Homeowners pay insurance premiums with the expectation that their insurance company will act in good faith, perform under the duties of their contract, and pay for the cost of repairs once property has been damaged. However, this is not always the case. Insurance companies are in business to profit and often minimize the estimated amount required to repair the damage. Insurance companies may deny that the damage is a result of any of the factors listed in the insurance policy.
When insurance companies deny claims, homeowners can be left in a financial bind.
Be it after a hurricane, storm, or any other catastrophic event, you may need financial support to repair the damages to your home. If your insurance company has denied, undervalued or delayed your claim, contact us today for a case evaluation.
Our attorneys are dedicated to helping you recover. Under Florida law you have a limited amount of time before the statute of limitations expires on your ability to file a property damage claim. Do not delay filing a claim. Our property damage attorneys will analyze your insurance policy, obtain expert estimates and submit your claim to the insurance company. The insurance company employs a team of lawyers whose job it is to undervalue your claim. You should have a lawyer on your side as well.
The insurance claim process begins with you submitting your insurance policy to our attorneys for review. Insurance policies are full of legalese that may be confusing and difficult to understand. We use our knowledge of contract law to decipher and translate important terms applicable to your insurance policy. We will analyze your insurance policy and engage in a fact-finding process to determine what happened. We work with you to gather documentation and background information to prepare your claim. It is important to document all of the damage with pictures, videos and notes. Do not discard any damaged materials, they will be needed in order to demonstrate your need to the insurance company.
The next step in the process is to assess the damage. We will have an expert examine your property and make a recommendation for repair costs. Our experts will spend all the time it takes to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of your property is made in order to prepare an accurate estimate of the amount necessary to repair the damage. The expert’s report will form the basis for your claim and is used to get you the settlement you deserve.
After assessing the damages, we prepare and submit a demand package to your insurance company. We will demand payment for the amount that you are entitled to under your contract. Having an experienced attorney perform this step for you can be helpful in decreasing the amount of pushback you will receive from the insurance company. Do not let the insurance company take advantage of you because you are legally unrepresented. Allow us to handle the communication with the insurance company’s adjusters and attorneys. Be aware that insurance adjusters and attorneys are skilled at getting you to make certain admissions that will be used to deny or undervalue your claim. A skilled attorney can communicate with the insurance company for you, while protecting your rights under the insurance policy. Do not say anything that will undervalue the outcome of your case.
We keep you informed on the progress of settlement negotiations for your claim. Our attorneys are experienced negotiators with a proven record for forcing insurance companies to pay what is owed. We make sure that you stay in compliance with the terms of your insurance contract to protect the value of your claim. Allow us to lead you through every aspect of this phase to legally protect the integrity of your claim. Our goal is to get you the settlement you deserve. Do not accept low ball offers to settle your claim.
If filing a lawsuit is necessary, we will do so! We will evaluate your case for litigation and fight for fair compensation. Our attorneys have the experience needed and are prepared to take your insurance company to court. Here at Itasca Legal, we believe that your claim is more likely to settle when the insurance company knows from the start that our attorneys are on your side and are capable of protecting you in court, no matter what.
Some examples of when you may need to file a claim for property damage or property loss
Water Damage is one of the most popular types of property damage claims filed in Florida. Document the damage with pictures and keep good records. Water damage can result from plumbing issues, burst pipes, or leaky pipes. If your home was built before 1975, you may have cast iron pipes. Cast iron pipes corrode over time and leads to leaking.
Damaged flooring, broken windows, structural damage, mold, roof damage- roof lifting, shingles damaged, damage to siding, interior damage, destruction of furniture, appliance damage, fires from downed wires, damages to vehicles, damage to outdoor fixtures.
Damaged flooring, broken windows, structural damage, mold, roof damage- roof lifting, shingles damaged, damage to siding, interior damage, destruction of furniture, appliance damage, fires from downed wires, damages to vehicles, damage to outdoor fixtures.
damage from hurricanes, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, lifted or damaged shingles, lifted roof. Roof damage claims may be limited by your insurance policy. This may lead to disputes over roof damage claims. Insurance companies may look for reasons to deny your claim, such as:
Damage to your home’s structure, siding, roof, trees and landscaping. Your insurance policy will define the amount of coverage for wind and windstorm damage.
Damage to your home’s structure, siding, roof, trees and landscaping. Your insurance policy will define the amount of coverage for wind and windstorm damage.
Flood damage is not covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy. Flood damage insurance is administered by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). If you have a flood damage insurance policy, you must submit your claim with your insurance agent.
1330 NW 6th Street Suite D, Gainesville, Florida 32601
