Property Damage
Insurance Lawyers
Types of Property Damage Claims Handled by our Property Damage Lawyers
Our property damage attorneys handle a wide range of insurance claims related to property damage. The most common types include storm and natural disaster damage, and fire and smoke damage. Each type of claim has its own complexities and requires a specialized approach to ensure the fair compensation you deserve. Recognizing the various property damage claims can help determine the best course of action and the necessary legal assistance.
Our Attorneys
We work for YOU
As your attorney we can advise you on what we think is the best course of action – but we work for you, so you are always in control. If the insurance company makes you a bad offer, we may advise you to fight more if we think you can achieve a better outcome, but the choice will always be yours. If you want to settle for a number that is lower than what we think we can achieve for you, we may advise differently but we will always do what you want. We are always in your corner, we will give you our advice, but the choice will always be yours. We are here to present every offer, help you make a counter-offer, or settle the claim, but you’ll always be in control.
Decades of experience. Billions of claims represented.
Our firm specializes exclusively in property damage insurance claims, backed by decades of experience helping property owners recover the full compensation they deserve. We know the strategies insurers use and fight relentlessly to secure the best outcomes for our clients.
Your Property Damage Lawyer
When your insurance company doesn’t do the right thing and step up to pay the obligations they owe after you’ve suffered property damage from a storm, hurricane, fire, flood, wind, hail or any other type of loss, that’s when we get involved. We handle your insurance claims from start to finish as your property damage lawyer and advocate every step of the way.
Our attorneys including co-counsel partners and associated counsel have handled tens of thousands of property damage insurance claim cases for billions of dollars against every major insurance carrier. We step in to get your rightfully owed insurance money, when the insurance company doesn’t do the right thing. We have proven strategies against insurance companies from over 15 years of experience and thousands of successful cases.
Established
We have the skills and resources to litigate cases throughout the country.
Reliable
We make ourselves available to clients 24 hours a day, 7 day a week.
Proven
We’ve represented over $1 billion in property insurance claims.
The Storm Law Difference
Speed
Within 24 hours, our property damage lawyers review your case details, insurance policy, and other information to strategize the best way to obtain your rightful insurance payment.
Experts
We pay for the best experts and contractors to come assess the damages, to maximize what you’re rightfully owed, at no up-front cost to you.
Results
We do whatever it takes to pursue the maximum amount you’re owed whether it’s through mediation or going to trial if we need to.
Why You Might Need a Property Damage Lawyer
Navigating the aftermath of a significant property loss can be a herculean task, especially when insurance companies are involved. Insurance companies often offer low settlements or deny valid claims, leaving property owners frustrated and financially strained.
In cases of significant home or commercial property damage, uncooperative insurance companies may make contacting a property damage lawyer at our firm very advantageous. We are adept at ensuring that claims are handled fairly and that property owners receive the compensation they deserve. Hiring a lawyer becomes especially important when repair costs are high. Especially when the insurance company may purposely be prolonging and complicating the process.
Insurance companies frequently propose low payouts, deny valid claims, or delay payments to wear down claimants into accepting lower offers, including an insurance company’s settlement offer. A good property damage lawyer can secure a fair settlement if your insurance claim is denied. Our firm understands the legal nuances and we are ready to challenge insurance companies acting in bad faith. With a skilled property loss specialist from our firm, you can focus on rebuilding your life while we handle your legal battles.
Storm and Natural Disaster Damage
Storms and natural disasters can cause extensive property damage, leading to complex and large-scale claims. Our property damage attorneys handle claims from various natural disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and windstorms. These events often result in significant structural damage, requiring substantial repair funds. Wind damage claims, in particular, are among the most frequently filed in property damage cases. Legal representation in such cases is essential as natural disasters like hurricanes or floods frequently lead to wind and water damage claims.
