Each year, residential and commercial property owners in Florida pay insurance premiums for property insurance and expect insurance companies to pay for covered losses arising from damage to their property. While insurance coverage is typically determined by probability and risk, insurers often settle claims for less than their full value or deny claims outright. If your property insurance claim has been denied, the best way to protect your rights is to consult an experienced property insurance claims attorney.
The Law Office of William J. Roe is dedicated to fighting for the rights of homeowners and businesses throughout the state of Florida. If your insurance claim has been denied, you are likely angry and frustrated and may not know where to turn. When you become our client, we will take the time to thoroughly review your insurance policy and explore all of your options. Depending on the circumstances, we may be able to reach a negotiated settlement with your insurance company. If the insurer refuses to cover your losses, we may recommend filing a lawsuit. Above all, we will always put your best interests first and help to right this wrong.
Why Are Property Insurance Claims Denied?
Despite the fact that insurance policies are legally binding contracts, insurance companies deny claims for a number of reasons, including:
- Insufficient information — As a homeowner or business owner, it is your responsibility not only to file a claim expediently after property damage occurs but also to prove the claim. You must provide sufficient documentation (e.g. a complete inventory of valuables on or in your property, photographs of any and all damage, repair estimates, photographs); failing to do so will result in an insurance claim denial.
- Taking Too Long to File — Because insurance policies typically contain strict time requirements and require documenting damage, taking too long to file a claim will reduce your chances of being paid for your losses. Notify your insurer of any loss as soon as possible (even if in the middle of the night).
- Late Payments — Failing to make premium payments on time may result in a lapse of coverage since most insurance policies include provisions that exempt coverage for non-payment.
- Fraud — Unfortunately, insurance fraud is not uncommon, and insurance claims adjusters evaluate every claim looking for anything that may be questionable either in the initial insurance application or the claim. It is crucial to maintain your property before an event and mitigate any damage until the claim’s adjuster assesses the damage.
- Exclusions — Insurance policies rarely cover the entire premises, all contents, or every source of damage or loss; they typically exclude water/sewage backup and regional risks.
- Perils May Not Be Covered — Certain perils (e.g. fire, theft, lightning, and hail) may not be covered depending on the type and amount of coverage.
Contact Our Florida Insurance Claim Denial Attorney
If your property insurance claim has been denied, the Law Office of William J. Roe can help you dispute the property insurance claim. Our legal team will carefully review your homeowner’s or other insurance policy to determine what is included and excluded in your coverage. We will also help you compile all the necessary documentation to support your claim, such as an inventory of content, photographs, and repair estimates. Depending on the value of the claim, we may also work with an independent claim’s adjuster to support your claim.
Insurance companies are more likely to resolve a claim when a policyholder is represented by an attorney. We will leverage our negotiating skills to make sure you receive the full value of your claim. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair and reasonable offer, we may recommend filing a lawsuit. When you work with our experienced property insurance attorneys, you can trust us to fight tirelessly for your rights. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help you obtain the coverage you deserve. Please contact our office today for a free evaluation of your case.