documentation that clearly demonstrates their poor performance as an employee—including unexcused absences, frequently missed deadlines, and complaints from other employees regarding their conduct—you opted to represent yourself to forgo additional legal fees. Without legal representation, you fail to introduce evidence of poor workmanship in your defense, and you overlook any viable objections.

Now ask yourself: Was saving the initial expense of a lawyer lucrative, even with the knowledge that if you lose, it will cost you more money? This hypothetical scenario paints a picture of a level of risk comparable to the risk of filing a large loss insurance claim without a public adjuster

With the involvement of a public adjuster, a claim settles for more, which means more money for you to restore your property to its former glory. Without our assistance, your settlement could be lower, resulting in a lower payout of the claim as a whole. 

Do You Know Your Worth?

In 2022, Hurricane Ian swept through the Florida coast, destroying homes, businesses, and livelihoods. Bacon’s Furniture in Port Charlotte, Florida, experienced a total building and inventory loss due to the high winds. The hurricane pulled off the roof down to the plywood, leaving bits of the roof sprinkled among the rubble.

As a furniture store, the inside of the building contained dining room chairs that no one would ever use for a Thanksgiving meal, couches, and armchairs that would never spark sibling rivalry during family movie night, and beds that would never receive praise for giving their owners the best sleep of their lives.

The financial loss would cost Bacon millions, but their carrier’s initial offer was only slightly over two million dollars. Enter Premier Claims. 

Our experts did a thorough inspection of the damage outside of the building, as well as the torn and broken furniture inside. After multiple negotiations, inspections with a handful of experts, and hiring a Business Personal Property (BPP) company to do a full inventory of the damaged furniture, we got Bacon’s carrier to release over thirteen million dollars. 

Don’t Settle For Less

Bacon could have settled and accepted the two million, but it wouldn’t have covered the entirety of the cost for the damage and loss of inventory sustained by the store. By retaining Premier Claims, Bacon’s Furniture benefited significantly from higher payouts, even with Premier’s added fee expenses. 

At Premier Claims, we understand the importance of transparency and trust. Our fee structure varies depending on the state and the specifics of the claim. In some cases, fees are billed hourly, while in others, they are contingent on the successful resolution of your claim. Rest assured that we’re committed to advocating for your best interests and aim to maximize the potential of your claim. We’re here to provide the support and expertise you need, tailored to your situation. 

Empower Yourself with Premier Claims

Don’t let concerns about our fee overshadow the significant benefits of partnering with Premier Claims. With our full team of experts on your side, you can navigate the claims process confidently, knowing that you have dedicated advocates fighting for your rights under your policy. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help secure the compensation you deserve.

Condo Association Restored After Hurricane Ian

Confidential Condo Association

Cape Coral, Florida
Hurricane Ian
September 2022


In the wake of Hurricane Ian, this five-building complex suffered from both roof damage and first-floor flooding. Despite the insurance carrier’s attempts to stall the process by repeatedly reassigning the claim, our team remained steadfast. We put together irrefutable estimates that clearly demonstrated that the policy limits had been met. Taking into account the widespread damage, we guided residents through their individual claims and managed the inspections and repairs for each unit. In the end, we achieved full coverage up to the policy limits for every building in the association and extended free consultation services to residents to aid in their recovery.


Insurance Carrier Offer: N/A

Premier Claims Settlement: $1,077,000

 

 

Hurricane Ian to hit Florida: Prepare for the Storm

 

Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana in 2021, and now in 2022, Hurricane Ian is impacting Florida, with a projected hit on Thursday. Hurricane Charley arrived at 150 mph in 2004, but wind speed isn’t the sole threat of a hurricane. Storm surge and storm tide, life-threatening risks for Florida residents during Hurricane Ian, have prompted a Storm Surge Warning in Tampa. Rising water along the coastline will swell and can invade several miles inland. While you can’t prevent a hurricane from coming, you can take a few actions to prepare for the storm.

Hurricane Tips:

If your local officials direct you to evacuate, don’t hesitate. Your life means more than any possession. 

Have you located your property’s policy? 

A hurricane brings immense stress, damage, and chaos. Don’t let the worry of finding your policy add to the burden. Secure your vital documents now; this will save time and headaches after the storm passes and the community begins cleaning up.

Download the Premier Claims Hurricane Checklist here. For hurricane tips and guidance on how to prepare for the storm, follow Premier Claims. We’re ready to assist after the storm. Contact us today to ensure that you’re ready to manage any property damage.