Fire and Smoke Damage
Fire and smoke damage account for an Astonishing 33% of all property claims. The average cost of fire and lightning losses is a staggering $78,838 per incident and insurance companies often blame the homeowner when dealing with fire claims, making it essential to have a knowledgeable lawyer.
Our Strategy
Vigorous Preparation
The first step includes a vigorous amount of preparation. We review your policy, the property damage, and any and all communications with the insurance company so our team can start digging in.
We want to see every e-mail exchange, any notes you’ve made, pictures you’ve taken, vendors you’ve spoken with, anything that can help us successfully fight for your case. Our team thoroughly reviews your insurance policy to review the types of loss covered, all exclusions, and any vague or ambiguous language that we can argue in your favor.
Has coverage been opened up? Are they denying your claim for a specific exclusion in the policy? Each policy is different and there’s certain rules that must be followed in the policies so our team goes over them with a fine tooth comb. We also make sure that all rules, deadlines, and other potential “gotcha” items in your policy are followed to give you the best possible chance of success.
We Hire the Best Experts
Next we send an expert licensed in your state, (different from a public adjuster you may have had before) directly to your property. These experts are third party companies that our firm pays to come to your property, they have a team of engineers and construction specialists trained on how to testify in court and write expert reports for these types of cases, not just on what is damaged, but the cost required to put your property back to pre-loss condition.
As soon as we get your expert reports, we send them directly to the insurance company to make sure we’re putting you in the best position possible to win your claim, quickly. We’re proactive in getting the insurance company all the information so they can do the right thing and pay you quickly. If not, we’ll be fully prepared to file a lawsuit, including potentially with a bad faith argument, knowing we gave them an opportunity to do the right thing and pay you correctly.
Mediation, Arbitration, or Litigation
Throughout this process we make sure all pre-lawsuit requirements are fulfilled so that if we need to file a lawsuit we can do it quickly without any delays. In our experience, most cases will settle successfully in mediation. It’s just a matter of getting it there and making sure that once it’s there, we’ve prepped and have given the insurance company enough exposure and liability that they bring the right amount of money to pay you out properly.
Mediation is a voluntary, non-binding process in which a neutral third-party mediator, usually paid by our firm, helps us negotiate and reach a mutually acceptable resolution with the insurance company. We are able to present our arguments, evidence (including our expert reports), and positions to the mediator, to achieve the best outcome for you.
Litigating and Winning Your Property Damage Case
Filing a Lawsuit and Litigating
Mediation and arbitration may eventually lead to litigation, and depending on who your insurance carrier is, we might have to file a lawsuit no matter what. We make every effort to work up your case before filing a lawsuit so that we can either go to mediation or go to appraisal or arbitration before filing a lawsuit, but some insurance carriers just refuse to pay unless a lawsuit is filed. In our experience, this is typical of a lot of the larger name brand insurance carriers. And if that is what is necessary, our firm is fully prepared to do so.
Pre-lawsuit Requirements
Depending on what state you’re in, we can’t file a lawsuit until some pre-suit requirements are fulfilled. Often times that’s sending a demand letter or filing a notice of intent. These pre-suit requirements must be filed in order to file a lawsuit against insurance carriers. So just depending on what your state laws are, it’s vital that your property damage lawyer is familiar with these requirements to put you in the best position to win.
The Property Damage Lawsuit Process
Once we get a lawsuit filed, if necessary in your case, then the discovery window opens. The discovery window is an informal time where the insurance company gets to ask you questions and we get to ask the insurance company questions. They’re both written, and they’ll potentially ask for your deposition – we might also ask for a deposition. That’s where we get to interview them more formally, face-to-face.
They’ll also ask us to produce documents related to your claim, so if you’ve done repairs they’ll ask for the receipts, if you’ve replaced a roof in the past 10 years, they might ask to see when you replaced it and how much it cost. They may ask you for previous insurance claims documents, so if you had filed a claim from a previous hurricane or a previous hail storm, they might ask to see those documents.
