Homeowner’s insurance policies may cover trees struck by lightning under certain circumstances. For example, if the tree was rotted with wood decay or in poor condition before the lightning strike, your policy may not cover the tree or resulting losses. In situations where coverage is denied or unfairly limited, consulting a Fort Lauderdale insurance bad faith lawyer may help you understand whether the insurance company is handling the claim properly.
Insurance Companies Might Give You Trouble
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), a tree struck by lightning is typically covered under most homeowners insurance policies. The damage caused by the tree, as well as the contents of any structure that was damaged, are also generally covered.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that often try to pay as little as possible—or nothing at all—when it comes to claims. If lightning struck a tree, resulting in serious covered losses to your property and your insurance company is not honoring your policy, we can help. At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we aggressively hold insurance companies responsible for the coverage they promised and for which you paid.
Lightning as an Act of Peril
A lightning strike that causes covered losses to your property is often considered an “act of peril.” Trees are tall structures susceptible to lightning strikes. If this type of coverage is specifically stated in your policy and your insurance company is failing to honor its obligation, let our legal team help you.
We can help you recover the losses in a property damage claim for a lightning strike, including:
- The cost of repairing damaged property
- The cost of repairing structures on the property, such as a detached garage
- The cost to remove the tree, in some cases
- The cost to replace the tree, in some cases
If your vehicles were damaged by the downed tree, we can help you seek a settlement from your auto insurance policy to cover the cost of repairing or replacing it.
Extensive Covered Losses Caused by a Tree
When lightning strikes a tree, several things can happen at once. Not only may the tree fall and damage your property, but it may also result in flying debris. Tree limbs and branches, along with bark, can also cause serious covered losses when they become airborne.
Fighting Insurance Company Reluctance
You trust your insurance company to support you as a client and honor your policy when disaster strikes. An insurance company adjuster may visit your property and determine the tree was in poor condition, simply to avoid paying your claim.
Taking pictures of the damage as soon as possible is a smart idea. Do not move the tree until you have pictures and the insurance adjuster makes a visit. Never settle for the opinion from an insurance adjuster whose main goal is to deny your claim. An expert can help provide a second opinion as to the condition of the tree, while our legal team can provide the legal representation you need now.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine and Your Tree Damage Claim
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we aggressively take on insurance companies who try to wrongly deny or delay claims. You have enough stress without having to deal with constant phone calls regarding your policy.
An insurance company has a legal and contractual responsibility to honor homeowners’ policies. We believe in holding them accountable to the terms of your policy, including if your homeowner’s insurance covers trees struck by lightning.
How the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Can Help You
A Fort Lauderdale property claim lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can take on your case. When you hire us to handle your claim, we will:
- Build a case, proving your homeowner’s insurance should cover the downed tree
- File a claim with your insurance company
- Negotiate for a settlement to cover your losses
- Appeal a denial by the insurance company
- File a lawsuit against the insurance company for unfair practices
- Argue for your case in court
We Can Take Your Case Today
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no fee unless we collect compensation for you.
If you experienced covered losses due to a tree struck by lightning, and your insurance company is refusing to honor your policy, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine now for a free case evaluation.
