After a storm, your home or property may have suffered damage, and you may be experiencing difficulty with your homeowners insurance claim. Insurers may try to undervalue your losses or deny your claim entirely. Whether you are about to make a claim, appealing a denial, or assessing a settlement offer, we can help.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can work directly with your insurer so that you can focus on getting your life back to normal. Our Fort Lauderdale storm loss property claim lawyers can handle your claim from beginning to end.
What Your Insurance Policy May Cover
Insurance policies usually involve strict exclusions regarding specific types of damages. Depending on your policy and the extent of damage to your property, your insurance may cover the cost of repairs for:
- Wind and wind-driven rain damage
- Flooding
- Structural damage from fallen debris
- Lightning damage
If your home was damaged beyond repair, your policy may cover the actual cash value of the home or the replacement cost. Some homeowners may have the ability to choose between the two, and we can advise you on which route is best for you.
An Insurer May Deny Your Storm Loss Property Claim
There are several reasons why you may have received a denial of coverage. A claims adjuster might accuse you of breaching the insurance contract because you did not report the loss immediately. They may claim your insurance policy does not cover the type of loss you experienced. Claims involve ample paperwork and documentation, and even the slightest error could lead to a denial.
We can investigate the reason for the denial and appeal the adjuster’s decision. We can submit additional documentation to prove your losses and negotiate a fair settlement.
An Insurer May Delay Your Storm Loss Property Claim
When a massive storm, such as a strong hurricane, devastates an area, an insurance company can get hit with hundreds or even thousands of storm loss property loss claims. Some insurers do not have enough employees to process the influx of claims quickly. As a result, some people end up waiting six months or longer after a storm to get the money they need to repair their homes.
If your homeowners insurance is with a small company that does not have enough assets to pay all the outstanding claims at one time, the insurer might create delays to buy time. This situation can result in homeowners having to wait longer than they should to receive their insurance coverage. In the meantime, they may have to temporarily relocate, costing them further losses in hotel stays or other accommodations.
If you think your insurance company has violated your rights under the Florida Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights, we can help you hold them accountable.
An Insurer May Undervalue Your Storm Loss Property Claim
You need to read the fine print and make sure that the proceeds the insurer offers you cover all the damage. Sometimes, an insurance adjuster will only pay for some of the damage and hope that you overlook the rest. If you paid your premiums, you are entitled to the full coverage of your policy, and we can help you fight for it.
If the insurer offers an amount that you feel is too low, ask for an itemized breakdown of what the proceeds will cover. Cross-check the items against your list of the damage to your property. Make sure that the insurer does not short you on any of your losses.
An insurance company can take some time to investigate your storm loss property claim, determine how much money the insurer has to pay under your policy, and send you the payout. Florida law does not allow insurance companies to wrongfully deny claims, pay less than required by the policy, or unreasonably delay coverage. When that happens, our storm loss property claim lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can step in and argue on your behalf.
Storm Damage Can Result from Various Weather Conditions
Here in Florida, we face many types of weather events that can damage property. Tropical depressions, tropical storms, tornadoes, lightning, high winds, hail, and storm surge can do as much damage as a hurricane.
Unfortunately, an insurer may try to argue that a particular natural occurrence does not qualify you for coverage and attempt to deny your claim. We will read your policy to see what types of storm damage it covers and what it excludes from coverage. We protect our clients from the tricky tactics that some insurers use to try to get out of their financial obligations.
How a Lawyer Can Help with Your Fort Lauderdale Storm Loss Property Claim
Florida law does not require you to work with a lawyer on your storm loss property claim, but it can take the weight of the claims or legal process off your shoulders. We can explain what your policy covers, along with the fine print an insurer may try to use against you. We can investigate the property damage and gather evidence to prove the extent and value of your loss.
You will not have to deal directly with the insurer after you hire a lawyer from our firm to represent you. If the adjuster or anyone else from the insurance company calls, you can direct them to your lawyer. We can handle all of the communications with the insurer so you do not have to worry about saying anything that could compromise your claim. After we supply adequate proof of your losses, we can try to settle your claim with the insurer.
If the insurer continues to deny your claim, offers less than you deserve, or takes too long to resolve your property loss claim, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf. If we win, the insurer might have to pay your property loss claim and our attorney’s fees. Usually, we are able to settle before taking a case to trial, but we will not hesitate to do so if necessary.
Act Quickly to Protect Your Rights
Whether you are filing a claim or lawsuit, deadlines apply. We can determine how long you have to take action and comply with any relevant state-imposed deadlines. It is important for you to act quickly to secure your rights to compensation.
For example, if negotiations with an insurer do not yield a fair settlement, we will have to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations. This deadline begins counting down from the time your home suffered damage, regardless of how long the claims process takes. We need time to investigate your case, gather evidence, and negotiate, so the sooner you reach out to us, the better.
If you fail to file a claim or lawsuit in time, you risk losing your chance to recover compensation. Do not let an insurer get away with undervaluing or denying your claim. Our lawyers serving Fort Lauderdale can handle the entire process in a timely manner.
Let Us Help You File or Appeal Your Claim
Our storm loss property claim lawyers in Fort Lauderdale can help you go after the compensation you deserve. At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we understand that you have other things to do, like going to your job and repairing your home or business property. When we take care of your loss claim, you can focus on the other tasks you need to do.
When you work with us, you will not have to worry about missing the deadline or making a blunder that could cost you everything. We can handle the entire process. Call for a free, no-obligation consultation to see how we can help. Dial (954) 525-0050 to speak to a representative.
We Can Help.