Pre-lawsuit Requirements
Depending on what state you’re in, we can’t file a lawsuit until some pre-suit requirements are fulfilled. Often times that’s sending a demand letter or filing a notice of intent. These pre-suit requirements must be filed in order to file a lawsuit against insurance carriers. So just depending on what your state laws are, it’s vital that your property damage lawyer is familiar with these requirements to put you in the best position to win.
Your Insurance Claim Payout
After we successfully win your case, it takes the insurance company about 30 days to process your payment. If there’s any encumbrances or lien holders, we have to go through that lien resolution process with the carrier. You’ll also have to sign a document called an immunity release with the insurance company, that states that in exchange for the cash, you agree not to sue them again for any of the damage sustained to your property prior to the date of you signing.
How SLP Can Help You
Property damage insurance attorneys can be vital for managing insurance claims and ensuring you get fair compensation. Our attorneys manage all communications with insurance companies to help protect you from manipulation and to provide claim status updates.
Our lawyers document and assess recoverable losses, and we negotiate with the insurance company for fair compensation. If negotiations fail, we gather evidence and prepare legal documents for court, fighting for fair settlements. Our skilled advocates can significantly impact the outcome of your claim.
Negotiating Fair
Settlements
One of the most critical roles of property damage attorneys is negotiating fair settlements. Our skilled lawyers can identify inadequate settlement offers and advocate for better terms for you. Experience and legal knowledge enables effective advocacy, ensuring you receive deserved compensation.
Preparing for
Litigation
If negotiations fail, our property damage lawyers are fully prepared to take the issue to court in a property damage lawsuit to secure full and fair compensation for repairs and replacement of your damaged property.
Common Reasons for
Insurance Claim Denials
Insurance claim denials can be frustrating and financially devastating. Common reasons for denials include:
- Late premium payments
- Suspicious statements
- Inconsistencies in the application
- Missing a filing deadline.
An experienced lawyer by your side helps avoid common mistakes and can strengthen your claim. Lack of sufficient evidence of damage is another common reason for claim denials. Insurers may use tactics to intimidate policyholders and deny claims, including employing teams of lawyers. Insurance companies might blame you for inadequacies and awareness of these tactics helps you prepare and protect your rights.
Common exclusions in homeowners insurance policies, like damages from floods, earthquakes, and pest infestations, can lead to claim denials. Understanding these exclusions and securing additional coverage can prevent unwelcome surprises when filing a claim.
Understanding Your Policy
A thorough understanding of your homeowner’s insurance policy is vital for obtaining your insurance settlement for property damage. Policies can cover property damage against negligence, natural disasters, or willful destruction.
A typical homeowners insurance policy covers structural damage, personal belongings, and liability protection. However, common exclusions may include damages from floods, earthquakes, and cosmetic damage, which can lead to claim denials if not properly understood.
Thoroughly reviewing your policy helps grasp the coverage limits and exclusions, and can prevent unwelcome surprises when you need to file a claim.
Dwelling and Structural
Coverage
Dwelling and structural coverage is a fundamental component of homeowners insurance. This coverage includes protection for the structure and attached structures. Commonly claimed damages under homeowners insurance include wind and hail damage, particularly hurricanes, tornadoes, and storms. Standard policies typically cover foundations, walls, roofs, and attached or detached structures.
When assessing damage, it’s crucial to determine whether the property is so damaged that it cannot be fixed. This requires understanding repair costs and possibly providing estimates to support your property damage claim. Without this knowledge, you might struggle to grasp the extent of the damage and the costs involved.
Personal Property
Coverage
Personal property coverage within a homeowners insurance policy protects your belongings inside the home. This includes furniture, electronics, clothing, and appliances within the insured premises. However, certain high-value items like jewelry, artwork, and collectibles may have limited coverage amounts unless additional insurance is purchased.
Regularly updating your home inventory list maximizes personal property coverage. This ensures that your coverage reflects the current value of your personal belongings. Additionally, reviewing policy details and considering riders for specific high-value items can prevent gaps in coverage and ensure adequate protection for all your possessions.
