Insurance Law Is Purposefully Complicated

Perhaps the most frustrating call anyone ever makes is any call to an insurance company that includes the word “Why?” Asking any question of an insurance company regarding coverage and denials is met with stonewalling and frustration. But insurance claims don’t have to totally frustrate you, not with the right help.

At Collett Law, PLLC, we are homeowners’ insurance attorneys with significant experience in insurance claims in Florida. We help clients in Jacksonville and across Florida persevere in insurance claims after devastating incidents. The clients who come to us appreciate our total commitment to their case and our knowledge. We take on the frustrating difficulties created by insurance companies and pursue the compensation for damages you deserve.

Challenges For Insurance Claims In Jacksonville

As a major city in Florida, Jacksonville is no stranger to the extensive damage that comes with the weather. People in Jacksonville are frequently victims of severe damage, such as:

• Hurricane damage: Each year, hurricanes hit the coast of Florida, causing significant wind damage to homes. Those homes and businesses require assistance, which is often withheld in keyways.
• Hail damage: Outside of hurricane season, there is hail season in the early spring. Hail is a dangerous, destructive force that can cost a great deal to remediate after a storm.
• Water damage: Claims regarding flooding, storm surges and rain damage are all covered under often different aspects of a policy. Damage from a flood, leaking pipe damage and mold damage are all different riders in your insurance.
• Fire and structural damage: Fires can and do happen in Florida, even if most of the news is on the storms. However, fire and water damage claims are often closely related, as fires can break out after lightning strikes or malfunctions caused by storms.

A serious hurricane or natural disaster is going to cause significant losses across the region. However, insurance is supposed to be there to help people get back up, but the reality is that insurance is a business, and it succeeds when you do not have a successful claim.

Our focus on insurance claim disputes, our history of working for insurers and our finding out how to move forward are massive benefits to our clients.

We Protect Businesses And Residences

Natural disasters hit businesses and homes with the same intensity, leading to extensive damages for both. With our experience, we can help both groups pursue the compensation they deserve for the destruction they suffer.

Insurance adjusters may imply that your insurance coverage is nowhere near what it needs to be for an incident. However, we are familiar with claims language and insurance litigation, and we can take on the hassle of securing the compensation you need to recover from roof damage, flood damage or anything else.

What To Do After An Insurance Denial

After filing a claim, many people pursuing assistance with property damage will face an initial denial. Denials are commonly the first step in any claim process, and the goal of an initial denial is simple: to discourage you from moving forward. Many people will see a denied claim as a sign that they have to find alternate ways to recover.

However, there is a clear path forward after a denial:

• Review the documentation: Denial letters often have extensive details regarding the insurance company’s reasoning and justifications.
• Compile all your paperwork: Get together all the documentation you have, including reports from insurance adjusters and damage bills.
• Contact an attorney: Once you have everything you can gather, you need to look for legal help. There is a possible way forward on your own, but without legal help you will be at a disadvantage.

Denials are a roadblock and an inconvenience, and that is without question a major concern for you at a time when you need help. However, giving up is exactly what the insurance company wants you to do.

Was Your Denial An Example Of Bad Faith Insurance?

Bad faith insurance is insurance sold to consumers by a company with no intention of honoring the agreement. There is a fine but important line between a bad faith denial and a normal denial. This issue is far from simple, and it can take serious work to discover if there was a bad faith aspect to your case.

In bad-faith insurance litigation, we will pursue your claim and test the company in court. The law in Florida states that bad faith is “Not attempting in good faith to settle claims when, under all the circumstances, it could and should have done so, had it acted fairly and honestly toward its insured with due regard for her or his interests.”

Our case will examine the deals made, the offers, settlements and statements throughout your claim. Any inconsistency, deception or even miscalculation we discover will be evidence in your favor.

The Role Of Attorneys In Insurance Claims

Our role in your insurance case is to keep the insurance company honest in its dealings with you. Because we understand the law and the tricks of the trade for insurance companies, we can stand up to them and make sure they deal with you fairly. We do this in several ways:

• Information: You need to understand how the insurance system works to effectively move through it. We offer advice and guidance throughout your case to help you have the information you need to stay in control of your case.
• Negotiation: You don’t have to be a lawyer to negotiate with an insurance company. However, as attorneys, we have a full knowledge of your rights and the meaning behind the complex language in your policy. Our knowledge and experience give us an edge.
• Litigation: When our best efforts to reach a good faith deal cannot move the insurance company, we take the next step for you. We have the experience to bring your case to the court and continue to pursue what you deserve for as long as necessary.

We are caring, compassionate attorneys who put our clients’ needs first throughout their cases. We care about them and want them to put their trust in us to help secure the compensation they deserve.

When You’re In Need Of Assistance After A Disaster, We’ll Be There

The most upsetting part of filing a claim for any sort of damage, from roof damage after a hurricane to vandalism of a business, is the uncertainty and lack of control. We know how much you need help and how much you deserve fair treatment. We will do everything we can to put you on even footing.

We will treat you with the respect and care that you deserve from the insurance company. Call today 904-644-1143 for a free consultation or send an email using this form.