Florida Property Damage Claim Lawyers
Information about property damage
Property owners in Florida can experience damage from a number of different causes. The state has severe weather from hurricanes, flooding, wind, excessive heat, and rain. There is also the possibility that sudden accidents and emergencies such as fire, theft, and vandalism can result in property damage. Depending on the extent of the damage, the insurance company may have an adjuster sent out to review the specific losses, but it is also possible that the property in question is destroyed and will need to be considered a total loss. The amount paid out on a claim will tend to reflect the specific damage that is verified during this process. However, some property owners may be able to get a larger settlement by having their property damage claims lawyers negotiate for a greater amount.
Costs of property damage
It is possible that property damage can cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix or even more. Most home and business owners will only be able to cover the sudden expenses and costs associated with property damage through various types of insurance. Homeowners insurance, flood insurance, auto insurance, and various types of business insurance are common in Florida for these reasons. But property damage can be very expensive, and there is no guarantee that an insurance company will cover all or much of the cost.
Property damage insurance problems in Florida
Even when a relevant insurance policy is in place, the property owner can have difficulty getting answers or financial assistance from their provider. Insurance providers regularly tell property owners that their policy does not cover the reported damage, that they are still working to process a claim, or they can be difficult to get in contact with to get any kind of answers. Insurance regulations in Florida are supposed to help consumers and property owners avoid these kinds of issues, however, assistance from property damage attorneys can be necessary as well if the insurance company is not following the law.
How property damage claims should be filed
Policyholders can take some precautions to avoid claim denials, delays, and other problems. First of all, any valuable real or personal property should be covered with the relevant type of insurance well in advance of an accident. Many insurance companies are available to speak with a property owner to understand their needs and provide sufficient coverage. Insurance professionals also recommend having an inventory of property with the value of each item. When an incident happens, the damage should be documented through pictures and reported to the insurance company. If there are any urgent repairs, these should be made immediately and documentation related to the repairs and costs should be retained as evidence. It is also important to follow all of the relevant rules when a claim is filed, which will help ensure that the documents are processed properly. Property owners also are urged to obtain repair estimates from reputable contractors, as this helps prove the value of their losses and these estimates can be shared with any adjuster who reviews the damage. Even if these steps are followed, property damage claims attorneys may be necessary to assist with filing the documents and following up with the insurance company.
Property damage claims lawyers in Florida
Legal professionals can be retained to assist with various problems during the property damage claim process. Insurance companies can often be unresponsive, especially if a major disaster caused large amounts of property damage to several thousand homes at once. A response from property damage attorneys that demands compliance with the relevant insurance laws and regulations is one way to get the insurance company’s attention. The property damage attorneys can also carefully review the policy, language, review the claims and other relevant documentation, and then see if their actions are legitimate or if they are trying to offer a very low settlement to try to get rid of the claim.
Damage claim denials
One of the most common reasons why people contact property damage lawyers in Florida is if their claim has been denied and no money was paid out. There can be several reasons why this happens, and sometimes it is due to illegal actions by the insurance company. The insurance company may have made some kind of administrative mistake, they could be overwhelmed with claims resulting in excessive delays, or they may be looking for reasons to not pay the claim.
Review by property damage claims attorneys can be the most effective way to find out if the insurance company had a good reason to deny a claim or not.
Bad faith property damage claim denials
Insurance companies may sometimes cross boundaries when they attempt to save money. One of the most extreme and unethical things that an insurance provider can do is to deny a claim in bad faith. This means that the insurance provider received a legitimate claim that should have been investigated and paid out, but chose to not give the claimant any money based on some kind of excuse or other forms of dishonesty. Unfortunately, many property owners are left on their own to pay for damage after this happens, and not all bad faith denials are caught.
While bad faith property claim denials sound terrible, they are a regular problem in the insurance industry and property damage lawyers in Florida routinely sue insurance companies for this reason. Over the years, numerous insurance companies in Florida have faced consequences for engaging in these practices and mistreating their customers. Even when an insurance company has been sued in the past for these kinds of actions, they may still be allowed to offer insurance policies in the state.
Florida property damage claim attorneys are available to provide more information
Madalon Law is an experienced firm with multiple offices in Florida. Their property damage attorneys are available to provide additional information about these issues along with more specific advice for anyone who needs assistance. They have a record of success when dealing with insurance companies and getting clients a sufficient amount of compensation after a claim denial or low settlement offer.
