Jamie Tracey’s Port Salerno home was one of several that suffered damage following the tornado outbreak earlier this month.
The 71-year-old calls it an ‘insurance nightmare,’ facing a $14,000 deductible to get her house fixed.
Tracey took a direct hit from the tornado, leaving her with damages to her fence, awnings, screens, roof and more.
Jackson Gaylor, WPTVShe filed a claim with her insurance TypTap, and days later, was told she must pay a hurricane deductible of $14,000.
“It was overwhelming. I just didn’t know what I was going to do,” shared Tracey. “I was going to have to mortgage my house out just to pay my deductible.”
Tracey worries as she is low-income, retired and relies on supplemental social security.
WPTV went straight to the experts about why some homeowners are facing such a massive cost. Robert Norberg, with Arden Insurance Associates says hurricane deductibles are determined based on the building insured value — which typically ranges from 2 to 10 percent.