Florida Homeowners Insurance Claim Attorney

When your property is damaged by a storm, fire, wind or water and you file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company, you expect that the claim will be paid in full in a reasonable amount of time. If your insurance company fails to pay your claim in full, delays payment, or outright denies the claim, it makes recovering from your loss very difficult.

Homeowners who find themselves at odds with their insurance company often do not know what steps they should take nor whom to contact for help. If you have filed a homeowner’s insurance claim that has been delayed, denied or unpaid, the following information can help you navigate the steps involved in settling your claim satisfactorily.

What Should I Do If I’m Having Problems with my Homeowners Insurance Claim?

Many homeowners’ insurance claims are delayed, underpaid or outright denied for a variety of reasons, so if you’re encountering problems with your insurance claim, you’re not alone. To begin your pursuit of a fair settlement, you need to arm yourself with information about your policy and your rights as a Florida policyholder and seek legal help when you need it. Consider these guidelines:

• Review Your Policy and Your Claim. When communicating with insurance company representatives, knowledge is power, so before you contact your insurance company to question, complain, and dispute their decision or delay, thoroughly re-read your claim and your policy to bolster your understanding of the situation.
• Know Your Rights. According to the Florida Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights passed by the Florida Legislature, you have the right to receive full settlement for your claim, payment of the undisputed portion of your claim, or denial of your claim within 90 days of submitting a complete proof-of-loss statement. If you claim was denied, you should have received a notice from your insurer stating the reason(s) for the denial. If you did not receive this information, call your insurance agent and request it be sent to you.
• Read Explanations from Your Insurance Company Carefully. If you did receive an explanation from your insurance company, make sure the reasoning makes sense, given the parameters of your policy and the damage to your property. Did the adjuster omit or understate some of the damage your property sustained?  Did you neglect to submit thorough documentation of the damage?  Is your insurer claiming that the cause of the damage is not a covered cause? If the reason(s) for the denial is unclear, be sure to ask for an explanation and document all communications with insurance company representatives.
• Appeal Your Insurance Company’s Decision. Regardless of what your insurance company claims, you have a right to a clear explanation for a denial of payment, and you have the right to appeal their decision.
• Get Help from an Experienced Florida Insurance Claim Attorney. Attorneys who work with disputed and denied claims every day know the nuances and ambiguities of insurance policies as well as the strategies companies use to justify paying as little as possible in claims.  They can interpret policy language, look for ambiguities in your policy, navigate procedural barriers, negotiate on your behalf, and, if necessary, build a strong case for a winning lawsuit.

Do I Need a Florida Homeowners Insurance Claim Attorney?

You can consult with a Florida insurance claim attorney at any time during the claims process. However, if it seems as though your insurance company is hesitating to pay your claim in full or has denied your legitimate claim, it is definitely in your best interest to get advice from a Florida homeowners insurance claim attorney.

A Florida homeowners insurance claim attorney can thoroughly evaluate your policy to determine what coverage you are entitled to for your losses. He will then try to negotiate a settlement that compensates you for the full value of your claim. If an out-of-court settlement is not possible, he will represent you and your interests at trial.

Will I Need to File a Lawsuit?

Many homeowners are intimidated by the prospect of having to litigate a claim and, as a result, they accept less than what their claim is worth instead of contacting an attorney. Fortunately, most homeowner’s insurance claim disputes are settled with help from an attorney but without the need to file a lawsuit. However, if a lawsuit becomes necessary to ensure a fair settlement, it is in your best interest to have an experienced homeowners insurance claim attorney on your side.

How Much Will a Florida Homeowners Insurance Claim Attorney Cost?

You may be concerned about the cost of hiring an attorney when you have a dispute with your homeowners insurance company. The good news is that you will not be required to pay your attorney anything upfront. Instead, a Florida homeowners insurance claim attorney will only receive a fee after you receive a  satisfactory settlement or award at trial.

Where Can I Get Help with My Homeowners Insurance Claim?

If you have a Florida homeowners insurance claim and the insurance company is delaying payment or refusing to pay your claim in full, we can help. Call us at 407-500-1000 or submit our online form today. One of our experienced Florida homeowners insurance claims attorneys will review your case and discuss your legal options with you at no cost.