Property, whether residential or commercial, is typically the biggest investment a property owner  makes.  As a homeowner, commercial property owner or business owner, it is vital that you safeguard your investment with purchasing insurance to protect you in the event that your property suffers damage from a casualty loss. 

About 3.5 million people file a property insurance claim every year. Unfortunately, many people are unable to recover the amount of funds that they are entitled to from their insurance company on their own. Insurance companies very often delay, underpay – or deny valid insurance claims. You don’t have to simply accept the insurance company’s decision and amounts paid if the funds are not enough to place your home in its pre-loss condition and the claim is a covered loss under your policy terms.  You have the right to challenge an underpayment or denial of a valid claim.

Learn how skilled and knowledgeable property damage attorneys can help you get the recovery you are entitled to. 

Handling Evidence 

To obtain a positive recovery in a property damage insurance claims the dispute and ensuing potential lawsuit much be set up correctly to abide by the conditions for same per  your insurance policy.  This is called supporting evidence which will not only properly document your loss but will be needed to prove the case. You have requirements for the  filing of your claim that pertain to your property.  There are also docunents which are not mandatory and will give you a positive approach to a positive result.  One of these items is an inspection report obtained in connection with the purchase of the property, when obtaining insurance or when renewing with a wind mitigation credit.  Take photos and video of your property both before and after a loss, and make sure not to remove any items that were part of your property damage before your insurance company has a chance to inspect it unless absolutely necessary.  If damaged property is removed, make sure to document it and take photos.

All of this can be used as supporting evidence if your case has to go to court. We will help build a stronger case for you and prove what you are allowed because of your property damage. 

Reviewing Laws and Contracts 

An experienced property damage attorney interpreting insurance policies and the relevant insurance statutes that govern them. Your insurance policy has conditions, duties and requirements that you have to comply with before and after filing a property damage insurance claim.  Most insureds do not know what these conditions are, let alone how to comply with them.  If not responded to correctly, it may affect your rights and resolution of your claim. Hiring a lawyer is the best way to ensure you are in compliance with your obligations. 

There are also various duties and obligations that insurance companies owes to you, their policyholders. There are certain deadlines which insurance companies must comply with when presented with notice of a loss and claim.  For example, in Florida an insurance company must acknowledge your property damage claim within a specific time frame after receiving it and must undertake other actions within other specific time frames, including a deadline for paying or denying a claim. 

A good property damage attorney will also have extensive knowledge and skill to navigate your policy and the complex insurance statutes. They will understand the laws that govern your circumstances and know how they impact your insurance claim.

We know the proper processes for filing the claim and communicating with insurance companies. If you are offered a settlement, we they will be able to evaluate the offer with the terms of the policy to assist  you on the pros and cons of the offer made.  

Legal Muscle

Finally, a good property damage attorney can provide you with legal muscle and negotiating power against an insurance company. Let's face it, insurance companies can be intimidating to go up against because they are large companies with deep pockets. On top of this, it is their business to handle insurance claims and when they cannot be settled with their insured, they hire experienced attorneys to defend claims and litigate filed lawsuits for the insurance companies. 

What can you do to level the playing field? You can hire a property damage lawyer who knows the score and one who is not easily intimidated by other lawyers. A qualified attorney will be able to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. This not only ensures that the claim process is handled properly, but it alleviates the need for you to do it yourself.

While property damage claims can go to trial, most cases settle out of court. For this reason, many claims are not about either winning or losing, but the ability to get the best possible compensation for the damage you experienced given the facts of your claim.

Hire an Attorney to Help You With Your Insurance Claim 

If you have experienced major property damage and your insurance company has let you down by failing to properly, fully and timely pay your insurance claim, it may be time to take legal action.  That is where a property damage lawyer comes into play. Do you want to get what is rightfully yours?  Do you want to recover the money for repairs as soon as possible, so that you can move on with your life?  Insurance claims can drag on for long periods, especially in complex situations where insurance companies are pushing back. A property damage attorney will ensure that your case gets settled as soon as possible. 

Do not hesitate to contact us to schedule a consultation session. We will discuss your needs and provide you with the necessary information to move forward.