June marks the official start of hurricane season in Florida.
If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the question isn’t if a storm will hit — it’s when. At Alpha Law Group, our founding partners were born and raised on Siesta Key, where hurricane season wasn’t just something to read about — it was part of life.
From boarding up windows to rebuilding homes, their early experiences with Florida’s fiercest storms inspired the mission that drives our firm today: protecting everyday Floridians from powerful insurance companies that too often delay, underpay, or deny valid claims.
We specialize in fighting back — whether the damage is to your home, your car, or your health. And as another storm season begins, we want to help you stay one step ahead.
In this blog, you will learn:
- Essential steps to prepare your home and family for hurricane season
- Immediate actions to take after your property is damaged
- How to get a fair outcome when dealing with insurance companies
Let’s dive in and get you ready.
What the 2025 Hurricane Season Looks Like?
Florida doesn’t get to ease into hurricane season — it starts hot, and this year’s forecast proves it.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be “above normal,” with 13 to 19 named storms, 6 to 10 hurricanes, and 3 to 5 major hurricanes likely.
That’s not just a statistical guess — it’s based on real warning signs: warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures, a stronger West African monsoon, and reduced wind shear. In short, it’s the kind of cocktail that fuels the most dangerous storms.
Governor DeSantis has already emphasized that Floridians should prepare early and not wait for a storm to form. Every year, people underestimate the damage a hurricane can cause until it’s too late. Whether you live in a coastal home or further inland, no one in the state is immune.
If you own property in Florida, now is the time to act, not react.
7 Smart Ways to Prepare Before a Storm Hits
When a storm is on the radar, panic is the worst plan.
Floridians know that waiting until the last minute leads to long lines, empty shelves, and preventable mistakes. The smartest thing you can do is prepare well before the clouds roll in.
These seven steps are more than just suggestions; they’re your roadmap to protecting your home, your family, and your future claim.
1. Build a Real Emergency Plan (Not Just an Idea!)
It’s one thing to say, “We’ll figure it out,” and another to actually sit down with your family and talk through what to do when the power goes out or roads become impassable.
Choose an evacuation route and destination now — preferably two, in opposite directions — in case one is blocked. Make sure everyone in the household knows where to go and how to reconnect if separated.
If you have children, elderly family members, or pets, make sure your plan works for them too. The goal is to avoid decisions in crisis mode. A written plan on the fridge can be worth more than a thousand Google searches in the dark.
2. Strengthen Your Home Before the Wind Finds Weaknesses
Your home doesn’t have to be leveled to suffer serious damage.
Wind can find the smallest vulnerability, a loose shingle, an unlatched gate, an untrimmed tree and turn it into a five-figure repair.
Well before the season heats up, inspect your roof, test your hurricane shutters, and trim back any trees hanging near your home. If you have a garage door, make sure it’s wind-rated and braced.
Even small upgrades, like sealing roof seams or installing weather stripping, can mean the difference between filing a claim and just watching the storm pass.
3. Stock Your Hurricane Kit with More Than Just the Basics
Too many families toss some bottled water and batteries in a drawer and call it a day.
A real hurricane kit should sustain you and your family for at least 5–7 days with no power, limited access to stores, and minimal help.
Make sure your kit includes:
- Non-perishable food and one gallon of water per person per day
- Prescription medications and basic first aid
- Battery-powered flashlight, radio, and extra batteries
- Cell phone chargers and backup power banks
- Pet food and baby supplies, if needed
- Copies of important documents sealed in a waterproof bag
- Emergency cash (ATMs may be offline)
This isn’t overkill; it’s survival planning, Florida-style.
4. Review Your Insurance Now (Not After You Need It!)
Here’s where most people make costly assumptions. They think their policy covers flood damage (most don’t).
Or they assume their coverage limit will be enough to rebuild (it won’t, thanks to inflation). Others don’t realize that a high hurricane deductible could leave them holding the bag for tens of thousands before insurance kicks in.
