Did you suffer property damage in a fire in North Lauderdale, Florida? Unfortunately, the insurance company might resist paying what you need to rebuild. So, let a Florida property damage lawyer from our firm take care of everything to avoid unnecessary complications with your claims.
Our North Lauderdale fire damage claims lawyer understands the tactics insurers often use to underpay policyholders like you. We can protect you by communicating with the insurer on your behalf. We can even negotiate with them for a fair payout.
Filing Your Fire Damage Claim
Insurers often make the claim filing process as complicated as possible. They aim to confuse and deter policyholders from pursuing the full extent of the compensation they deserve after a devastating event, such as a fire.
Fortunately, if you live in North Lauderdale, our fire damage claims lawyer can assist you with your case. If you have not filed your claim yet, we can do the following:
- Review your insurance policy: You will want to ensure you understand your policy before trying to get money based on it.
- Fill out and file your claim: The insurer will want to see the correct paperwork filed before the deadline. Let us handle this step so you avoid sending the wrong form or providing incomplete answers.
- Collect evidence that proves your claim’s validity: For example, we can review any photos or bills you have accumulated that show the extent of the damage and how that damage happened.
- Calculate how much compensation you deserve: We’ll investigate how much damage the fire did and how much it will cost to repair or replace everything covered by your policy. This investigation will determine the value of your claim and how much the insurer should pay.
Fighting an Initial Denial of Your Fire Damage Claim
If the insurer has already rejected your claim, we can help you by:
- Establishing why the insurer denied the claim: Does it have a legitimate reason (e.g., you did not submit sufficient evidence for the adjuster’s consideration)? Or was the decision motivated by trying to save money?
- Working with the insurer to correct any errors on your initial application: For instance, if you used the wrong form, we could point you toward the correct one. We can also help you word your answers in a way that might persuade the insurer to pay out.
- Negotiating with the insurer for a fair payment: We are unafraid to sit down face to face with the insurer’s representatives, confront them about unfair evaluations, and ensure our clients get precisely the amount they need.
You cannot expect the insurance adjuster to help you or make things easier. Their job is to save the insurer money by any means necessary. By contrast, our job is to protect you as best we can while you focus on repairing your property and recovering emotionally from the fire.
You Have Rights As an Insurance Policyholder
Florida Statutes § 627.7142, also known as the Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights, lists what insurers can and cannot do for their policyholders. For instance, when you file a claim, you have the right to the following:
- Expect a timely response to communications with the insurer.
- Get free assistance with your claim through mediation or a toll-free helpline.
- Request certain documentation and materials from the insurer.
If an insurer fails to provide these or any other items listed in the Bill of Rights, they have violated state law. However, besides the items listed in the Bill of Rights, the insurance company may try to undermine your claim by:
- Claiming another event not covered by your fire insurance policy caused the damage.
- Accusing you of exaggerating the damage or the cost of the damage done.
- Making disingenuous claims about your case, such as stating you did not submit enough evidence for an adjuster to make a fair evaluation.
- Taking advantage of your lack of knowledge of insurance law to push you into accepting a payout that does not cover the full extent of your losses.
- Asking you to make a recorded statement about the fire. Then, the adjuster will review your account, searching for something they can use to deny your claim.
Our legal team does not want to see anyone deprived of the money they deserve. So, don’t try to communicate with an insurance company that does not have your interests at heart. Instead, you can contact Ged Lawyers and gain an ally who can inform you of your rights.
Getting Reimbursed for Fire Damage
Different insurers offer various policies regarding fire damage. For this reason, Ged Lawyers will review your policy with you before filing a claim. Depending on your policy terms, you can get money for the following:
- Damage caused by smoke or burns.
- Damage to your home or the main building on the affected property.
- Damage to outbuildings, such as sheds.
- Damage to the contents of your home, including furniture and other possessions.
The cause of the fire can also make a difference in whether you recover compensation. For instance, some policies cover damage from “acts of God,” like a lightning strike. Others include coverage for equipment failures, like a fallen power line or a kitchen fire.
North Lauderdale fires can happen for many reasons, and they can cause damage of all types to your home, property, and even yourself and your family. Our fire damage claims attorney wants to help you sort through the confusing legal jargon and get the money you need to start over.
Let Us Handle Your Fire Damage Claim
After a fire, the last thing you want to do is wrestle with an insurance company and try to force them to provide the payment you know you deserve. Instead, contact us today to find out how our North Lauderdale fire damage claims lawyer can help you. Ged Lawyers fights tirelessly for every—all for no upfront fees.