Homeowners Insurance Claims Attorneys in Naples

No matter how hard we prepare, natural disasters or other events can still lead to sustaining severe and extensive property damage. Homeowners who have endured property damage should consider filing an insurance claim. Yet, despite investing a great deal of time and money into their homes, homeowners will often settle for a lesser amount of money than they deserve or that will place their home into its pre-loss condition.

Issues With Homeowners Insurance Policies 

Unfortunately, many insurance policies do not provide adequate coverage for damage sustained to a property. Occasionally, insurance companies will dispute the specific cause of the loss to trigger an exclusion, or even deny coverage altogether. Even when policies that do cover damages that occur during hurricanes or other events, some insurance companies occasionally wrongfully deny or underpay claims.

When you file a claim, there are a few steps that you should be prepared for:

• The insurer will initiate the claims process and will send an adjuster to survey the damage.
• The adjuster will analyze the scope of the damage and estimate the value of the damage. At this stage, make sure that you have complied with any instructions you receive from the adjuster (such as providing photographs showing the property before damage occurred or accommodating any additional site inspections by other evaluators).
• Obtain independent estimates and scope of repair. Be sure to properly vet any contractors. Remember, in Florida, persons performing roof work must be a licensed roofing contractor.

After going through these steps, the insurance company will usually offer a fair settlement price. When the insurance company does not, however, even experienced commercial property owners are tempted to accept inadequate offers because they want to get their companies back up and running as soon as possible. Do not let insurance companies leverage your frustration.

At Vernon Litigation Group, we strive to counteract the tactics that insurance carriers use, which include:

• Undervaluing property damage
• Utilizing inaccurate depreciation values
• Claiming deterioration to avoid paying policy benefits on roof damage
• Delaying claim processing and adjustment

Schedule your initial consultation by filling out our online form or calling us directly at (239) 319-4434 today.

NFIP Policies 

For example, many Floridians hold policies through the National Flood Insurance Program, which can assist homeowners with flooding damage. NFIP policies are often required when a homeowner resides in a high-risk flood zone or has a mortgage on the property. Flood insurance will usually cover the actual cash value of the items damaged by floodwaters, but “actual cash value” is often a source of disagreement. Other homes with NFIP insurance may be able to obtain 80 to 100% of the cost to construct a new structure, without regard to depreciation in the home.

But, non-NFIP insurance oftentimes does not cover the more common types of hurricane, such as damage caused by burst pipes, backups in sewage or overflows, home business disruptions, costs of living when the homeowner is displaced. Learning about your policy’s terms after a disaster occurs can be extremely frustrating. But, when an insurer does have an obligation to pay a claim for a covered loss, but refuses to do so in bad faith, homeowners may consider contacting an attorney to assist.

At Vernon Litigation Group, we can help you with the claims handling process by preparing a sworn proof of loss, navigating through the intricate details of your policy, and, if necessary, initiating formal legal proceedings against your insurance company.

Call our office at (239) 319-4434 for detailed information on how we can resolve your issue.