When your Miami property is damaged or destroyed, one of the first steps you take will likely involve turning to your insurance company for coverage. If you find that your insurer is either denying or undervaluing your claim, you may want to consider mediation and settlement as a possibility for resolution.
The mediation process can help you and your insurance company reach a fair settlement for the cost of repairing or rebuilding your covered losses. Mediation can potentially save time and avoid a lengthy court case. Additionally, mediation is a chance for your voice to be heard and your needs made clear.
You may want the knowledge and resources of a legal professional on your side during your mediation hearing. To learn more about what this entails, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation.
Mediation Can Help You Avoid Going to Court
When your insurance company denies your claim or offers you a settlement that will not fully cover your losses, you can choose mediation to reach an agreement. According to the 2019 Florida Statutes, this meeting is an informal attempt to resolve a claim between you and your insurer.
Florida’s Department of Financial Services offers mediation and neutral evaluation to help settle insurance claim disputes. According to the Division of Consumer Services, a mediation is overseen by a neutral third party who has no stake in the process’s outcome.
What does a Mediator Do?
The mediator’s goal is to guide both parties to a beneficial resolution, as opposed to a judge whose final ruling favors one party. At the mediation, which is a voluntary and confidential process, you will have the opportunity to show why your claim is worth what you think it’s worth, and the insurer will explain its position.
From there, negotiation will take place, and your lawyer can take the lead. If you reach an agreement with your insurance company during mediation but later find that the resolution does not work in your best interests, you have three days to reject the decision. An agreement is not legally binding until both parties have signed it. Of course, our lawyer will review all drafted agreements before you sign them, ensuring that it is fair and enforceable.
Should you accept the terms of the mediation agreement, you will be provided with a written report of the meeting and its outcome. A Miami state mediation lawyer can help ensure your covered losses are thoroughly evaluated. Additionally, they can ensure that any settlement you reach during mediation is enough to fully reimburse you for your expenses.
For a free, no-obligation consultation, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733.
Make the Most of Your Mediation Session
A Miami state mediation lawyer can make your meeting as productive as possible by:
- Ensuring you understand how the process works and setting realistic expectations for a likely outcome: They can clarify any laws or legal issues you have and explain the rules of mediation. They also can help you develop a strategy for mediation and draw up agreements during the process. You should feel comfortable asking your attorney questions and expect them to update you throughout the process.
- Collecting evidence that provides proof of your damages, along with an estimated value of your losses: Such evidence can include receipts, estimates, invoices, emails, phone records, witness testimony, and other electronic or written documentation. You may also have photos and videos that help document your losses.
- Helping you understand your options for financial recovery: An attorney can advise you on decisions about a settlement and may even help you find options you may not know you have.
- Protecting you against bad faith insurance practices: Such practices can include insurers delaying a settlement, making unreasonable demands, or failing to communicate with you about its decision.
When you work with a member of our legal team, we can help make sure that you reap the benefits of mediation as you seek the compensation you need to cover your expenses.
How a Lawyer Can Help You Prepare for Mediation
While mediation is not an official court proceeding, it is still important to prepare for it and know what to expect. Enlisting the help of an attorney can be beneficial in various ways. They can help you stay on track and understand the time that the process involves. They can handle important paperwork and know what paperwork you will need during your mediation.
An attorney can evaluate whether the mediator has the right background and qualifications for your session. For example, they will know what to look for to determine if the mediator has experience handling mediation matters involving insurance coverage.
They also can help you anticipate what the insurer’s position is on the matter and come up with a counterargument. It also would help if you and your attorney discuss possible solutions that could help you get to an agreement with the other side.
What Happens If You Can’t Reach an Agreement With the Insurance Company?
The goal of mediation is to come to an agreement without getting the court involved. But sometimes, that isn’t possible. If you can’t come to an agreement with the insurance company, we can advise you on your next steps.
If pursuing legal action is the next step, we can review what it will cost to continue with legal services and what your case’s timeline would look like at that point. If your case goes to trial, a judge and/or jury will decide the dispute’s outcome.
Call a Miami State Mediation Lawyer’s Office Today
Mediation can help you reach an agreement with your insurance company that allows you to start rebuilding your damaged property. A Miami state mediation lawyer can help negotiate a favorable settlement without having to go to court. If you take your case before a judge, your attorney can represent your best interests.
You do not have to attend an insurance mediation without a lawyer in your corner. For more information on our services, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation.
We Can Help.
