Disaster strikes and you are left with considerable property damage. It is a situation that no Floridian wants to deal with, but at least you have insurance. Your losses are covered, right? Unfortunately, it is not always that easy.
In far too many cases, homeowners have a hard time recovering fair compensation for their property damage.
To increase your odds of getting an efficient, full-value settlement offer, you need to know how to navigate the complex property damage claims process. To get you started, our experienced Broward County property insurance lawyers have put together a list of five of our best claims tips.
- Take Immediate Action
First and foremost, you need to take quick action after any damaging event. Of course, this does not mean being reckless, as you certainly do not want to submit a sloppy claim. Do not feel rushed. Still, you will want to immediately get to work. Start by documenting your damages, reviewing your specific insurance policy, assessing your claims options and determining your responsibilities as a policyholder.
- Document Everything
If a dispute arises, you will want strong evidence that supports your claim. The more evidence you have, the better. Relevant evidence in a Florida property damage case will come in many different forms. Ideally, it will include photographs of your damages and of your property in its pre-loss conditions, extensive receipts and financial records, and even sworn testimony.
- Understand the Insurance Company’s Motives
Under Florida law, property insurance companies have a legal obligation to settle all valid claims with homeowners without any undue delay. Indeed, insurers are contractually mandated to pay you the full value for your losses. Yet, at the same time, insurance companies are for-profit businesses. They have no intention of paying you even one penny more than they owe; and, when possible, they will use well-crafted tactics and strategies to try to limit your recovery. The bottom line: be skeptical of insurance companies.
- Always Complain in Writing
When you do run into a problem during the claims process, do not deal with it solely over the phone. Instead, please make sure that all of your complaints are in writing. In addition, whenever writing something, you should be sure that your complaint very clearly articulates: 1) The extent of your problem 2) What exactly you want and 3) Why you should get what you want.
- Be Ready to Seek Professional Help
If you sustained major property damage, do not settle your claim for any less than you are owed under your policy. If your insurance company is not cooperating, or if your claim was denied, be ready to seek professional assistance.
At Geyer Fuxa Tyler, our experienced Fort Lauderdale property insurance lawyers have extensive experience handling all types of claims. To request a free, no-risk review of your claim, please call our team today at (954) 990-5251. We handle claims throughout Broward County, Florida, including in Hollywood and Pembroke Pines.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.7142.html
