Landspout damage: What homeowners should know before filing a claim

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Sunday’s landspout in Cape Coral left behind damaged lanais, fences, trees and debris across several neighborhoods, but for many homeowners, cleanup is only part of the process.

Now, many neighbors are trying to decide whether filing an insurance claim is actually worth it.

“One minute it’s sunny and enjoying the pool, and then the next minute everything’s everywhere,” Cape Coral neighbor Jonathan Contreras said.

Neighbors spent Sunday taking photos, cleaning up debris and inspecting damage around their homes. For some homeowners in Fort Myers, the damage went beyond torn screens or downed fence panels.

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“We walked around, and the entire roof, the back was worse than the front,” Kathy Musa told WINK News. “We realized, ‘Oh, we’ve got to contact our insurance company.’”

The homeowner said their insurance company quickly sent a restoration crew to place a tarp on the roof to help prevent further damage. Insurance experts say situations like that are often when homeowners should file a claim.

Mark Friedlander, Florida spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute, said whether filing a claim makes sense often depends on the size of the damage and the homeowner’s deductible.

“If it’s slightly over, it probably doesn’t make sense to file the claim,” Friedlander said. “If it’s significantly over… You absolutely should file a claim.”

Friedlander said homeowners with small repairs close to their deductible may choose to pay out of pocket instead of risking higher insurance costs later.

“If you have a history of numerous home insurance claims in the past two to three years, that is flagged as a high-risk policy,” Friedlander said.

He said lanais are typically covered under standard homeowners policies because they are attached to the home, while fences and other outdoor structures often fall under separate “other structures” coverage.

Landscaping losses, however, can be more complicated. Friedlander said landscaping losses are typically not covered when damage is caused by wind or hail. He said landscaping losses are commonly covered for other perils included in standard homeowners policies, including lightning, fire, theft and vandalism.

RELATED: ‘Sounded like a freight train’: Neighbors describe Sunday's landspout that tore through Cape Coral

One homeowner told WINK News his home itself was not damaged, but he lost trees and landscaping during the storm and does not expect his policy to cover those losses.

Friedlander also warned homeowners to be cautious about contractors going door to door after storms, offering immediate repairs.

“Do not sign an agreement with a contractor that is going door to door soliciting your business,” Friedlander said.

The Insurance Information Institute and National Insurance Crime Bureau say reported cases of contractor fraud have increased 38% over the past three years.

Homeowners should document damage immediately, save receipts for emergency repairs and review their policies carefully before hurricane season begins.