Naples Property Damage Attorneys

Property Damage Claims for Florida Homeowners

As any local homeowner knows, hurricane season is a major cause of property damage in Florida. Yet, numerous catastrophes can damage or even destroy your home and the precious assets you keep inside it. At the Pittman Law Firm, P.L. we understand that homeowner’s insurance claims for property damage can be complicated and stressful. Our Naples property damage attorneys are here to provide the assistance you need.

We can help you to understand if you have a homeowner’s insurance claim for property damage. Our attorneys are happy to simply provide advice or to complete the claims process by your side. In the event your insurance company attempts an act of bad faith, we will fight back. Whatever your Florida property damage claim needs, we are here for you.

We offer free case evaluations to all potential clients. Simply give us a call at (239) 567-9686 or contact us online to get started.

Natural Disasters in Florida

The official hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, although these all too familiar storms usually peak between August and October. Though annual hurricanes and tropical storms are a huge risk to local homeowners, Florida is susceptible to many other types of disasters.

Other examples of disasters that can affect your home include:

• Droughts
• Extreme heat
• Fallen trees
• Fires
• Floods
• Hail
• Sinkholes
• Thunderstorms
• Tornados
• Wind

The typical homeowner’s insurance policy doesn’t cover flood damage, so if this a concern of yours, we urge you to check that your policy covers water damage. When in doubt, never hesitate to contact your insurance company for the details of your coverage.

Homeowner’s Insurance Claims for Property Damage

In the unfortunate event that a storm or another catastrophe, such as a fire, damages or destroys your home, you will have to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company. If the insurance company accepts your claim, it can help you cover the costs of repairs, replacements, temporary housing, and other expenses.

To report the incident to your insurance company, take the following steps:

• Call your insurance company to report the damage and ensure you’re covered
• Fill out the claim forms your insurer sends you as soon as possible
• Prepare for the insurance adjuster’s visit by documenting damaged items/areas
• Have your insurance adjuster inspect the damage
• Make temporary repairs for your safety, if necessary
• Alternatively, find a temporary place to stay until the damage is fixed

Don't be shy about asking questions to your adjuster and always keep your receipts. Any documentation you have that reflects any expenses on behalf of your home’s property damage can be used as evidence to support your claim and will ensure you get reimbursed properly. It is always a good idea to photograph and catalog any damage that has occurred on your own as well—you never know when you’ll want or need a backup.

Should I File a Property Damage Claim?

Following a disaster, there may be doubt surrounding whether your insurance company actually covers it. You may even feel like the damage isn’t serious enough to warrant a claim.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to decide if making a claim is the right choice:

• Is the damage to my property covered as a loss under my policy? If it is, then you may want to make a claim. If not, you may already be out of luck.
• What is my deductible? If the cost of the damages to your property doesn’t exceed your deductible, you may not want to file an insurance claim.
• Are there special policy limits that apply to my loss? Payment for damage to certain types of property may be subject to a special limit, which could be less than the total amount of damage to that property.

If you are still in doubt or would like assistance, feel free to contact our property damage lawyers to discuss these matters further during a free consultation.

Bad Faith Insurance Claims

At times, an insurance company will attempt to underpay a claim, or they may even throw it out entirely. If you believe that you have a valid claim, but your homeowner’s insurance company ignores your claim, refuses to pay it, or offers you a settlement amount that seems suspiciously low, you may have been a victim of bad faith. Our property damage attorneys can help you fight bad faith practices in order to secure an adequate amount of compensation that will fully your losses.

Filing a Digital Insurance Claim May Help You

Using digital resources to file your property damage claim may make it easier for you and help save you time. According to the 2021 U.S. Property Claims Satisfaction Study by J.D. Power consumers who chose to file their property claims through a fully digital process reduced their time to payout up to 5.5 days. Additionally, utilizing these digital tools can help make it easier for claimants to create inventory lists before a loss event, which when done, can also reduce the time to payout up to 3.4 days. If your insurance carrier offers digital tools, they may help you make your claims process a little bit easier.

Contact a Naples Property Damage Attorney Today!

At the Pittman Law Firm, P.L., our husband and wife team has dedicated the last 25 years to representing Floridians in need. We incorporate a synergistic approach to every case, and we involve our clients in every step of the process. While we draw from past experiences to build a strategy that works for you, we understand that there is no one size fits all approach to legal matters. Every individual is unique—rather than making assumptions about you, we will take the time to listen to your specific situation and needs. For compassionate, steadfast, and professional legal help, we are the firm for you.

Call (239) 567-9686 or contact us online to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with us today.