Hurricane season is always a stressful time for people in Daytona. What happens is that when the storm hits your home or property, you expect your insurance company to step up and honor your claim. However, many homeowners face denied claims, leaving them abandoned and frustrated.
If your hurricane insurance claim has been denied, do not lose hope. An experienced attorney can step in, advocate for you, and strive to get the compensation you deserve. Here’s how they can help.
Understanding Why Claims Get Denied
Insurance companies deny claims for a variety of reasons, and knowing these can help you spot red flags. Common ones include:
- Lack of Documentation: Insufficient proof of damage or repair estimates.
- Policy Exclusions: The damage results from something that isn’t in your policy, for example, flooding, but you don’t have flood insurance.
- Missed Deadlines: You file the claim after the timeframe that is permissible.
- Alleged Negligence: You haven’t taken enough measures to protect your property as a prudent individual would before a storm.
Even though these grounds appear valid, they are often taken out of proportion or are not based on fact. That’s where a lawyer will help.
How an Attorney Can Help
- Reviewing Your Policy: Insurance policies are full of legalese and fine print. An attorney will carefully review your policy to determine what’s covered, what’s excluded, and if your insurer has breached their obligations.
- Evidence: In the majority of dispute cases involving an insurance claim, evidence plays a huge part. Lawyers will collaborate with specialists to indicate the full extent of your damages, create accurate quotes for repairs, and ensure that all necessary paperwork is fulfilled.
- Negotiation with the Insurance Company: Attorneys are experienced negotiators. They will actively communicate with your insurer, question their denial, and lobby for a reasonable settlement.
- Appeal or Lawsuit: If negotiation fails to work out, your attorney can appeal the denial or even file a lawsuit against your insurance company. They’ll argue your claim strongly.
- Safeguarding against Bad Faith Practices: Some insurers act in bad faith by delaying claims, misrepresenting policy details, or pressuring you into accepting a low settlement. An attorney can hold them accountable and ensure they treat you fairly.
Why Acting Quickly Matters
The sooner you contest a denial, the better chance you have of recovering some or even all your losses. Florida law has time deadlines to file appeals on denied claims or bring your lawsuit. Acting quickly ensures that your attorney will have ample time to build a solid case.
If you are not sure where to begin, the Florida Division of Consumer Services and FEMA’s Hurricane Assistance can get you started on your claim and appeal.
Finding the Right Attorney
Not all attorneys practice insurance disputes, so locating one who has experience with hurricane insurance claims would be important. Seek an attorney who:
- Has a history of successfully contesting denied claims.
- Is familiar with Florida’s insurance laws and regulations.
- Provides a free consultation to discuss your case.
We are Here to Help
We at Consumer Help Group know how upsetting and wrong it feels to have denied claims. Our network teams connect you with experienced hurricane insurance attorneys in Daytona who will fight for you tooth and nail.
Do not let a denial stand in the way of getting you the right compensation to rebuild your life. Visit the Consumer Help Group today to get a Free consultation from the hurricane insurance lawyers in Daytona and see how we can help you.
