Insuring high-end items like yachts, planes, businesses, and homes should provide you with peace of mind. Your insurance policy should compensate you if your property is damaged due to a natural disaster or another unforeseen event.  Unfortunately, countless South Floridians file legitimate claims only to have them denied. You should not have to pay to repair or replace insured property out of pocket, and you should not have to deal with the insurance company directly. The property damage lawyers at Dyson Law, PLLC, can assist you with high-end property damage disputes if you live in Delray Beach or the rest of South Florida.

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that even the most basic claims can result in the most complicated problems. Most of these issues will arise simply because insurance companies are aware that repairing or replacing a home or high-end item is expensive, and they do not want to cover the entire cost. A dishonest insurer may try to save money by adding complexity and scrutiny to the process rather than taking care of their clients. Frequently, claim denials are invalid. Instead, the insurance company is looking to save money by having you drop the case and walk away in frustration. If you find yourself in the position of having to fight for a legitimate high-end property claim and are searching online for a “property damage lawyer near me,” look no further than Dyson Law, PLLC.

Common Causes of High-End Property Damage

These are just some of the causes of high-end property damage people experience in Delray Beach and the rest of South Florida:

• • Hurricanes and Wind
  • Tornadoes
  • Fires
  • Flood and Water
  • Lightning
  • Mold

Hurricanes and Wind

According to the Florida Climate Center, the possibility of storms and strong wind events is always present in Florida, especially during hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Blown-off roofs, damage from falling trees, flood penetration, broken windows and screens, and other losses are all possible consequences of high winds.

While most homeowner’s insurance plans cover wind and hail damage caused by hurricanes and storms, some policies may have exclusions that leave a homeowner out in the cold. If you’re having trouble getting your money back from an insurance company for a covered claim, you should seek aid from a homeowners insurance lawyer as soon as possible.

Tornadoes

According to the Florida Climate Center, in Florida, devastating tornadoes are most frequently reported in the spring and summer, with the strongest tornadoes typically hitting in the spring. Florida boasts the dubious distinction of having the highest tornado frequency per 10,000 square miles of any state, including Oklahoma. The coast between Tampa Bay and Fort Myers, as well as the western panhandle and portions of the Atlantic Coast, have a particularly high incidence.

A standard homeowner’s insurance policy will likely cover damage caused by tornadoes and other severe storms, as well as fires. Standard coverage includes repairs to the insured property and any included personal property. Additionally, homeowner’s insurance should reimburse you for additional living expenses if you cannot reside in your house due to tornado damage or a similar severe weather disaster.  But getting your insurance company to pay up after a disaster is another matter. If you find yourself fighting with your insurance company to get reimbursed for property damage due to a tornado, contact our homeowners insurance lawyer at Dyson Law so you won’t have to fight alone.

Fires

One of the most catastrophic and costly home insurance claims is fire because a fire can create multiple types of damage. In addition to the fire itself, soot and smoke can cause damage to your home. Many fire damage claims also include water damage to the home due to firefighting efforts.

Aside from the cost of repairs or replacement of your things, you’re likely to face other costs with a fire damage claim, such as the cost of temporary accommodation. Due to the severity of the damage and the fact that damage to your house was likely caused by both fire and smoke, as well as water, these claims can be challenging.

If you get the money you need to cover your specific fire expenses, it will depend on how your insurance company interprets the language in your policy and responds to your overall damage. Unfortunately, what your insurance policy covers, how your damages are assessed, and how much your insurance company is willing to pay are frequently at odds.

Flood and Water

Your homeowner’s insurance policy generally covers water damage caused by a burst pipe or rainwater. However, insurance companies treat water and flood damage as two separate concerns. Therefore, claims for water damage are frequently denied or reduced. Water damage from unexpected events such as a leaking appliance or a leaking roof is covered by most insurance policies, but flood damage, which might include water damage from a storm and severe rain, is not.

A conventional homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover water that flows above ground and into the home or through the foundation. This is why, in high-risk places like Florida, flood insurance is so important. You can find more information about obtaining flood insurance and what it does and does not cover from the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Consumer Services.

Lightning

Though you may think that lightning strikes don’t cause as much high-end property damage as is caused by hurricanes and wind damage, the financial loss is still significant. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the state of Florida holds the No. 1 spot in a list of the top 10 states for homeowners insurance lightning losses by number of claims for 2020. Florida had a total of 6,756 claims, with the average claim being $21,953, for a total loss of $148.3 billion.

If your property claim has been refused owing to lightning damage to electronics, for example, you could be facing a significant loss. You should not be out of pocket for damages covered by your insurance policy. A property damage lawyer can assist you with any claim issues you may have.

Mold

Mold-related property damage can be a significant issue — particularly in Florida. The combination of Florida’s humid climate and frequently rainy weather creates the ideal environment for deadly and destructive mold growth and development.  Typically, most homeowner’s insurance policies exclude mold-related damage to your property, except when caused by a covered claim such as water damage.

An example of water damage is when it occurs due to abrupt and unplanned events, such as a burst pipe or an overflow produced by a defective air conditioner. If the resultant moisture causes mold to grow, you would be entitled to file a claim under your water damage coverage for mold removal as well as for the repair of any property permanently harmed by the mold.

Reasons Insurance Companies Deny High-End Property Damage Claims

Insurance companies deny claims for various reasons. First, the insurance company might contest the cause or source of the property damage. For example, if you lose your roof in a hurricane, the claim’s adjuster might state that the roof was already damaged before the storm.

Second, companies deny claims by disputing the coverage. Insurance companies create dense legal contracts that can be difficult to understand. Then, they state that certain types of damage are not covered, even though they often are. Third, they might state that the damage was due to your negligence. It’s also possible to deny a claim by saying that you didn’t mitigate the damage after the initial problem. Other reasons for denial include non-payment and making false or misleading statements when obtaining coverage.

If you’ve been denied for these or other reasons, you might think that there’s nothing you can do. However, insurance companies often don’t have the legal right to deny claims. Contact Dyson Law, PLLC to speak with our homeowners insurance lawyer. We will analyze your insurance policy to see if your property is covered.

Dyson Law, PLLC: Your Property Damage Lawyer Near Me

At Dyson Law, PLLC, we combine an old-school work ethic with the latest technology to serve our clients well. With a small attorney-to-client ratio, you can rest assured we will keep you in the loop, give you the decision as to how to proceed, and provide exceptional value. At Dyson Law, PLLC, we do not abandon clients if they don’t fit into the square box. Instead, our experienced property damage lawyers will tackle the insurance companies and ensure they pay for any covered high-end property claims. Best of all, we work on a contingency basis, which means there are no upfront costs.

For a free consultation, contact Dyson Law Firm, PLLC at (561) 498-9979. We serve clients throughout Palm Beach County and South Florida.

Copyright © 2022. Dyson Law, PLLC. All rights reserved.

The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Dyson Law, PLLC
15300 Jog Rd STE 103
Delray Beach, FL 33446
(561) 498-9979
https://new.dysonlaw.com/