
Property insurance is supposed to be your safety net in case your home or business is damaged or destroyed by a hurricane. Some St. Petersburg property owners, unfortunately, have discovered that their insurance company does not always fulfill its obligations after such a disaster.
A St. Petersburg property claim lawyer with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine will pursue the benefits that you may be entitled to receive. We can help you whether you have been turned down by your insurance company or received a lowball offer.
We Seek Full and Fair Compensation on a Contingency-Fee Basis
As Floridians, we understand the stress, fear, and exhaustion after a hurricane or tropical storm. It is overwhelming to see your home or business severely damaged or, worse yet, swept away by storm surges or catastrophic winds. Recent hurricanes Michael and Irma left multiple areas of Florida devastated, as we know.
One of our hurricane property claim lawyers in St. Petersburg will deal with your insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve. In doing so, our firm offers a free case review. If we can help you with a disputed or denied insurance claim, you pay us only when and if we recover compensation. You do not need more financial pressure on top of a damaged or destroyed home or business.
Insurance Companies Will Try These Tactics to Avoid Paying Your Claim
If you are a policyholder in good standing, your insurance company should do the right thing and pay you the benefits you are owed. In our experience, some insurance companies will use questionable tactics to discourage you from pursuing compensation.
Some of the excuses that insurance companies use to turn down legitimate claims include:
- Your policy does not cover the damage;
- You did not properly maintain the property;
- Your first application was inaccurate, or your coverage is somehow invalid; or
- You did not send enough proof that your home or business is damaged.
A hurricane property claim lawyer at our firm serving St. Petersburg will stand up to the insurance adjuster to get you the benefits you deserve. If necessary, we will help you file a bad faith claim if the insurer doesn’t cooperate.
One of Our Hurricane Property Claim Lawyers Can Tell You Which Damages are Covered
Many homeowners do not know exactly what their property insurance covers. Still, insurance companies know that there is a lot of fine print in their policies, and they are hoping you become discouraged and give up if your claim is denied.
A member of our legal team in St. Petersburg will read your policy and tell you exactly what damages are covered. Your attorney can also help you prepare your claim to make sure it is detailed and complete. Doing so gives the insurance company one less excuse to turn down your claim.
Timing is Crucial for Filing a Property Damage Claim
Both you and your insurance company are to abide by certain time frames when dealing with a property damages claim. As such, how long you have to submit your claim depends on your policy, so it’s best to get started on it as soon as you can. If you are unable to meet the deadline, you risk your right to damages.
As for the insurance company, the Florida Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights says they might be penalized if they don’t:
- Acknowledge your damage claim within 14 days of your submission
- Tell you whether or not they will honor your claim after 30 days
- Send you a settlement within 90 days
If the process doesn’t go as planned, you have the option to go to mediation, which is when you discuss your claim with the appointed insurance representative, as well as a neutral third party (the mediator).
What Hurricane Property Damage Insurance Can Cover
Even though it is not required by the state, it is a good idea for all Floridians to purchase hurricane insurance so that you have financial protection from damage or loss that occurs from a hurricane or associated windstorms caused by the hurricane.
According to Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, the following losses may be covered:
- Damage to the interior and/or exterior of your house
- Vehicle damage
- Removing damage or debris around your house
- Coverage for hotel costs if you couldn’t stay in your house
- Coverage for any of your possessions that were lost to the hurricane
It is important to keep in mind that this policy does not include flood insurance, as that is purchased separately.
If you have questions about your property insurance coverage, how to file a property claim, or want legal help on an existing claim, an attorney with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you navigate these endeavors.
What a Hurricane Property Claim Lawyer from Our Firm in St. Petersburg Does for You
Liability laws and insurance regulations are complex. If you do not have a good working knowledge of them, you may not be able to fully protect your rights. A lawyer with our firm will go the extra mile to help you get the benefits you deserve with a plan that includes:
- A review of your policy
- How much your damages are worth
- Communication with the insurance adjuster of their contractual obligation
- Helping ensure your claim is on track
- Knowledge of the state statutes on rights of property owners
- An explanation of offers from the insurance company before you sign
- Responsive legal care, including receiving your lawyer’s number and having your questions answered promptly
Include Proof of Damage or Loss with Your Hurricane Property Claim
Depending on the severity of the storm, it could be several days or weeks before the insurance company can send a claims adjuster. You need to have proof of your damaged or destroyed property ready. Be sure to include the following with your claim:
- Take photos and/or videos that show the detail and scope of the damage.
- If you have interior damage from an opening in your walls or roof, take a written and/or photographic inventory.
- Include known model or serial numbers of damaged or defective property.
We recommend including a date and time stamp in your pictures or video. Hurricane windstorm coverage is only valid on damages and losses that happen from the time an official hurricane watch or warning is issued until 72 hours after the watch or warning expires.
Our St. Petersburg Team Can Help You Throughout the Claims Process
Your insurance company must give you a reason your hurricane property claim is denied. Our lawyer serving St. Petersburg will review your policy and damages and work with the insurance adjuster to recover potential benefits.
Hurricane season may be only several months each year, but the damage from a major storm can affect your life for much longer. To learn more about how our team can help you, reach out to the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today. Your first consultation will be free of charge and obligation.