Hurricanes represent a major risk for Florida properties. That’s why homeowners make sure their homeowners’ insurance policies include hurricane coverage – and pay for that coverage. But all too often, we hear from homeowners whose hurricane damage claims are denied by their insurer – even when there is obvious damage due to the event and the policy is current!
That’s not right. It’s not fair to responsible homeowners and it’s not something you have to accept. Just because your insurance company denied your claim does not mean they are in the right and you have no hope of getting any kind of financial help to repair your home.
An unwarranted denial of coverage is considered a bad faith insurance practice and it’s illegal.
Your Insurer Owes You A Duty To Act In Good Faith
All insurance companies, in all states, owe their customers a duty to act in good faith. That means they cannot seek ways to deny your claim or escape investigating your claim just to avoid paying out on the policy. If hurricane damage is covered by your homeowners’ insurance policy, then your insurer must investigate the claim fairly and honestly.
Common damages that occur during a hurricane and that are usually covered by policies include: wind damage, water damage (but not flood damage), mold damage, and structural damage, but each situation is different. That’s why it’s so important for the insurance company to send someone out to investigate the claim, not simply deny it based on paperwork.
A Bad Faith Insurance Attorney Can Move Claims Forward
If you have filed a claim for hurricane damage and been denied or been offered a settlement that you think is too low, contact our bad faith insurance attorney right away. We can help you understand your policy, examine the claim denial and compare that against the claim filed, and help you argue your case to the insurance company. It’s very common for insurers to claim the damages occurred from something other than the hurricane event, but we can help prove that is not the case.
We help negotiate settlements outside of court, but if need be, we will go to trial to secure the compensation to which you are entitled.
Contact The Beregovich Law Firm for a free consultation by calling (800) 631-9009 or email us at [email protected] to arrange your no obligation consultation.
