After a storm, the damage to your home or property can feel overwhelming, and dealing with your insurance company shouldn’t make it worse. Unfortunately, many insurers try to minimize payouts or deny valid claims, leaving policyholders struggling to recover what they’re owed.
Whether you’re preparing to file a claim, appealing a denial, or evaluating a settlement offer, Anidjar & Levine is ready to fight for you. Our Fort Lauderdale storm loss property claim lawyers can take on the insurance company directly, protecting your rights, fighting for the compensation you need, and helping you focus on rebuilding and getting your life back to normal.
Call today for help from our Fort Lauderdale property claim lawyers.
How A Lawyer Can Help With Your Fort Lauderdale Storm Loss Property Damage 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.
Once you hire a lawyer from our firm, you won’t have to deal directly with the insurance company anymore. If an adjuster or representative reaches out, you can simply refer them to your attorney. We’ll handle all communication on your behalf, so you never have to worry about saying something that could affect your claim. After we gather and present sufficient proof of your losses, we’ll work to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurer.
If your insurance company continues to deny your claim, offers less than you deserve, or delays resolution, our team can take legal action on your behalf. When we file a lawsuit and win, the insurer may be required to pay your full property loss claim along with our attorney’s fees. In most cases, we can reach a fair settlement before trial, but if the insurance company refuses to cooperate, we will not hesitate to take your case to court.
Insurance Issues Our Storm Loss Property Claim Attorneys In Fort Lauderdale Often See
Even when you have faithfully paid your insurance premiums, problems can still arise when it’s time to file a storm loss property claim. Many homeowners encounter delays, denials, or low settlement offers that make recovery more difficult. The following are some of the most common issues policyholders face when dealing with their insurance companies.
An Insurance Company May Deny Your Storm Loss Property Claim
There are several reasons your insurance company may have denied coverage. An adjuster might allege that you breached your policy by failing to report the loss right away, or claim that your specific type of damage isn’t covered under your policy. Because insurance claims require extensive paperwork and documentation, even a minor error or omission can result in a denial.
We can investigate the reason for the claim denial and appeal the insurance company’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 damage 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, our Fort Lauderdale storm loss property claim attorneys can help you hold them accountable.
An Insurance Company May Undervalue Your Storm Loss Property Claim
You should always read the fine print and confirm that the proceeds your insurer offers truly cover all of your losses. Too often, insurance adjusters pay for only part of the damage, hoping you won’t notice what’s missing.
If the offer seems too low, request an itemized breakdown of what the payment includes. Compare it carefully with your own list of property damage to ensure nothing is left out or undervalued. Don’t let the insurer shortchange you on what you’re owed.
Before accepting any offer, we strongly recommend that you review it with our team. You’ve paid your premiums, and you deserve the full benefits of your policy; we can help you make sure you receive them.
Keep in mind that insurers may take time to investigate your storm loss claim, determine your coverage amount, and issue payment. However, Florida law prohibits insurance companies from wrongfully denying claims, underpaying policyholders, or delaying coverage without justification. When they do, our Fort Lauderdale storm loss property claim lawyers are ready to step in and fight for you.
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 damage
- Wind-driven rain damage
- Water damage
- Roof damage
- Structural damage from fallen debris
- Lightning damage
Flood damage is typically not covered by a standard homeowners policy.
Not All Weather Conditions Are Treated Equally By Insurers
In Florida, a wide range of weather events can cause serious property damage. Tropical depressions, tropical storms, tornadoes, lightning, high winds, hail, and storm surge can all wreak havoc, sometimes just as much as a hurricane.
Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always see it that way. They may argue that certain types of storms or weather events don’t qualify for coverage and use that as a reason to deny your claim. Our team will carefully review your policy to determine exactly what types of damage are covered and identify any exclusions. We work to protect you from the tactics insurers use to avoid their financial responsibilities and ensure you get the coverage you’ve paid for.
Act Quickly To Protect Your Rights
Deadlines apply whether you’re filing a property damage claim or pursuing a lawsuit. Our team can determine how much time you have to take action and ensure you meet all state-imposed requirements. Acting quickly is essential to protect your right to compensation.
If negotiations with your insurer don’t result in a fair settlement, we may need to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. This deadline starts running from the date your property was damaged, not when the storm damage insurance claims process ends. Because we need time to investigate your case, gather evidence, and negotiate effectively, it’s best to contact us as soon as possible.
Failing to file your claim or lawsuit in time could mean losing your opportunity to recover what you’re owed. Don’t let an insurance company undervalue or deny your claim. Our Fort Lauderdale lawyers can manage every step of the process and make sure your case moves forward on time.
Let Our Fort Lauderdale Storm Loss Property Claim Attorneys Help You File Or Appeal Your Claim
Our storm loss property damage claim lawyers in Fort Lauderdale can help you go after the compensation you deserve. At Anidjar & Levine, we understand that you have other things to do, like working 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 mistake that could cost you everything. We can handle the entire process. Call for a free, no-obligation consultation to see how we can help.
We Can Help.
