It is common for an individual not to know how to proceed after they have suffered property damage due to a weather event or another party’s negligence. While the situation can seem overwhelming, it is important that you take immediate steps to protect your rights because you have a limited amount of time in which you can submit a claim for your losses. A lawyer can help ensure that you navigate the process in a way that is best for you. To assist with better understanding your situation, we are providing the answers to the following frequently asked questions regarding such situations. Contact us today to speak with a Florida property damage attorney.
There are a number of questions that commonly arise after a property loss. Some of the more common concerns include:
- How does insurance apply to a property loss?
- What are my rights in a property damage case?
- How do I calculate my losses in a property damage case?
- What if the insurance company is denying liability?
We will answer each of these questions in turn.
How Does Insurance Apply To A Property Loss?
Property damage from a hurricane, some other weather event, or an act of negligence may be covered by insurance. Whether your insurance or the insurance of a third-party will cover your losses will depend on the facts of the situation. Depending on the nature of your insurance coverage, you may wish to submit the claim to your own policy as well. This is due to the fact that your insurance may provide additional coverage for any gap between your losses and what the other party’s insurance company is willing to pay. How insurance will apply in any given situation is highly fact-specific, and this is one reason why it may be important to discuss your situation with a lawyer as soon as possible.
What Are My Rights In A Property Damage Case?
When an insurance adjuster provides you with an estimate of your losses and a settlement offer, or even a rejection, you are not required to accept it. If the offer they make does not adequately address your losses, you may have grounds to file a suit.
It is important that you do not sign any settlement offers or estimates provided by an insurance adjuster if you do not agree with the dollar amount. Before signing any documentation or entering into any other agreements, it may behoove you to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
How Do I Calculate Damages In A Property Loss Case?
Your damages will include the cost of restoring your property to the condition it was in before the incident. This can be calculated by adjusters, estimators, contractors, or others qualified to estimate the amount of the loss. If the cost of repair is more than the value of the property, then it may be considered a “total loss.” It is important that you keep detailed records of the loss so that you can submit a documented claim to the insurance adjuster.
What If The Insurance Company Is Denying Liability?
If the insurance company is denying liability for a property loss, then you may have options. If a resolution cannot be reached, then you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties which may include your own insurance.
Contact A Florida Property Loss Attorney Today For Assistance
Contact our office today at 321-415-9012 to speak with one of our homeowners’ insurance attorneys if you would like to discuss the particulars of your situation. We present the material contained on our website and pages, including this Blog, for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute the rendering of legal advice and does not create any attorney-client relationship. If you need legal or other professional advice, you should consult with legal counsel about your particular facts and circumstances. Contact us to see how we may be able to fight for you!