Storm Damage Claims
There is nothing worse than the aftermath of a storm in Florida that has come at full force. The devastation caused by a storm that has destroyed houses and properties can be life-altering. With hurricane Michael alone, there have been over 131,00 claims by Floridians worth almost $4.3 billion in insurance losses. This deadly hurricane that hit in early October and took 60 lives continues to haunt the hard-working people of Florida today.
Although there is not much a person can do to prevent a Hurricane from hitting their home, there are steps they can take to ensure their house and family are covered if a catastrophic event occurs. One of the easiest things a person can do is ensure they have the best possible insurance coverage as soon as they own a property and file a necessary claim as soon as they are able to after a storm. There should be no reason for an insurance company to deny a legitimate claim and they should not hassle anyone through the process. Unfortunately, however, often times insurance companies do not treat their insured’s fairly.
Storm Damage Claims Lawyer
If you or someone you know have had their property loss claim denied partially or fully by an insurance company, contact Abrams Justice Trial Attorneys to assist you in recovering what you deserve for the damage to your property. Ivan and Isabel Abrams are aggressive and experienced insurance claim lawyers who will work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure that the insurance company indemnifies you for your losses. If a lawsuit is necessary, Ivan and Isabel will not hesitate to seek legal redress if an insurance company is acting in bad faith.
If you live in Miami-Dade County including North Bay Village, Bal Harbour, Miami Springs, Sweetwater or any other surrounding area, Contact the trial lawyers at Abrams Justice at (305) 709-0880 or fill out an online form today to get the best possible outcome for your storm damage insurance claim.
Storm Damage Claims Information Center
Process for Filing a Claim after loss
The first steps in filing a claim for storm damage is to remember to try to collect as much information as you can before you talk to an insurance company. This means assessing the damage to the best of your knowledge and ability, and ensuring that you have checked every corner of the property to make sure nothing is missed. The next step is to locate the policy and call the insurance company to file a necessary and truthful claim and begin the process.
It is essential to document all of the damages by inspecting the home, and it is even more critical to take pictures of anything that will be part of the claim. The sooner a claim is filed, the better.
After these first few steps are taken, the insurance company usually takes over and assigns an insurance adjuster to a claim. This person will be the primary contact and will assist with any questions or concerns you may have. There will also be someone coming to the property to assess the damage themselves and determine what may have caused it.
After the assessment is done the insurance company usually takes a few weeks to inform you of their decision. This decision is not final and can be disputed if you feel like the insurance company is acting in bad faith or they just got something wrong in the claim process.
Reasons to Involve a Lawyer
The following conduct by an insurance company justifies a lawyer’s involvement:
Claim denial- If an insurance company denies a claim and the person feels like they have cause to fight this decision they should contact a lawyer
Low-ball estimates and offers– If a person who has a claim feels like their insurance company is trying to offer the lowest settlement possible, they should contact a lawyer.
False statements to the insured– If a person feels like the insurance company, they are dealing with has given them false statements regarding their coverage or a claim they should contact a lawyer.
Claim delay– The state of Florida has a law that mandates insurance companies to contact consumers in a reasonable time through each step of their claim. If they fail to meet this standard, then a person can contact a lawyer to help expedite the process of their claim.
Withholding payments– If an insurance company is withholding a payment due to a minor technicality or any other reason contacting a lawyer may be necessary.
Not wanting to involve a lawyer– If an insurance company tries to persuade a person with a claim not to involve a third party like a lawyer or public adjuster, that should be a red flag and they should contact an attorney immediately to learn their rights.
Miami-Dade County Resources for Storm Damage Claims
Office of Insurance Regulation– This link provides resources for Floridians who want to know about regulations, compliance and enforcements from the state government. You can find information on insurance rates, forms, and industry data to help you better understand insurance companies in Florida.
FEMA– This link provides information on the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the United States. You can contact FEMA during storms to track disaster areas and shelters provided by the government. You can also contact FEMA if you experienced property damage and you did not have any insurance for help.
Abrams Justice Trial Attorneys | Storm Damage Claims lawyer
If you or someone you know is dealing with storm damage from a hurricane or heavy rain that has caused a flood, fire, or wind damage contact Abrams Justice to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
Don’t feel pressured by insurance companies to simply trust they everything they do or say is in your best interests. If you live in Miami-Dade County including, Miami Beach, North Miami, Miami, Hialeah, Pinecrest, Homestead, Palmetto Bay, Homestead, Doral, Coral Gables and Cutler Bay or any of the surrounding areas contact Abrams Justice at (305) 709-0880, and they will assist you in navigating the claims process and litigation, if necessary.