If you had property damage at your West Palm Beach home, your insurance company must deal in good faith to settle a property claim for your covered losses. However, insurers may unfairly deny your claim, delay processing, or attempt to undervalue your losses.
A property claim lawyer in West Palm Beach, FL from The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help hold your insurance company accountable for settling your claim. We will fight to get you the maximum compensation for your covered losses.
Call the West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a free consultation.
Types of West Palm Beach Property Claims Our Lawyers Handle
Although the West Palm Beach property claim lawyers at The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can assist you with all types of West Palm Beach property claims, the most common issues we see from our clients involve damages caused by:
Windstorms
Our area sees a lot of heavy winds, often caused by hurricanes, tropical storms, and thunderstorms. Damage can occur from the wind, which is often strong enough to tear shingles or shutters directly off of buildings.
The wind can also pick up debris and throw it against property at high velocities, causing additional damage to a roof, windows, fences, and walls. In some cases, the debris can enter homes, causing interior damage.
Wind-Driven Rain
Strong winds can actually end up causing water damage in some situations. The wind could blow the rain up under shingles, causing roof damage and leaks. We’ve also seen rain blown into garages and other spaces, where the water can cause serious damage.
Downed Trees
Strong winds can knock branches off of trees or bring down entire trees. Trees are more likely to topple if there has also been heavy rain, as this loosens the soil around their roots. Trees may fall directly on cars, homes, or other buildings.
Lightning
Lightning strikes carry a tremendous amount of destructive power. They can splinter trees and cause significant damage to buildings. Strikes also have the potential to start fires, resulting in additional destruction in West Palm Beach.
Hail
Sudden changes in pressure can result in hail. We often see hail during major thunderstorms or around tornados. Large hail often causes property damage to roofs, windows, cars, and even the sides of buildings.
Fire
Many different issues can result in fire damage. Fires often start due to electrical issues, problems in the kitchen, or clogs in dryer vents. Fires can spread quickly and may also require soot, smoke, and ash cleanup.
Plumbing Accidents
Finally, some damage comes from issues with plumbing systems in West Palm Beach. Our team can step in to help if a sewer line, water line, or pipe ruptured on your property. This often results in significant water damage and may lead to mold growth throughout your home or business.
Insurance and Coverage for Property Claims in West Palm Beach
Depending on the terms of your policy, homeowners’ insurance typically covers damage caused by an inevitable accident or an uncontrollable natural hazard (sometimes called an “Act of God”). Most standard policies do not cover flooding that occurs from a storm surge or accumulated precipitation. However, if you have supplemental flood insurance, you can submit a claim to that insurer for any damage caused by flooding.
Homeowners turn to our West Palm Beach property claim lawyers for assistance with submitting their original claim to help ensure a prompt settlement for a fair value based on their covered losses.
However, we often encounter clients who are fighting to obtain a fair settlement from their insurance company. Insurers may act in bad faith in an attempt to minimize the amount of money they have to pay out. Some common examples of this include:
- Denying your claim without explanation
- Denying that you have valid coverage in force
- Denying that your policy covers your damage
- Undervaluing your losses
- Delaying the processing of your claim
- Refusing to investigate (adjust) your claim
- Making false or misleading statements
- Discouraging you from working with a lawyer
Our legal team stands up to insurance companies to ensure they negotiate your claim in good faith. We can help you recover compensation for your covered losses and get you a settlement as quickly as possible.
A Special Note Regarding Hurricane Coverage in Florida
As we mentioned, many insurance companies do not automatically cover flood damage. In fact, you may not have to carry flood insurance if you live in a low-risk area.
Hurricane coverage works in a similar fashion in Florida. Insurance companies often write policies that exclude compensation for damages caused by these large storms. We recommend checking your policy before hurricane season to determine if you have this kind of coverage or if you need to purchase a separate policy.
Florida’s Single Season Hurricane Deductible
Depending upon the kind of coverage you have, you may qualify for Florida’s single season hurricane deductible, according to the Division of Consumer Services. You must pay this deductible before receiving coverage from your insurance policy.
However, you do not have to pay the deductible over again if you sustain damage from multiple hurricanes in a single calendar year. Once you pay the deductible, it’s considered fully paid for the rest of the year, making it easier to get insurance compensation.
A Property Claim Lawyer in West Palm Beach Can Help
The property claim lawyers at The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine are committed to helping you recover fair financial compensation for your covered losses.
We provide compassionate representation tailored to meet your unique needs. We will by your side, answering your questions and providing regular updates and information.
Our services to you include:
- Handling every aspect and detail of your case
- Investigating your claim and documenting your damages
- Establishing and documenting the value of your losses
- Submitting your claim and demand to the insurance company
- Negotiating to obtain a prompt, fair settlement of your claim
We will protect your legal rights and communicate with all parties on your behalf. The insurance company may request a recorded statement or ask you to sign a liability waiver. Because insurers sometimes use these techniques to take away your right to collect a settlement, never provide a statement, sign any documents, or agree to any settlement without first consulting a property claim lawyer.
