As hurricane season hits Florida residents, it is vital to prepare for the myriad of upcoming storms.
However, when they are as severe as Hurricanes Dorian, Lorenzo, and Humberto, property damage is nearly unavoidable.
Property owners expect that their insurance companies will meet the promises they made in their advertisements and policy contracts. If you receive a claim denial, it is vital that you reach out to a Florida hurricane damage claims lawyer for legal help.
Reasons Insurance Companies Deny Your Florida Hurricane Damage Claim
When an adjuster denies your property damage insurance claim, it can leave you and your family confused and frustrated. After experiencing such a situation, it is a wise move to look into your options since an initial denial is not necessarily the final outcome upon further investigation and negotiation discussions.
Common denials that insurance companies issue include:
- The damage was “pre-existing”
- Your policy does not cover the relevant damage
- You made a procedural error
- You allegedly did not provide adequate documentation
- You did not do enough to prevent harm
As you can see, some of these reasons are open to interpretation and discussion. You do not have to accept it as the final answer since there are other legal options available through dispute resolution, and as a final measure, a civil court lawsuit.
Options for Disputing Your Property Damage Claim Denial
Once you receive a denial, it begins to become abundantly clear that the insurance company is using what you do not know against you. After all, it is one of their negotiation techniques, if you can call it that.
In general, there are two ways that you can obtain benefits for your covered losses, including:
- Dispute resolution: If your insurer denies your claim, you should retain legal counsel. He or she will review its basis, consult with engineering and construction professionals, and then “dispute” the denial by providing expert opinions that contrast the insurer’s theory. For situations where it does not rescind the denial, the next step is to file a civil lawsuit.
- Civil court lawsuit: If the insurance company refuses to pay you the benefits that you lawfully deserve through dispute resolution, your hurricane damage claims lawyer will file a lawsuit on your behalf. Many cases settle before ever going to a jury trial. However, some companies are so unsavory that the situation requires serious legal intervention.
The route that your claim takes depends upon the facts, circumstances, and evidence available. Hiring a Florida hurricane damage claims lawyer will help you determine which legal options make the most sense for your situation.
Florida Laws Govern the Timeline of Your Claim
Keep in mind that you have up to three years to pursue a property damage claim under Florida’s statute of limitations. As such, you can still sue your insurance company as long as the hurricane damage occurred within this period.
While it seems like a significant amount of time, it is critical to pursue benefits sooner rather than later to avoid additional damage to your home or business. Plus, you forfeit your right to a claim once this deadline eclipses you.
Call Nutter Law Group for a Free Hurricane Damage Claim Evaluation
All hope is not lost when obtaining adequate compensation for your hurricane damage claim. A Florida hurricane damage claim lawyer on our team will represent your rights and interest throughout the entire process.
Call NUTTER LAW GROUP now for a FREE CLAIM EVALUATION at (813) 575-4442.