Sarasota is known for its beautiful beaches. Yet, its proximity to the water makes it a target for hurricanes and other storms. This is why many homes and businesses carry insurance, which offers protection against these events. Still, you may have problems once you file a claim.
If you’re having a hard time getting compensation from your insurance company after a storm, look no further for legal help. A Sarasota hurricane property damage lawyer from GED lawyers can seek what you need. You can explore your options now when you connect with our firm.
What You Can Expect From Your Property Damage Lawyer in Sarasota
You have many things on your mind right now, mainly, getting compensated for your property’s damage. When the insurance company doesn’t offer the settlement you need, we can:
Review Your Coverage Options
You may be unsure about what your insurance covers. We can go through the complicated legal jargon and explain your options. We may find that you have coverage for things you didn’t even know about.
File Your Claim
You can contact our property damage lawyers in Sarasota no matter where you are in the claims process. We can file your claim’s initial paperwork, making sure it remains free of errors. We can also abide by all insurance-mandated deadlines, so you don’t lose the right to hold the insurer accountable.
Negotiate a Settlement
The insurance company may think twice about offering what you need. When this happens, we can negotiate a fair offer. This may involve presenting more evidence, reviewing the liable policy, and protecting you from bad faith insurance practices.
GED Lawyers offers comprehensive legal help to hurricane damage claimants in Sarasota. You can learn more about your options today when you call our firm.
You Can Connect With Our Property Damage Lawyers at Any Time
You may consider partnering with our firm serving Sarasota if:
The Insurer Offers a Low Settlement
Many insurance claims come with deductibles. That means, before your coverage kicks in, you must pay a certain amount out of pocket first. Having a deductible is normal.
Still, that shouldn’t compel the insurance company to offer less than you need when your property sustains damage. We encourage you to call us if the insurer offers a low settlement. We could negotiate for a fair outcome.
The Insurer Employs Bad Faith Insurance Practices
You have protections under the Florida Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights. It notes that all insurance companies must process claims in good faith and treat claimants fairly. However, many insurers don’t take these regulations seriously. They may resort to bad faith insurance practices, which may include:
- Denying coverage that you obviously have
- Forcing you to give a recorded statement
- Undervaluing your losses
- Refusing to investigate your claim
- Delaying the claims process
Our lawyers can protect you from such tactics and seek what you need.
The Claims Process Takes Too Long
It can take a long time before you actually receive a settlement offer from your insurance company. However, if you feel that the process is taking an extraordinarily long time, our team can step in. We can determine whether the insurer’s acting in good faith and pursue what you need accordingly.
What to Do After Your Property Suffers Hurricane Damage in Sarasota
After a hurricane damages your property, there are a few steps that you can take to promote your claim’s success. Some of these measures include:
Recording All Damage to Your Property
As you assess the aftermath of a hurricane, it is important that you make a note of all damages that occurred because of the storm. This means documenting:
- Electronics that no longer work
- Water damage to your property’s walls or foundation
- Holes in the roof
- Waterlogged furniture
- Other damage to your property
It can be helpful to take pictures and videos during this time. We can use any information you give us to supplement your claim.
Call Your Insurance Company
To recover compensation, you can file a claim with your insurance company. Notifying the insurer right away protects your right to damages and connects your property’s damage to the hurricane.
Be sure to explain to the insurance company what happened and what items you are concerned about. During this time, you can also ask the insurer any questions about your policy and what it covers.
Review Your Insurance Policy
By reviewing your insurance policy, you can refresh your memory about what it covers. This can give you insight into whether the insurance company’s honoring your policy and acting in good faith.
Get a Second Opinion
Your insurance company will send out a representative to investigate the extent of your property’s damage. These investigators are biased, though. They want to save their employer money, so they may overlook some key elements of your property’s damage and offer less than you need.
You have every right to get a second opinion from a trained professional. Our team regularly partners with third-party investigators who evaluate our clients’ losses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hurricane Property Damage Claims
As you consider partnering with GED Lawyers, you may wonder:
What Does My Insurance Policy Cover?
We can’t explain what your insurance policy covers without reviewing it first. Generally, however, these policies offer compensation to replace or repair damaged property. Your policy could also offer coverage for temporary relocation costs and other expenses.
How Much Could I Get From the Insurance Company?
How much you could get from the insurance company depends on the liable policy and the extent of your property’s damage. Our lawyers in Sarasota aim to recover everything you need to rebuild your life.
Why Would the Insurance Company Deny My Claim?
There are countless reasons why the insurance company may deny your claim. It might claim that your coverage has lapsed. It may claim that you didn’t protect your property from the storm, so the insurer isn’t liable. If the insurer denies your claim, it must give a written reason why. That allows your lawyer to respond appropriately and fight for what you need.
Begin Your Case Review With GED Lawyers Today
For more information about partnering with our legal team, give us a call. Our lawyers in Sarasota want to do everything possible to recoup your losses. You don’t have to manage the claims process alone after a hurricane. With our team, you have legal options.