Property Damage Attorney in Miami

Types of Property Damage

Florida is prone to severe storms that can cause billions of dollars in damage. When Hurricane Andrew struck in 1992, it destroyed over 25,000 homes and damaged an additional 100,000 buildings, causing an estimated $25 billion in costs. When unpredictable weather finds its way onto land, both commercial and private real estate is especially prone to destruction. Harsh weather can create several different types of property damage. Some sources of this damage might include: 

Strong winds Tidal flooding Hurricane damage Tornadoes Mold Hail damage Flood Damage

Many times, a homeowner’s insurance policy would compensate for damages caused by severe weather. However, it is not uncommon to find an insurance company that refuses to reimburse a homeowner, either by claiming that the cause of the damage was not protected under the policy, or the amount of reimbursement is inadequate to make the homeowner whole again. A Miami property claim lawyer has the expertise needed to work with an insurance carrier to ensure that compensation is fair and adequate.

A property damage attorney can also handle all types of claims such as:

Wind Claims Thunderstorms and Storm Claims Hurricane damage Tornadoes Mold Hail damage Fire damage Pipe Claims Cast Iron Claims Theft Claims Vandalism Loss of Business Income Roof Claims Water Damage Flood Damage

Dealing with Insurance Companies in Miami

After your property is damaged, it is important to let the proper insurance carrier know of the damage. When the damage occurred to your own home, a claim would be filed with your own insurance carrier, and if the damage was done while on the property of someone else, you would need to contact the property owner’s insurance carrier to file a claim. 

Insurance claims for property damage would begin with a phone call to the insurance carrier. The insurance carrier would require:

The date the property damage occurred The extent of the property damage Any witnesses to the damage

After the initial phone call, a claim number is typically given and an insurance adjuster schedules a time to see the property. Not all insurance carriers require the property owner to be present during the inspection, however when there is damage inside the property, or it is difficult to determine the extent of the damage, it is always a good idea to be present when the property is being inspected.

After an initial inspection of the property, the insurance company will decide to either pay for the damage that occurred or deny liability for the damages. An insurance company will typically deny coverage on the basis that the damage was caused by a condition not covered under the policy. It is essential that when speaking with the insurance company, or personal property damage lawyer, that you have a complete copy of your insurance policy.

Even in cases when an insurance carrier is willing to accept liability for property damage, there will usually be a disagreement on the value of the assessed damage. It is always recommended to have a local contractor or expert provide an estimated cost of repair after the damage has occurred so a comparison can be made with the insurance carrier’s estimate. Even if both estimates are close, a Miami property damage attorney has the experience needed to help ensure that the insurance company uses recognized techniques for value assessment.

Most importantly, a property damage lawyer can provide the necessary expertise and experts to help you through the process and help you get your damage estimated for free. The last thing you want to worry about after a loss is how you are going to pay for your estimate, general contractor or lawyer. A typical fee arrangement with a property damage lawyer such as Schlacter Law is a contingency fee arrangement. Unlike public adjusters and contractors, attorneys can get their fees paid by the insurance companies if they win. That way, the attorney gets paid separately and it does not cut into your benefits.

By Brett Schlacter