Time is of the essence when filing an insurance claim and pursuing legal action against your insurance company. Contact our office today to preserve your right to recover compensation for your property damage claim.
If we cannot convince the insurance company to resolve your claim quickly and fairly, we will determine whether you may want to file a lawsuit. Although this course of action is rarely necessary, it can prove effective for compelling the insurer to resolve your claim in good faith.
Calculating the Value of Your West Palm Beach Property Damage Claim
Accurately calculating and documenting your property damage claim helps us recover the compensation you need to repair your home and property. To determine the value of your claim, our legal team will investigate and identify all covered losses you sustained. We will thoroughly document your claim to help us obtain a fair settlement as quickly as possible.
Although your claim’s value will depend on the nature of your property damage and the coverage provided by your policy, your claim may include some of the following items:
- Damage to the structure and interior of your home
- Damage to porches, patios, site walls, swimming pool, etc.
- Damage to detached structures such as a guesthouse, workshop, or garage
- Damaged or destroyed personal property and contents
- Expenses for covered items you already replaced
- Expenses for mold remediation, water extraction, fire cleanup, etc.
- Expenses for boarding up and securing your property
- Expenses for protecting your property from further damage
- Expenses for alternate living arrangements if you cannot stay in your home
If you had insurance riders for typically excluded items, such as art, jewelry, furs, etc., we will also include those in your claim.
We will support your claim using the necessary documentation, which may include:
- Photos or videos of your property prior to the damage
- Photos and videos of the damage you sustained
- Repair estimates from qualified contractors
- Receipts for replacement items
- Receipts from disaster remediation and board-up contractors
- Appraisals for specially covered items
- Itemized lists of damaged or lost contents
- Receipts for hotel stays or short-term rentals, meals, transportation, etc.
Contact us as soon as possible for a free review of your coverages to ensure you comply with all obligations of your policy. Otherwise, the insurer may attempt to deny your claim.
Common Types of Property Damage Claims in West Palm Beach
Property owners in West Palm Beach frequently encounter challenges that necessitate filing an insurance claim. Understanding these common types of property damage can help navigate the claims process more effectively. One prevalent issue is hurricane and storm damage. Florida’s hurricane season brings strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding, causing significant structural damage to homes and businesses. Water damage is another common problem, often resulting from leaking pipes, roof leaks, or sewer backups. Such issues can lead to water intrusion, mold growth, and structural deterioration.
Fire and smoke damage also pose significant risks. Fires can destroy property and personal belongings, while smoke can cause additional harm to areas not directly affected by flames. Theft and vandalism are concerns as well; break-ins and acts of vandalism can lead to property loss and necessitate repairs or replacements. Additionally, sinkhole damage is a unique risk in Florida due to its geological landscape, making properties susceptible to severe foundational issues that render them unsafe.
Being aware of these common causes can help you take appropriate steps when filing a claim, ensuring you receive the compensation you’re entitled to under your insurance policy.
Challenges Faced When Dealing with Insurance Companies
Filing a property damage claim can be a complex and frustrating process. Insurance companies may employ tactics that make it difficult for policyholders to receive fair compensation. One common challenge is claim denials, where insurers assert that the damage is not covered under the policy or resulted from pre-existing conditions. Delayed payments present another obstacle, as prolonged processing times can put financial strain on property owners needing immediate repairs.
Underpayment of claims is also a frequent issue. Insurance companies might offer settlements that do not fully cover the cost of repairs or replacements, forcing homeowners to bear out-of-pocket expenses. Misinterpretation of policy terms can further complicate matters, with adjusters interpreting language in a way that minimizes the insurer’s payout obligations. In some cases, insurers may engage in bad faith practices, such as misrepresenting facts or failing to conduct a proper investigation.
Awareness of these potential obstacles can help you prepare and respond effectively during the claims process.
How a Property Claim Lawyer Can Assist You
Engaging a property claim lawyer can significantly improve your chances of receiving fair compensation. An experienced attorney can interpret complex policy language, helping you understand the terms, coverage limits, and exclusions to ensure all applicable damages are claimed. They can document and assess the damage thoroughly, working with experts to provide accurate evaluations that strengthen your claim.
A lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, advocating for a fair settlement that covers all your losses. If necessary, they can handle legal proceedings by filing a lawsuit against the insurer for breach of contract or bad faith practices. Additionally, a property claim lawyer ensures compliance with all deadlines, managing paperwork to guarantee that claims are filed within required time frames and preventing denial based on technicalities.
By having legal representation, you can navigate the complexities of the claims process more effectively, allowing you to focus on repairing your property and moving forward.
Free West Palm Beach Property Claim Consultation & Policy Review
At The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, our property claim lawyers understand the complex nature of insurance law and we are not afraid to take on even the biggest insurance companies. You deserve a compassionate legal advocate fighting to get you every dollar you deserve for your damages.
We can answer your questions and help you explore your legal options. Our team will work diligently to obtain a speedy resolution to your case, and we never collect a fee until you recover compensation for your covered losses.
For a free, no-obligation review of your policy, contact us today.
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