Florida Homeowner Insurance Claim Lawyer

When disaster strikes, your insurance company is supposed to step in and help you put your life back together. But what happens if it denies your request for compensation or fails to respond to your claim in a timely manner?

In this frustrating situation, a Florida homeowner insurance claim lawyer can protect your interests and help you assert your rights. Here’s everything you need to know about working with a home insurance claim lawyer.

What Is a Homeowners Insurance Claim?

A homeowners insurance claim is a formal request for financial compensation a homeowner makes to their insurer when their property is damaged or destroyed. A well-prepared claim that includes all essential documents can help you make use of the benefits your homeowners insurance policy provides.

Common Types of Property Damage Claims

Florida homeowners often face significant property damage due to hurricanes and other severe weather events. Here are some common types of claims:

Hurricane Damage: Helps homeowners rebuild after storms that cause roof, structural, or water damage
Water Damage: May cover damage caused by plumbing failures, water intrusion, or floods
Fire and Smoke Damage: Provides funds for dealing with damage caused by residential fires
Theft or Vandalism: Claims to offset the cost of stolen or damaged property

Each type of claim requires different documentation. For example, if you file a water damage insurance claim in Florida, you’ll need to provide proof of how the damage occurred and the extent of your property losses.

Types of Damage Typically Covered Under Homeowners Insurance

The following are some of the types of compensable damage under Florida homeowners insurance claims:

Theft or vandalism for stolen or damaged property
Destruction from hurricanes and windstorms
Water damage (not related to flooding unless you have separate flood insurance)
Fire and smoke damage from residential fires

It’s important to note that just because you’re requesting compensation for damage covered in your policy doesn’t mean your homeowners insurance claim won’t be denied.

Your insurer could try to deny your claim by exploiting loopholes in your policy. They may also reject your claim simply because you forgot to include the required documentation or proof.

Even if your insurer does provide compensation, they may undervalue your claim. That means they won’t give you enough to adequately cover the damage your home has suffered or replace your lost property, even though you haven’t reached your policy limits.

A home insurance lawyer in Florida can help. Here’s a look at some of the many benefits of hiring an experienced attorney to file a claim under your homeowners insurance policy.

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Benefits of Hiring a Homeowners Insurance Claim Lawyer

You can’t rely on your insurance company to do what’s in your best interests. They’re trying to make a profit, which means they want to keep your payment as low as possible. To this end, they may deny claims and refuse to pay anything. The good news is that you have rights, and an experienced lawyer can help you exercise them.

Lawyers for home insurance claims can provide the following critical advantages:

Skill and Experience

Insurance companies know the law forward and backward. They understand what they’re legally obligated to do and what they can get away with when dealing with someone who doesn’t understand their rights. Attorneys for homeowners insurance claims know what it takes to push back against big insurance companies.

A skilled lawyer can interpret complex policy documents and identify bad-faith practices that violate Florida law. More importantly, they can hold insurers accountable for their actions or inaction and get you the compensation you deserve in a timely manner.

Insurance companies aren’t always looking for a fight, but even if your policy provider doesn’t act in bad faith, they may still drag their feet when it comes time to pay you. An attorney can expedite the process and make sure your insurer is complying with the time restrictions imposed by state law.

Objective Representation

It’s tough to be objective if your home suffers catastrophic damage. All of your time will be consumed by attempting to pick up the pieces of your life and get things back to normal. That very disorder can make it difficult to prepare claim documents, gather proof, and respond to insurance company requests for supporting information.

That said, you can’t simply trust insurance companies to be objective — they aren’t. Your insurer wants to pay you as little as they can get away with while still adhering to the law. Keeping claims down is how they make a profit.

An attorney for homeowners insurance claims can look at your situation objectively and help you decide what to do next. They’ll provide unbiased representation and focus on securing the best possible outcome for your case.

If you’re determined to take on the insurance companies, give yourself a fighting chance. Hire a reputable lawyer you can trust.

The Homeowners Insurance Claim Process

Before you can get paid for the damage to your home, you’ve got to go through the insurance claim process, which can be more complicated than you might expect. Here are the steps you’ll need to take:

Filing a Claim

Start by filing a claim under your insurance policy. Review your policy to confirm that the damage is covered, and document everything related to your claim. Take lots of photos and provide detailed descriptions of the damage. List any personal property that was damaged or destroyed, such as TVs, computers, or furniture.

Submit a claim to your insurance company using whatever channels they provide; most companies allow you to do this online. Make sure to include all relevant evidence to avoid delays. If you feel overwhelmed during this process, consider hiring an attorney for homeowners insurance claims to help gather what you need.

Insurance Company Investigation

The insurance company will send out an adjuster to inspect the damage. Don’t start fixing anything until they’ve had a chance to look at it.

The insurance adjuster will calculate the payment you’ll receive based on the severity of the damage and your policy terms. If you believe their assessment undervalues your claim, an underpaid home insurance claim lawyer can help you take appropriate action.

Let’s say your roof gets damaged during a hurricane and needs to be replaced. You get quotes from three local roofers, who provide estimates ranging from $10,000 to $12,000. However, the adjuster says your claim is only worth $6,000. This is a classic example of an undervalued claim.

