When you pay your home policy insurance premiums, you expect your insurance carrier to step up and protect your financial interests when your home is damaged or destroyed by a covered peril. After all, a homeowner’s insurance policy is meant to help repair or replace your belongings and home if they are damaged by specific perils such as theft, fire, hurricanes, storms, etc.
Sadly, it is not until your home is destroyed or your belongings are devastated that you learn that insurance companies only look out for themselves. They may delay, underpay your claim, or refuse to pay anything.
Are you staring down substantial bills for repairs, are without a place to stay after a disaster, and are concerned about the outcome of your homeowner’s insurance claim? If so, please speak with the seasoned Fort Lauderdale homeowners insurance lawyers of Klotzman Property Damage Law.
At Klotzman Property Damage Law, we focus on helping policyholders who have suffered damages to their property. We fight for homeowners whose insurance carriers refuse to pay, use “delay” or “stall” tactics, or refuse to resolve their claims adequately. Our Fort Lauderdale property damage lawyers have helped countless clients get the insurance payouts they deserve.
Contact us today at 954-915-7405 to learn more about your rights and schedule a free case review with our homeowner’s insurance claim attorneys in Fort Lauderdale.
What Are Common Issues With Homeowners’ Claims?
Since you carry homeowners insurance, you expect that if your home and belongings are damaged or destroyed after a covered peril, your insurance will kick in and cover the costs.
Unfortunately, while some insurance claims get approved, most claims are denied, even if they are valid. Insurance companies are all about making a profit. It’s in their best interest to minimize payouts or avoid paying altogether.
Here are some reasons and tactics that insurers might use to deny or underpay your claim following significant property damage.
Claiming Damage Is Not Covered
Insurers will often try to blame damage to your home on factors beyond the scope of your policy or claim that damage to your home falls under an exception in your policy. For example, your insurance carrier may try to claim that hurricane water damage to your home falls under flood damage, even if the damage occurred due to a leaky roof caused by rainstorm damage during a hurricane.
Unreasonable Delay Tactics
The longer a homeowner has to wait for their insurance company to pay out following a covered peril, the longer it takes for them to repair the damage to their homes or get back in their houses. Your insurance carrier is required to provide a prompt payout without unnecessary delays.
The Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights requires that insurance companies in Florida respond to claims in a timely manner.
- Policyholders have the right to receive an acknowledgment of the claim within 14 days of communicating the claim to insurance.
- Upon written request, the insurance company should provide a statement that the claim is covered in full, partially covered, denied, or under investigation within 30 days after you submitted a proof of loss statement.
Denial of Late Claims
Your claim may be denied if you wait too long to file a claim. Always file your claim promptly to increase your chances of recovering an acceptable settlement.
Inadequate Investigation into Damages
It’s not uncommon for insurance adjusters to conduct inadequate investigations and underpay your claim. Homeowners need to document any and all damage and loss resulting from a disaster. Providing adjusters with as much information as possible is crucial.
Failure to Pay Premiums
Missing payments or non-payment of your homeowner’s insurance premiums can lead to a lapse in your policy. Consequently, a lapse in your policy can lead to claim denial.
False Statements
Always be honest about the loss and damages to your home and report accurate information when filing a homeowners insurance claim. Providing false statements can lead to your claim being denied.
Failure to Protect Your Home From Further Damage
Not securing your home after a covered peril may make your insurance company deny your claim. For example, if your home sustains water damage after a storm and you do nothing to stop the water from causing further damage, you could be at risk of losing out on your homeowner’s insurance claim.
Suppose you’re facing any of the above issues with your homeowner’s insurance claim. An experienced Fort Lauderdale property damage attorney can help by reviewing your policy, conducting home inspections and audits, and gathering other evidence to resolve your insurance claim dispute.
What Is the Homeowner’s Claims Process Like?
Filing your homeowner’s insurance claim can be an overwhelming process. Knowing your rights, understanding the claims process, and having effective representation when filing your claim is critical.
Remember, insurance companies are aware that many homeowners are unfamiliar with filing a homeowners insurance claim. Insurers will use this to their advantage to delay, underpay, and even deny valid claims.
Klotzamn Property Damage Law, our Fort Lauderdale homeowners insurance lawyers are here to help you navigate the claims process and recover every penny that you deserve. Contact us for the legal guidance and support you need.
Here are the steps in the homeowner’s insurance claim process.
- Document all the damage to your home.
- Do not discard damaged items until your property is inspected.
