Homes in Florida are prone to hurricanes, so it’s no surprise that homeowner’s insurance is required by law if you live in the state. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have problems with your insurance company if you have to file a claim or two during your time as a homeowner. If your insurance company tries to pay you less than what you expect on your homeowner’s insurance claim, contact an attorney who handles homeowners insurance issues in Florida and ask them about your options.
What does an attorney do?
An homeowners insurance attorney will represent the homeowner, who is their client, and guide them through the process of filing a claim for losses to the home incurred from a covered event like windstorm or fire. Attorney fees vary from case to case, but this type of lawyer usually charges by the hour. There are some attorneys that take cases on contingency, where they are paid when they get a favorable result for their client; some attorneys charge an hourly fee with no recovery obligation while others work on a flat fee basis, which requires clients to pay them up front. A homeowner should find out about any conditions before hiring a homeowners insurance attorney so there aren’t any surprises later on. A homeowner should also make sure that the lawyers experience matches what is needed for the particular type of loss. For example, if there has been water damage to carpeting, it would be best to hire an attorney with expertise in personal injury law because the firm could have experience dealing with property owners who were victims of water damage due to defective products. It is important to remember that not all homeowners insurance attorneys handle all types of claims – it may require hiring more than one.
What exactly should I be suing for?
Typically, homeowners file claims for weather-related damages and for damage to their personal property caused by someone else (e.g., vandalism). However, sometimes it isn’t the extreme storm that makes things worse–it’s the way a homeowner reacts to the storm. For example, when Hurricane Sandy hit New York City in 2012, people were so focused on evacuating or staying home that they didn’t have time to prepare themselves or their homes properly, which led to a large number of disaster-related calls to homeowners’ insurance companies after the storm was over. So what do you need to take care of before filing your claim? 1) Make sure your homeowner’s policy is up to date. Most homeowners don’t realize this until they’ve already been through a situation where they should have had coverage but didn’t because of an outdated policy. 2) Take pictures or video footage from all angles of any damage that occurred from the storm and make copies for yourself, as well as for your insurance company. 3) Gather repair estimates and receipts for anything that needs replacing due to the storm.
How to find an attorney
Finding an experienced attorney to represent your interests may seem daunting, but it’s worth putting the effort into finding the right one. For example, if you’re looking for a homeowners insurance attorney in Florida, ask friends and family for recommendations first before exploring online reviews or advertisements. If you have personal knowledge of someone who has experience as a homeowners insurance attorney in Florida, that would be a good starting point. Also check on licenses: attorneys are licensed by their state’s bar association and must maintain their license by meeting continuing education requirements each year. Insurance companies are regulated by the state where they are headquartered. Attorneys typically specialize in just one type of law, such as representing homeowners in disputes with their insurance company. When hiring an attorney, make sure he or she is qualified to represent you – there is no national certification for legal representation. You should also inquire about fees upfront; many lawyers charge a flat fee for handling cases up front rather than charging hourly rates.
My insurance was canceled by the adjuster without my knowledge. How do I get them to reinstate it?
What do I do? My homeowners insurance was canceled by the adjuster without my knowledge, and now I’m not sure what to do about it. I need advice on how to get them to reinstate it before something happens. What should I tell the adjuster when he comes back from vacation? What would be the best way for me to handle this situation? Can you recommend a good homeowners insurance attorney in Florida that can give me some guidance? The last thing I want is to lose my house. Thank you! I’ve made an appointment with an attorney and hopefully we’ll be able to work out something that will help me out of this mess.
What happens after I sue?
Once the dispute is submitted to the court, it usually takes 45-60 days for a resolution, but it may take longer depending on how quickly the other party responds to the request. The trial date is scheduled once the complaint has been filed and served, which typically happens within six months of filing (depending on the courts). In some cases where plaintiffs are asking for declaratory relief, they may not need to wait for a trial date before they know what their case will be settled. If the defendant does not file an answer or motion to dismiss within 30 days after being served, then the plaintiff gets permission from the court clerk to enter a default judgment. If there is no settlement offer made by either side by 60 days after filing, then a default judgment can also be entered at that time. After the parties have decided on a judge, both sides should provide all documents relevant to the case including medical records and witness testimony. Finally, each side provides oral arguments outlining their position. If one party decides not to attend these proceedings then this constitutes waiving his right to speak; however, these provisions do not apply if one party is incarcerated at the time of trial.