Negotiation and Settlement

Once the insurance company notifies you of their estimate, you’ll need to compare their offer to the damage to your home. A home insurance claim lawyer can negotiate on your behalf in order to obtain a fair settlement. If negotiations fail, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit.

Tips for Homeowners

Here are some tips for filing a homeowners insurance claim in Florida:

Know Your Homeowners Insurance Policy

You should be familiar with the basics of your insurance policy, including what types of damage are covered, your deductible, and the applicable time limits. Pay close attention to what isn’t covered. For example, flood insurance isn’t part of most Florida insurance policies. Never assume that your policy covers something.

You should also review any exceptions or violations of your policy that could result in a claim denial or policy cancellation. For example, if you use your property as a short-term rental (e.g., Airbnb) and don’t disclose that information to your insurer, they could drop you.

Take Pictures and Inventory

Don’t wait until disaster wrecks your home to take inventory of your possessions. Make a detailed list of all valuable items, including:

Jewelry
Electronics
Furniture
Family heirlooms

Include pictures to go with your list, along with information like the date of purchase and how much you paid. While your insurance company will likely include a depreciation calculation when processing your claim, it’s important to provide them with an accurate starting point.

The more evidence you can provide to support your claim, the better your odds of receiving a fair settlement.

Dealing With Bad-Faith Insurance Claims

A Florida homeowner insurance claim lawyer can provide valuable assistance when your insurance company acts in bad faith. Some examples of bad-faith practices include:

Denying a claim without giving a good reason or explanation
Delaying payment
Failing to send out an adjuster
Limiting payouts in a way that violates your policy
Deliberately undervaluing your claim

A bad-faith insurance lawyer in Florida can collect evidence demonstrating how your insurer mistreated you. In doing so, they can hold the insurance company accountable and seek justice on your behalf.

Don’t try to gather evidence of bad-faith actions on your own — you don’t want to risk evidence getting lost. As soon as you realize your insurance company isn’t treating you fairly, seek qualified legal representation.

Choosing the Right Homeowners Insurance Claim Lawyer

Handling a homeowners insurance claim on your own can be overwhelming. The good news is you don’t have to. A Florida homeowner insurance claim lawyer can step in to negotiate with your insurer on your behalf.

When your home and future are on the line, you need a legal team that’s experienced in dealing with issues specific to the Sunshine State, such as providing hurricane damage insurance claim help.

The right property damage insurance lawyer in Florida will have a proven track record of success. Kennon Law is prepared to take the necessary steps to ensure that your insurer doesn’t step out of line.

If you’ve had a homeowners insurance claim denied or undervalued, or your insurance company is delaying payment, contact us to schedule a consultation with a skilled Florida homeowner insurance claim lawyer. We look forward to helping you seek justice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does an Insurance Company Have to Settle a Homeowners Claim in Florida?

Florida law requires insurance companies to acknowledge claims within 14 days and make a decision within 60 days of receiving the claim or any supporting documents they may have requested.

Can You Sue Your Homeowners Insurance Company in Florida?

Yes. You can sue your insurance company if it wrongfully denies or delays your claim. You can also sue an insurance provider if they underpay your claim.

Can You Negotiate a Home Insurance Claim?

Yes. You can negotiate your homeowners insurance claim to seek fair compensation based on the damage to your residence and personal property. However, it’s vital to seek the help of a homeowner insurance claim lawyer before you take on a major insurance company.

Can You Negotiate a Home Insurance Settlement?

Absolutely. You can negotiate your settlement after reviewing the insurer’s offer. An experienced underpaid home insurance claim lawyer can guide you through this process and aid you in pursuing the compensation you’re entitled to under your policy.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Negligence?

Homeowners insurance typically doesn’t cover negligence or intentional acts. However, your policy may cover certain types of accidents.

How to Negotiate a Homeowners Insurance Settlement?

Start by finding a reputable Florida home insurance dispute attorney to handle your claim. They’ll have the knowledge and resources needed to negotiate with the insurance company’s legal team. Your lawyer will also review your claim, help you gather evidence, and submit all required forms to obtain a fair recovery.

Can I Pocket Money From a Home Insurance Claim?

That depends. You can keep the remaining claim money after completing repairs if your insurer issues funds directly to you. However, you should check with your policy and lender to find out whether there are any restrictions.

How Do Florida Laws Protect Homeowners During the Claims Process?

Florida law sets time constraints that require your policy provider to respond to you in a timely manner. Your insurance company can’t endlessly delay claims — they must make a decision within a reasonable time frame, usually 60 days.

What Types of Property Damage Are Covered by Homeowners Insurance Policies in Florida?

Most policies cover damage from hurricanes, theft, vandalism, fire, and certain types of water intrusion. You should review your homeowners insurance policy to find out what your plan does and doesn’t cover. You may need special add-on coverage for floods, short-term rental damage, and other unique circumstances.

When Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Homeowners Insurance Claim in Florida?

You should make it a point to hire a lawyer for homeowner insurance claim disputes like denied or undervalued claims. A bad-faith insurance lawyer in Florida can also be of service when a company intentionally misinterprets or violates the terms of a homeowners insurance policy.

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