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Insurance FAQs

Insurance Litigation Group in Florida Answers Frequently Asked Questions about State Insurance Law and Property Damage Claims

We all buy insurance hoping we will never need it, but if a situation arises where we need to file a claim, many people are totally lost about how to proceed or are intimidated about dealing with insurance companies and their claims adjusters. The following information should help answer some of your most basic questions about insurance property damage claims. If you have other questions, or if you need immediate assistance filing a claim or resolving a dispute with your insurance company, call the Insurance Litigation Group at 786-529-0090 for a free consultation with an experienced and successful Florida insurance litigation attorney.

What does a public adjuster do?

The job of an insurance claims adjuster is to investigate a claim and determine whether coverage applies as well as determine the value of the claim. Insurance company adjusters and independent adjusters work for the insurance company and have the insurer’s interests in mind. A public adjuster works for the policyholder and is committed to advocating for the policyholder’s position. A public adjuster can provide immediate advice and assistance to help you mitigate your loss, secure your claim, fulfill your obligations under the policy, preserve evidence, and guide you through making necessary arrangements such as finding a temporary place to live. A public adjuster will measure and document the loss, uninfluenced by the insurance company, and will prepare and adjust your claim on your behalf.

Why do I need a public adjuster?

A public adjuster can help you fully recover for all your covered damages. The adjuster will conduct a complete damage analysis and inspect all areas to demonstrate the entire impact of the loss-producing event on your property. Public adjusters are trained in claims adjusting and in providing personalized service to the policyholder. Since their fees are contingent on the amount of reimbursement you get from your carrier, public adjusters are motivated to obtain the most accurate, comprehensive and fastest recovery on your behalf. If you rely solely on the word of an insurance company or its insurance adjuster, you are likely to have your claim denied or underpaid.

Why do I need an attorney?

An attorney has all the legal means and tools at his or her disposal to achieve the best result, including engaging in litigation as necessary. Public adjusters are fully aware of what they can and cannot do, and when they are unable to achieve what they know to be a full or fair resolution, many times they will refer the case to us.

What are the duties of the policyholder in the event of loss?

As a policyholder, being truthful in your application for insurance and keeping up with your premiums are essential to maintaining a valid policy in effect should you ever need it. In the event you do need to make a claim, you have further duties to the insurer, namely to notify them promptly about the loss and to cooperate with their investigation. Your specific duties may depend on the terms of your policy and the nature of your claim, but in general the following duties fall upon a policyholder in the event of loss:

  • Give prompt notice of loss to the insurer
  • Call the police if foul play is involved or suspected (such as theft or vandalism)
  • Submit a signed, sworn proof of loss statement as required by the insurer
  • Give a description of the circumstances surrounding the loss
  • Prepare an inventory of damaged property
  • Take reasonable steps to mitigate the damage
  • Allow the insurer to inspect the property
  • Cooperate in any investigation, including submitting to an Examination Under Oath
  • Keep the insurer informed of changes or other developments

What steps should I take before disaster strikes?

The first step to protecting your valuable real and personal property is to purchase an adequate amount of insurance and the right type of coverage with the assistance of a reputable broker or insurance agent. The next step is to create a record of the property you are protecting, which may mean taking pictures or video of your real and personal property, or making copies or backups of your important business records. These records should be stored securely in the event of disaster, which may include off-site or on-line storage as appropriate.

If a storm is approaching, follow the recommended steps to protect your property by using sandbags, boarding up windows, etc. Be sure to follow any evacuation orders as well. Your safety and the safety of your family or employees should be paramount. Damaged property can be replaced; that is what insurance is for. If you run into difficulty with your claim, Insurance Litigation Group can help.

What Our Clients Say

“We were so tired of non-returned phone calls from our insurance company. Their claim to having sent payment when they hadn’t was ridiculous. We had spent 6 months trying to resolve with no luck. We called Insurance Litigation Group and they resolved our claim simply and professionally.” 

G. Monin

“Thank you for your swift attention to my case.  Everything ran smoothly.  They gave me multiple options and always answered the phone!”

M. Close

“Excellent law firm if you are having trouble getting your Florida homeowners insurance company to pay your hurricane claim fairly. They have an excellent reputation in the panhandle and throughout Florida.” 

A. Fiske

“Best law firm to deal with Hurricane Michael  home insurance disputes. They understand how to maximize your insurance payout when dealing with insurance adjusters and claims departments. Highly recommend.”

I. Britton

“We hired ILG when our public adjuster could push no further with our insurance company to get our claim settled after Hurricane Michael and he advised us to file a lawsuit. We recently settled and received our final payment checks a couple of days ago. My husband and I are very pleased with the results. ILG did a great job for us. Thank God for people like this to help homeowners when insurance companies don’t want to pay out after a disaster! I highly recommend ILG.”

J. Moore

“I was very happy with the time and work that ILGpa did for me. Without their help I would not have the positive results that I received. Thank you so much for your help. I would recommend this group to anyone.”

M. Loranger

Our Offices

We are a client-focused law firm that fights aggressively on behalf of residential and commercial policyholders, contractors, restoration and mitigation companies, to produce maximum recovery results from insurance companies through our unique expertise, deep understanding of insurance law, cutting edge technology and proactive approach to litigation.

Insurance Litigation Group serves clients across the state of Florida. With over 7 offices statewide, our attorneys have the knowledge, skills and experience to resolve your dispute against the insurance company. 

By Appointment Only*

Contact Us

Contact us today about your situation so we can fight to get you paid. We can assist you in any coverage dispute, disagreement over liability or damages, or related matter.

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