Usually, if you suffer a house fire, the insurance company will pay your claim. You can then use the insurance proceeds to fix your home. Unfortunately, there are times when the insurance adjuster chooses to deny your claim.
Your insurance policy will spell out the events that are covered by insurance. For example, fire damage is almost always covered unless the insurance adjuster finds that you set the fire intentionally. The rest of the time, they usually approve the claim and send your check out within a week or two.
If your claim happens to be denied, you need to reach out to an experienced Hollywood fire damage attorney right away. You will only have a certain amount of time to file your appeal. Your lawyer will need that time to conduct their own investigation and confirm the value of your claim.
What to Do Immediately After Your House Fire
In the moments after your house fire, you will feel frantic. It is nearly impossible to stand there, watching your house burn, without feeling that way. Once the fire department comes out and extinguishes the fire, they will begin their investigation. If they believe the fire is the result of arson, they will document this in their final report. This report will be available to the insurance company.
Once the fire is out, you may have to wait a few days before you can get back into your house. You will need to create an itemized list of the items that were destroyed. You will also need to make notes about the damage done to your dwelling and other structures.
Once this is done, you will need to file your insurance claim. We suggest that you talk to a Hollywood property damage attorney prior to filing your claim. If you want the best chance of having your claim paid, you may want to have your lawyer handle the claim for you.
When the insurance adjuster sees that you’re represented by a Hollywood property damage lawyer, they will take your claim more seriously. They will also be less likely to argue that you started the fire so you could collect the insurance proceeds.
The Insurance Company Has the Right to Deny a Claim for Fire Damage Due to Arson
One of the frustrating things about insurance companies is that they have the discretion to pay or deny your claim. If your fire was caused by arson, the insurance company may deny it outright. They may argue that you started the fire so you could collect the insurance proceeds.
There are a variety of reasons why they may think this. For example, if you had recently called your insurance agents asking questions about your coverage, it can raise a red flag.
The other thing the insurance adjuster will do is look to see if you have a history of filing insurance claims. If they see that you have collected insurance payouts for smaller fires in the past, they will become suspicious.
If they even suspect that the arson was your doing, they will deny your claim. They will then put the onus on your Hollywood property damage lawyer to demonstrate that you didn’t start the fire.
If Your Insurance Claim Is Denied, Reach Out to One of Our Hollywood Property Damage Attorneys
If your house is lost in a fire, it feels like it is the end of the world. Not only has your home been destroyed, but you have also lost everything inside the house as well. It is one of the scariest moments of your life. This is why it’s hard to fathom that the insurance company would deny your claim.
Knowing that most insurance companies approve fire damage claims makes you wonder why yours was denied. Your Hollywood property damage attorney will find out the reason why it was denied. If they learn that the insurance adjuster thinks you set the fire to collect the insurance proceeds, you’re going to be angry. It’s bad enough that you’ve lost everything. Now they want to insult your character too?
Our Hollywood property damage lawyers understand how you feel. We would feel the same way. However, you need to try to set your emotions aside and focus on the matter at hand. Here, we will discuss how your insurance carrier decides whether to pay your claim after a house fire.
We will also explain what your Hollywood property damage lawyer can do if your claim is denied. If you still have questions about your own insurance issues, contact our office right away. We can schedule a time for you to come into the office and meet with one of our Hollywood property damage attorneys.
What Can Your Hollywood Property Damage Attorney Do if Your Claim Is Denied?
If your claim is denied, you’re naturally going to be upset. Your Hollywood property damage attorney is going to need you focused enough to give them a list of items that were destroyed in the fire. They will appeal your claim. If it is still denied, they will demand to see specific evidence showing that you intentionally set the fire.
When the insurance company fails to do this, your Hollywood property damage attorney can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Financial Services. If you do file a complaint, one of two things will happen. The outside agency will conduct its own investigation of the claim. Or the insurance carrier will change their tune and pay your claim.
They will want to avoid the State coming in and doing their own independent investigation. That could uncover things that the insurance carrier really doesn’t want them to see. As long as your claim is paid, your Hollywood property damage lawyer won’t have to take the matter further.
