Homeowners and those who have properties in Florida are aware of the potential for roof damage. The state experiences hurricanes, large volumes of rain, wind, hail, and other types of weather that tend to wear a roof over time or destroy the structure entirely in a severe storm. Homeowners insurance is the best form of protection when these kinds of issues happen, but filing a claim and getting a sufficient amount of compensation for repairs is not always easy. Florida roof damage claims lawyers are often the best way for a property owner to get answers about their insurance process and make sure their insurance provider is following the applicable rules.
Here is an overview of the problems that can occur after reporting roof damage to an insurance company, and why roof damage claims insurance lawyers in Florida may need to assist with this process when certain issues emerge.
After a storm, homeowners may notice leaks on the interior of their property, pieces of the roof that are visibly damaged or missing, and other problems. However, roof damage requires a special set of skills to analyze and repair, which means that the property owner will need to retain a roofing company for estimates, repairs, and other related services. Damage to a roof and the related structures is not always easily visible, and professionals need to perform a number of different tasks to check the integrity of the roof and see if it is safe to remain in the home or property. However, it is usually worth the time to find a trusted roofing company and allow them to provide repair estimates and other information that can be used to support insurance claims and the reported damage. The documentation from the roofing company can also be shared with roof damage claims attorneys if necessary. Roofing companies also have to correct errors made by insurance companies and adjusters that can result in less money being paid out if they are not caught.
A roof may need to be entirely replaced if the repair company finds that the damage is very extensive or if it will be too difficult to create a patchwork set of repairs with many different kinds of replacement parts and shingles. An entire new roof can easily cost several thousand dollars or more if insurance does not help cover any of the costs. Even if an insurance company is willing to help pay for the roof damage, the homeowner can still be responsible for paying a large deductible before the insurance coverage pays the rest. Because of these high costs tied to roof damage issues, it is imperative that the property owner gets as much financial assistance as possible from their insurance provider.
Because of large amounts of rain and the potential for floods, properties in Florida experience floods regularly. Homeowners should be aware that their standard homeowners insurance policy will not cover flood damage, and they may need a separate flood insurance policy if they are located in a designated flood zone. It is even possible that flood waters can reach several feet of depth and roof damage can occur during a flood associated with a hurricane or extended periods of rain. This kind of damage is only covered when there is a relevant flood insurance policy in place. Florida roof damage claims insurance lawyers can also handle issues related to flooding and flood insurance if a dispute arises.
Because insurance companies receive large amounts of claims after severe weather events, they attempt to deny claims to save money. Sometimes the company has a genuine reason to not pay a claim, but there are known problems with the insurance industry trying to save money in unethical ways.
There are roof damage claims insurance lawyers who focus on issues with insurance companies and the claim process. After someone has filed their initial claim, they may find that their insurance provider takes too long to respond, does not respond at all, makes mistakes in the administration of the claim, offers a very low amount to settle or close the claim, or denies the claim entirely for an illegitimate reason. Legal advice is crucial after any of these problems happen. This is because a lawyer can review the policy, look at the insurance company’s actions, check the claim, and then see if the insurance provider is acting illegally or violating the policy’s terms. While this may seem shocking, insurance companies regularly face lawsuits and other consequences for things like bad faith claim denials, and Florida roof damage claims lawyers also routinely negotiate on a clients behalf to get a much larger settlement amount.
It is possible that the roof damage claim will not be paid out by the insurance provider. The property owner can look for obvious issues first. It is important to check if the claim was filed on time, if the type of damage was covered under the policy in effect, or if any mistakes were made during the claim. All of the documentation related to the initial claim should be retained, and a written copy of the policy can be reviewed by a legal professional.
When the situation cannot be resolved by the policyholder, they can consult with Florida roof damage claims insurance attorneys to see what other actions may be necessary to get a settlement from the insurance company through negotiations or file a lawsuit. If the insurance company has acted in bad faith to dent a legitimate claim, they may face additional consequences.
Anyone who wants to learn more about insurance claims and roof damage can get in touch with experienced roof damage claims lawyers in Florida. Madalon Law is a trusted firm with offices in multiple locations throughout the state. Their attorneys can provide additional advice during a consultation, and they are available to represent homeowners who need to take legal action against their insurer.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON INSURANCE CLAIMS, CLICK HERE.
Most people are not aware of how the law works, the rights they have and the amount of compensation they can be entitled to after they have been injured in an accident that was the result of another party’s negligence. The obstacles and confusion that follow an accident and an injury can seem overwhelming.