When you take out your homeowner’s policy, there is often very fine print outlining what your responsibilities and duties are as a property owner. One specific duty that most people don’t know about is your duty to mitigate the damage.
When people experience damage to their homes, they typically assume that all they have to do is call their insurance company. They take a few pictures and make a list of the things that were damaged and destroyed. Then they sit back and wait for the insurance company to pay their claim.
They don’t realize that, if they don’t do something to prevent further damage, their claim can be denied. At a minimum, it will be underpaid. Our Miami property damage lawyers meet with clients every week who had no idea they were supposed to clean up as much of the damage as they can. Nor did they know that they had to take specific measures to prevent the damage from getting worse.
Here, we will explain how you can go about doing this. The last thing you want to do is sit back and do nothing, only to find out that your claim isn’t going to be paid. Not only will this be frustrating, but it will be an expensive mistake as well.
If you meet with one of our property damage attorneys in Miami, they can help you take the necessary steps to mitigate the damage to your home and personal property. If you have questions about your own homeowner’s claim, don’t hesitate to contact our office directly.
Cover Your Roof and Affected Areas With a Tarp to Prevent Further Damage
People who live in Florida are no strangers to terrific storms. Hurricanes seem to be very fond of the Sunshine State. Some homeowners are so used to getting hit hard by these storms that they evacuate their homes when they learn a storm is brewing. Others choose to hunker down, praying that the damage to their home will be minimal.
Unfortunately, many of these storms cause millions of dollars in damage. If your property is damaged or destroyed in a hurricane or tropical storm, you’re liable to suffer damage to your roof and overhangs. It’s important that you put tarps up on the roof and other affected areas. This is the best way to mitigate the damage to your roof and limit the extensive damage the leaks can wreak on your home.
Make Sure You Remove or Trim Back Any Fallen or Leaning Tree Branches
If a hurricane does strike, you will likely find yourself surrounded by fallen trees and broken branches. Not only can these damage your home, but they can also cause extensive damage to your vehicles. If you expect your homeowner’s policy to cover your losses, you need to take measures to avoid further damage.
Clear out any debris or pieces of trees that are lying on your property. Once the storm has died down, cut back any loose, hanging branches. This way, the insurance company cannot claim that you did nothing to mitigate the damage to your real and personal property.
If they still give you a hard time, make sure you call one of our property damage attorneys in Miami. They will help you certify your mitigation efforts and appeal your claim with the insurance company.
Mitigate the Damage Effectively: Relocate Any Cars, Boats, or Outdoor Appliances
If you have already suffered extensive damage to your home, it’s important that you move any cars, boats, or other heavy, outdoor appliances. Anything that you feel has significant value should be relocated if possible. If the insurance adjuster feels that you could have avoided damage to these items, they may deny or undervalue your claim for failure to mitigate the damage.
Of course, if this happens to you, it’s in your best interest to call and speak with one of our Miami property damage lawyers. They will invite you into the office for your free, initial consultation. This way, you feel prepared for whatever response you receive from the insurance carrier.
Your Property Damage Attorney in Miami Can Help Find a Professional Cleanup Service
If the damage is beyond anything you can handle, you can always call a professional cleanup service. This may be your only option if the damage involves electrical wiring, power lines, or hazardous materials.
If you aren’t sure where to find a reputable company, your Miami property damage lawyer may be able to recommend someone. Your attorney will remind you to keep receipts for any money you pay to a professional cleanup service. You should be able to include these expenses in your homeowner’s claim.
If Your Claim is Still Denied, Contact One of Our Miami Property Damage Lawyers
It can be hard to look at the state of your home after a natural disaster. Whether the damage is due to a flood, storm, or other devastating act, it can be life-changing. Our Miami property damage lawyers understand how homeowners feel when it seems like they have lost everything. That’s why we help our clients file their claims with their homeowner’s insurance carrier.
If you’ve paid your premiums, then you deserve the protection the insurance company promised when you took out your policy. After you have suffered a tragedy of this magnitude, the last thing you should worry about is whether your claim will be paid because the insurer believes you didn’t mitigate the damage properly.
The good news is that our property damage attorneys in Miami have decades of combined experience handling cases just like yours. You can come into the office and sit down with a respected Miami property damage lawyer and have them review your claim. If your insurance carrier has already denied your claim, or you suspect they will, we can help. We will help you appeal your claim and, if need be, pursue legal action against the insurance company.
We do offer new clients a free, initial consultation. You should take advantage of this opportunity. When it seems like everybody else is letting you down, our team at Klotzman Property Damage Law will be there by your side until the matter is resolved.
