Naples Insurance Claim Lawyer
South Florida faces increasing threats from Hurricanes and other major storms. Many Naples residents have already faced the trauma of having to rebuild after seeing their homes sustain serious storm-related damage. And even in calmer weather conditions, there are a number of potential hazards that can threaten homes and property.
When bad things happen, we expect our insurance company to provide coverage. But that is often easier said than done. Dealing with an insurer is often an additional burden on top of rebuilding from a storm. An experienced Naples insurance claim lawyer can take some of that burden off of you. At the Pendas Law Firm, we represent homeowners and businesses seeking fair treatment and compensation under their insurance policies.
We Can Help You Navigate the Complexities of Dealing with Insurance Companies
There are a number of situations where you may need to seek insurance coverage, including hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, sinkholes, pipe leaks, and mold damage. Many property owners assume their policy will cover all of these damages. However, that is often not how the insurance company sees things.
Remember, insurance companies are for-profit businesses that have a financial incentive to minimize the amount of money it pays out to policyholders. So insurance adjusters will carefully scrutinize your policy to look for any grounds to deny coverage for an insurable event. In some cases, an insurer may cross the line into outright deceptive and dishonest conduct to justify a denial of coverage.
This is one reason it is important to engage a qualified Naples insurance claim lawyer early in the process. We understand all of the rules, deadlines, and technicalities that govern insurance policies in Florida. Many property owners end up hurting themselves simply by not knowing–and complying with–certain legal deadlines for even filing an insurance claim.
As a general rule, once you notify your insurer about an accident or property damage, the company must contact you within 14 days. You are also required to file a “proof of loss” form that lists any damages or losses to the property. Once the insurer receives this form, it has 10 days to start an investigation. And once that investigation is complete, the insurer has 90 days–roughly three months–to deny or accept your claim.
Even if the insurer accepts your claim, it may not be for the full amount of damages claimed. Under Florida law, disputes over the value of an insurance claim can be submitted to a process known as appraisal. Some insurance policies mandate appraisal. Others simply permit either you or the insurance company to request appraisal. If appraisal does not apply to your situation, then you may be able to take direct legal action against the insurer in court if you are dissatisfied with the handling of your claim.
Contact The Pendas Law Firm Today
The one thing that you should never do is assume the insurance company will be on your side. The insurer is ultimately looking out for its own financial interests first. If you want someone to give you independent legal advice and is only bound to look out for your interests, contact the Naples insurance claim lawyer at the Pendas Law Firm today.