Liability
Coverage
Liability coverage is another critical aspect of homeowners insurance. This coverage protects against liability claims from injuries occurring on your property. However, it does not cover injuries caused intentionally by the policyholder. Knowing the scope of liability coverage helps manage risks and ensures adequate protection against potential lawsuits.
FAQ
A first-party property damage claim is when a policyholder files a claim directly with their own insurance company for damages covered under their insurance policy. This typically includes property damage from storms, fires, floods, or vandalism. If your insurer wrongfully denies or underpays your claim, a property damage attorney can help fight for the compensation you deserve.
If your insurance company denies your property damage claim, review the denial letter carefully and consult a first-party property damage attorney. Insurers often deny claims due to policy exclusions, insufficient documentation, or bad faith practices. An experienced lawyer can help appeal the denial and hold the insurance company accountable.
A property damage lawyer can negotiate with your insurance company, gather necessary evidence, and take legal action if your insurer acts in bad faith. Whether your claim is underpaid, delayed, or wrongfully denied, an attorney ensures you receive the full compensation your policy promises.
Insurance companies may deny claims due to policy exclusions, late filing, lack of proper documentation, or allegations of pre-existing damage. If your claim has been denied unfairly, a property damage lawyer can challenge the decision and work to secure the payout you’re entitled to.
The deadline to file a first-party property damage claim varies by state and policy. Some policies require claims to be filed within days of the incident, while legal statutes of limitations may allow longer. Acting quickly and consulting a property damage attorney can help protect your rights.
Insurance bad faith occurs when an insurance company unreasonably delays, denies, or underpays a valid claim. Signs of bad faith include lowball settlement offers, lack of communication, excessive delays, or wrongful denial without proper justification. A lawyer can help you take legal action if your insurer engages in bad faith practices.
Yes, if your insurance company undervalues your claim, you have the right to dispute their assessment. A property damage attorney can gather additional evidence, such as contractor estimates or expert evaluations, to fight for a fair payout that covers the full extent of your losses.
Most property damage attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay upfront legal fees. Instead, they only get paid if they recover compensation for you. This allows homeowners and business owners to pursue legal action without financial risk.
Standard homeowners and commercial property insurance policies cover damage from fire, windstorms, hail, water leaks, theft, and vandalism. However, exclusions may apply, such as for flood or earthquake damage, which often require separate policies. Reviewing your policy with a lawyer can help clarify coverage.
The timeline for resolving a property damage claim varies based on the complexity of the claim, the insurance company’s response, and whether legal action is needed. While some claims settle in weeks, others may take months if the insurer is uncooperative. An attorney can help speed up the process and ensure fair treatment.
You should hire a property damage lawyer like Storm Law Partners to secure a fair settlement and effectively handle uncooperative insurance companies, especially when facing significant home damage. Their expertise in navigating insurance complexities will work in your favor.
Our property damage lawyers handle various property damage claims, including commercial and residential property damage from storms, winds, hurricanes, natural disasters, fire, and smoke. Each type necessitates specialized legal expertise to obtain fair compensation.
Immediately after suffering property damage, it is crucial to document the damage thoroughly, file your insurance claim promptly, and protect your property from further harm. Taking these steps will significantly enhance the chances of a successful claim.
Property damage attorneys help with claims by filing them, managing communication with insurance companies, negotiating fair settlements, and preparing for litigation if necessary. Their expertise significantly increases your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve.
We win far more than we lose. We can’t make any guarantees, but our firm is fully capable of going to trial regarding cases if necessary, and we enjoy trying cases.
Once insurance decides to pay, on average, about 30 days for them to process your payment.
Tens of thousands of cases, and over a billion dollars of claims by policyholders, when counting all the different states, property types, and insurance carriers that our co-counsel, associated counsel, and other attorneys have worked on.