Take 20 minutes now to read your policy, or better yet, talk to your agent and get the answers in plain English. If you’re confused, don’t wait until your ceiling caves in to find out what “wind-driven rain exclusion” means.
5. Document Everything You Own (and Where It Lives)
If your home is damaged, the burden is on you to prove what was lost.
That’s why a quick video walkthrough of your home could be the most important five minutes you spend this week. Open drawers, pan across electronics, zoom in on serial numbers or receipts — all of it helps.
Keep that video (and any photos or receipts) backed up in cloud storage, so it’s safe even if your device isn’t. Insurance companies don’t always play fair, but clear documentation gives you leverage they can’t ignore.
6. Safeguard Your Digital and Legal Records
Don’t just rely on your glovebox or filing cabinet.
Scan your driver’s license, social security card, insurance policies, bank info, medical records, and anything else you’d need if you had to start over. Store it securely in the cloud, and if you prefer paper backups, make sure they’re in a waterproof folder that’s easy to grab in a rush.
In the chaos after a storm, having your documents ready can save you hours—or even days—of stress and delay.
7. Save Emergency Contacts (Especially Ours!)
When communications go down, your phone becomes your lifeline. Before that happens, take time to store and write down the following:
- Local police, fire, and EMS
- County emergency management and shelter info
- Power company and water utility
- Your insurance company and agent
- Alpha Law Group: (941)-304-1500
We’re here when you need us, especially if your insurer plays hardball. When the storm clears, you deserve someone in your corner who knows the system and how to beat it.
What To Do Immediately After Hurricane Damage?
Once the skies clear, the real work begins.
What you do in the hours and days after a hurricane can impact not only your safety, but also how much your insurance company is willing to pay.
Here are the six steps every Floridian should follow after storm damage.
- Put Safety First — Always: Don’t rush back into your home just to assess damage. Watch for downed power lines, gas leaks, unstable structures, and standing water that could be contaminated or electrically charged. If anything feels unsafe, leave it to professionals.
- Take Photos and Videos of Everything: Before touching a thing, document it all. Use your phone to capture wide-angle videos and close-up photos of every damaged area — your roof, walls, flooring, furniture, appliances, yard, and vehicles. This visual proof is crucial when filing your claim or challenging a denial.
- Prevent Further Damage: Your policy likely requires you to take “reasonable steps” to stop further loss. Cover broken windows, tarp damaged roofs, and move undamaged property out of harm’s way. Save receipts for anything you spend. But don’t throw anything away or make permanent repairs until your adjuster documents it, or you could hurt your claim.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: Once it’s safe, call your insurance company to report the damage. Have your policy number, a written summary of the damage, and your photo evidence ready. Take notes during every call: who you spoke to, what they said, and when you spoke. This record may protect you later if anything is disputed.
- Keep a Claims Log: Start a simple notebook or document and track every interaction related to your claim. Include dates, names, phone numbers, what was said, and what documents were submitted. If a delay or denial happens, this log becomes your leverage.
- Know Your Rights if the Adjuster Undervalues Your Claim: Insurance adjusters don’t work for you — they work for the company, trying to save money. If the initial offer seems suspiciously low or if they downplay the extent of the damage, you don’t have to accept it. You can push back. You can bring in a second opinion. And you can call us.
How Insurance Companies Undermine Legitimate Claims?
Insurance is supposed to be your safety net, not a second disaster.
But for many Floridians, dealing with their insurer after a hurricane is almost as stressful as the storm itself. At Alpha Law Group, we’ve seen every excuse, delay, and tactic in the book.
Here are seven common ways insurance companies try to shortchange policyholders — and what you should watch out for.
Delaying the Claims Process Until You’re Desperate
Insurance companies know time is on their side.
The longer they make you wait, the more pressure you’ll feel to accept a low offer, just to get your life back.
You may hear phrases like “We’re still reviewing your file” or “We need more documentation,” even when you’ve submitted everything twice.
If your claim is dragging on without ga ood reason, that’s a red flag.
