Property damage often also means family‘s lives have been affected by inclement weather, vandalism, or other events. After everything you have been through, you should be able to file a claim with the insurance company and obtain the benefits or compensation you need to cover these expenses.
Sadly, insurance companies often attempt to take advantage of claimants when they need money the most. If your insurance company is giving you the runaround, reach out to a Middleton personal injury lawyer at GED Lawyers to discuss your legal options. Schedule your free consultation today and learn more about how to bring the insurance company to justice.
Common Types of Coverage Included in Policies for Damaged Property
If you have never had to file a property damage claim before, you may be unsure exactly what types of property damages are going to be covered. However, just because your insurance policy says that you have coverage does not mean the insurance company will pay out on your claim without fighting.
You can expect the insurance company to argue that your policy contains exclusions that could limit the amount of compensation you could be awarded. Some of the more common types of coverage included in traditional homeowners’, general liability, or casualty insurance include
- Explosions, residential or wildfire damage
- Damaged caused by motor vehicles or aircraft
- Storm damage, including wind or hail damage
- Property damage caused by a riot
- Vandalism, theft, or burglary
- Damage caused by smoke
- Property damage caused by sleet, snow, or ice
- Damage caused by fallen trees
Types of Property Damages Insurance May Not Cover
Now that you have a better idea of what should be covered by a property damage insurance policy, it is a good idea to go over what insurance policies do not typically cover. In addition, it is important to know that in some instances, you may be able to purchase coverage for the specific items through an additional policy or insurance company.
Some of the types of damage that may not be included in your insurance policy include:
- Flood damage is offered through the federal emergency management agency and other private insurance companies
- Sewer backups caused by improper stormwater drainage, tree root blockages, and cracking
- Damage caused by earthquakes due to the rarity in our area
- Property damage caused by property owner negligence
If you are unsure whether your existing insurance policy covers your property damage, the best way to find out is by going over your policy details with your attorney and discussing your options.
How to Prepare to File a Claim for Property Damage
If you are hoping to file a property damage liability claim in Florida, you will need to be sure to notify your insurance company of the damage immediately.
Once it is safe to do so, you must take steps to protect your property from additional damage. Make sure to keep receipts for items purchased to secure your property, as you can request reimbursement for them as part of your property damage insurance claim.
Be sure to provide the insurance company with your inventory of property damaged due to the incident or event in question. It is important to know that if you file a property damage claim due to vandalism or theft, you will also be required to file a police report. A copy of this police report should be included with your insurance claim.
Your attorney will advise you on what to do with the items, property, or assets that have been damaged. In some cases, you may be able to throw them away after your insurance company says it is safe. However, in other cases, you may be able to hold onto them and restore or repair the items.
Reasons Your Property Damage Claim Might Get Denied
Although you may be counting on your insurance company to compensate you fairly, it is far more common than you might think for insurance companies to deny claimants the benefits or compensation they deserve. Some of the more common reasons insurance companies go for claim denials include:
- Your insurance company argues you have exaggerated the extent of property damages
- You failed to make necessary premium payments
- Your insurance policy coverage lapsed
- Your insurance policy was canceled
- Failing to file your property damage liability claim with the insurance company before time ran out
- Your property damage occurred through an excluded event such as flooding, or another type of damage not covered by your insurance policy.
- Failing to take action to protect your property from additional damage, including roof damage, windstorm damage, structural damage, and more
If your property damage claim has been denied, in many cases, your attorney may be able to work with the insurance company to get your denial overturned. Generally, by providing the insurance company with more information to support your case, they are willing to reverse your denial as opposed to being taken to court.
We might need to provide the insurance company with receipts, photos of property damages, a video of the incident, and a detailed list of the damages you are hoping to obtain compensation for and their value if we hope to get your claim approved.
If the insurance company continues to deny your claim in bad faith or delay the processing of your claim, we will have no choice but to hold the insurance company accountable by filing a lawsuit against them. One way or another, our firm will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Middleton Property Damage Attorneys for Help Today
When you pay your insurance premiums, you expect the insurance company to uphold their financial obligations when you need them the most. If the insurance company is delaying or denying you the compensation you deserve, reach out to a Middleton property damage lawyer at GED Lawyers for legal guidance and support.
Our firm is proud to offer no-cost, risk-free consultations to property damage victims across Middleton and nearby cities. Claim yours by filling out our quick contact form or calling our office.