- Save all receipts – from repair supplies, hotel stays, and other costs incurred as a result of the damage to your home.
- Contact your insurance company.
- Promptly fill out the claim forms you receive from your insurance company.
- Confirm whether the insurance adjuster sent to your home is an independent adjuster or a company employee.
Filing your homeowner’s insurance claim is a significant ordeal. Understanding the jargon used in your policy and dealing with insurance adjusters can be overwhelming for many.
Klotzman Property Damage Law is a law firm that cares. We help you get the settlement that meets your needs to repair and replace the things that are important to you, so you don’t have to worry. Allow us to file your claim on your behalf, decode your policy, and ensure your life is restored.
Contact our Fort Lauderdale homeowners insurance claim lawyers for a free consultation.
Bad Faith Homeowner’s Claims
Inherent in a homeowners insurance contract between the homeowner and the insurance company is an inferred obligation to act in good faith. The relationship between an insurer and a policyholder requires that each engage in good faith and trust in upholding the obligations outlined under the contract.
Bad faith on the part of homeowner’s insurance companies constitutes withholding, delaying, or denying a policyholder’s benefits based on valid claims filed under legitimate insurance policies.
Examples of insurers’ bad faith include:
- Offering less money than a homeowners claim is worth
- Failing to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation
- Refusing to pay a legitimate claim
- Misrepresenting policy language or the law
- Delaying payment of a legitimate claim
- Making threatening statements
- Refusing reasonable requests for documentation
- Denying a homeowner’s claim without giving a reason
Owners of a home policy in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Florida have a right to sue an insurance company that acts in bad faith. If you believe you have a bad faith claim against your homeowner’s insurance company, please talk to our Fort Lauderdale homeowners insurance claim attorneys for a free private consultation.
What Defense Do I Have Against My Insurance Company?
Property owners who have filed a claim for homeowners insurance in Florida and believe they have received a lowball payout or have had their claims denied are still given options. The following tips can help you protect your rights throughout the homeowner’s insurance claim process.
- Read your policy carefully.
- Do not cash premium refund checks.
- Be extra careful when filling out forms.
- Document everything with photos and videos.
- Hire a Fort Lauderdale homeowners insurance lawyer if your insurance is trying to take advantage of you.
How Much Does a Fort Lauderdale Homeowners Insurance Claim Attorney Cost?
Hiring skilled and dedicated Fort Lauderdale homeowners insurance attorneys at Klotzman Property Damage Law is FREE!
Florida law provides that when insurance companies settle a claim of litigation, such as an insurance company bad faith claim, the insurance company must pay the homeowner’s attorney costs and fees. So, when you hire our legal team for your homeowner’s insurance claim in Florida, you do not pay a penny out-of-pocket.
Your insurance company will pay us if you win a settlement or a judgment at trial. If we don’t win, you don’t pay us!
How Can Klotzam Property Damage Law Help With My Homeowner’s Claim?
Taking on insurance companies with armies of attorneys, adjusters, and engineers all working in the insurer’s best interest while dealing with property damage and the trauma of experiencing a fire, storm, hurricane, or other unexpected disasters can be overwhelming. Not to mention that you may be left with a lowball settlement.
Having an experienced Fort Lauderdale homeowners insurance lawyer on your side can not only help you navigate the situation, but you can also rely on their expertise and experience to get the most out of your claim. The attorneys at Klotzman Property Damage Law build you the strongest case possible and handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on rebuilding.
We help with:
- Damage assessment
- Homeowners’ insurance claim negotiations
- Appealing an unfair claim denial
- Bad faith homeowners insurance litigation
Get a free case review and consultation today!
Call Our Fort Lauderdale Homeowners Insurance Lawyers Today!
Property damage can be devastating and often leaves you feeling overwhelmed. The damage from floods, storms, hurricanes, vandalism, and theft can significantly affect a homeowner’s finances and mental state.
If you are lucky, the damage is minimal, and your homeowner’s insurance claim is resolved quickly and without issue. When your insurance carrier violates your rights and limits or denies your payout, it’s time to contact our Fort Lauderdale homeowners insurance claim attorneys at Klotzman Property Damage Law.
For years, our property damage legal team has provided effective and forthright representation for clients in Fort Lauderdale facing homeowners insurance claims, including floods, hurricanes, fire, vandalism, and theft. We credit our success to our attorneys’ collective experience, skills, and commitment.
Contact us today at 954-915-7405 for a free consultation.
