Property Insurance
At The Morgan Law Group P.A., our Louisiana, Mississippi, California, and Puerto Rico Florida insurance claims attorneys know there are multiple things home, condo, and business owners can do to help strengthen their hurricane, flood, or fire damage claims.
Unfortunately, there are also several things they can do to hinder their insurance claims, which can lead to payment delays, undervalued assessments, and outright denials.
Here is a list of the most common mistakes property owners make, so you can avoid putting your insurance settlement at risk.
Failing to File a Timely Insurance Claim
The most common and costly mistake home and property owners can make when pursuing their insurance coverage for damages is not filing their claim on time.
The insurance company does not need a legitimate excuse to deny your claim, so it is important not to give them one.
The sooner you file a property damage claim, the sooner your claim can be resolved, and repairs can start. The longer you wait, the more severe the damage may become, leading to a second mistake.
Failing to Mitigate Further Damage
When damage to your home, condo, or business occurs, it is crucial that you do what you can to mitigate further damage. That means putting a tarp over a hole in the roof or boarding up a broken window, so rain or other elements do not increase your damage.
Insurance pays for unexpected damage, not damage that could have been prevented.
Failing to Properly Document All Damage
We have talked about the importance of documenting your property and possessions before any damage occurs. It is equally important to document the damages as soon as it is safe to do so. That includes creating a list of damages and supporting images of what they look like after the storm, fire, or other damage occurred.
When you have a documented inventory of your property, and pictures that support the documents, it is much easier to show the insurance company before and after images that support your claim. Without it, the insurance company is unlikely to simply take your word for it.
Taking the Insurance Company’s Word for What Your Damages are Worth
Just as you would not expect the insurance company to take your word for the damages you sustained without actual evidence, you should not take their word for what your damages are worth. In most cases, the initial settlement offer is going to be much lower than your actual damages are worth. You do not have to accept their initial settlement offer.
Instead, contact our experienced insurance claims attorneys in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, California, or Puerto Rico by calling 888-904-2524 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue the outcome you deserve from your insurance policy without further delay.