Making Lowball Settlement Offers Early
Some insurers will throw out a quick, low offer, hoping you’ll take it without understanding the full cost of repairs.
It might sound generous at first — until contractors give you real estimates and you realize it won’t come close to covering the damage.
Once you accept and sign, it’s nearly impossible to reopen the claim. That’s exactly what they’re betting on.
Blaming “Wear and Tear” or Pre-Existing Damage
A common denial tactic is to argue that the damage wasn’t caused by the storm — it was already there.
Suddenly, a blown-out roof becomes your fault for “negligent maintenance,” or water intrusion is blamed on old seals rather than wind-driven rain.
It’s one of the most frustrating loopholes, and it’s often based on vague policy language designed to protect their bottom line, not yours.
Cherry-Picking Evidence That Benefits Them
While you’re expected to document everything, the insurance adjuster may conveniently overlook damage, ignore full room assessments, or skip talking to contractors. They may even take selective photos that downplay the severity of the loss.
If your adjuster is moving too fast or seems dismissive, don’t be afraid to speak up or get a second inspection.
Hiding Behind Complex Policy Language
Let’s face it — most insurance policies are a maze of legal terms and technical jargon. Insurers rely on this complexity to confuse policyholders and make denials sound legitimate, even when they’re not.
If you don’t understand something in your policy, it’s not your fault and it’s exactly why legal representation can make the difference.
Shifting the Blame to Another Policy or Party
Your home is flooded, but your insurer says it’s FEMA’s problem.
Your roof is destroyed, but they blame the manufacturer. Some insurers will try to pass the responsibility to anyone but themselves, hoping you’ll get frustrated and give up.
This tactic creates delay, confusion, and missed deadlines — all of which work in their favor.
Counting on You Not to Fight Back
Above all, insurance companies hope you won’t push back.
They know that most people aren’t lawyers and don’t want to start a legal battle while dealing with a damaged home. That’s why these tactics are so effective; until someone like us gets involved.
At Alpha Law Group, we’ve handled hundreds of storm-related claims and know exactly how to hold insurance companies accountable.
If you’re getting the runaround, don’t wait — connect with us.
Why Floridians Trust Alpha Law Group During Storm Season?
When the storm clears and the insurance games begin, you need more than a law firm; you need someone who understands what you’re going through.
Here’s why so many Floridians call Alpha Law Group first.
- We Were Born and Raised Right Here: Our founding partners grew up on Siesta Key. We’ve lived through hurricanes, rebuilt homes, and helped neighbors get back on their feet. This isn’t just business — it’s personal.
- We Focus 100% on Fighting Insurance Companies: We don’t dabble in dozens of areas of law. We specialize in holding insurance companies accountable, whether they’ve underpaid, delayed, or denied your claim entirely.
- We Deliver Results in the Cases That Matter: From personal injury to PIP to first-party property damage, we’ve helped real Floridians recover real money. We don’t settle for less than what you’re owed and we know how to fight to get it.
- We Serve All of Florida With a Hometown Mindset: Our roots are in Sarasota, but our reach covers the entire state. Whether you’re in Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, or the Panhandle, we’re ready to fight for you like you’re our next-door neighbor.
- We Offer Free Consultations When Storm Damage Strikes: If your home, car, or business has been affected by a hurricane and your insurer isn’t treating you fairly, your first call should be to us. No fees. No pressure. Just answers — fast.
Wrapping It Up
Hurricane season in Florida isn’t just a weather event — it’s a test of preparation, resilience, and often, your patience with insurance companies.
By taking the right steps before a storm hits, acting quickly after damage occurs, and knowing how insurers operate, you can protect both your property and your peace of mind.
At Alpha Law Group, we’re more than just lawyers; we’re locals who’ve been through the same storms and know exactly how to fight back when insurers don’t play fair. Whether it’s property damage, PIP, or a denied claim, we’re here when you need us most.
Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Call Alpha Law Group at (941)-304-1500 for a free hurricane claim consultation today.
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