Don't Make the Mistake of Not Seeking Help
One of the biggest mistakes people make when filing an insurance claim is waiting to contact a lawyer until there is a problem. People expect that if they paid their premiums, they cooperate with the insurance company, and only want what is fair, that everything will be fine. As experienced property insurance dispute attorneys who have been representing home and business owners with their property damage claims, such as those arising from Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Sally, and Hurricane Ian, our attorneys at Taylor, Warren, Weidner & Hancock, have seen far too often insurance companies pay only a minuscule amount on a property damage claim, leaving the property owner with no recourse to seek additional funds. Even if you only want what is fair, this is not a guarantee the insurance company will pay you what is fair without an experienced legal team fighting for your rights.
It is more often the insurance company is trying to gather evidence they plan to use to deny your claim. TWWH attorney, Phillip Warren, here explains why it is important to contact an insurance dispute lawyer before there is an issue and the types of things the insurance company may ask for that should prompt you to contact an attorney. You have rights under the policy, and we want to make sure you take all the steps necessary to protect those rights. If you have an insurance claim and you have questions about what the insurance company is entitled to from you or what you are obligated to do under the policy, contact us. We never charge or an initial consultation to explain your rights.
You Can Afford an Attorney
Many people also wait to contact an insurance dispute lawyer because they do not think they can afford an attorney. You can absolutely afford an insurance lawyer when you only pay if the insurance company pays you. Did you know that Florida law requires, in most circumstances, when you have to file a lawsuit against your insurance company and you win that—in addition to the insurance benefits the insurance company had already promised to pay you—they also then have to pay your attorney's fees? We handle most insurance cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no attorney's fees if there is no recovery. The only thing you can't afford is to trust that you don't need an insurance lawyer looking out for you because you only want what is fair.
You Need an Insurance Lawyer, Even If You Only Want What Is Fair
You need an insurance lawyer, even if you only want what is fair, because the insurance company rarely plays fairly. While they tell you they are “investigating” your claim, sending an adjuster out to document damage, or asking for records or receipts, they are often trying to find everything they can and use everything they find to DENY YOUR CLAIM. Our attorneys at Taylor, Warren, Weidner & Hancock have seen this happen in hundreds of claims following Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Sally, and Hurricane Ian. In the background, the insurance company is often hiring experts (many of whom they have hired a hundred times before because their opinions are always favorable for the insurance company) to form opinions that allow them to say your water, fire, or hurricane damage is excluded as pre-existing wear and tear, or the product of faulty maintenance, or as damage caused by an excluded cause such as long-term water seepage, or sealant failure. You likely cannot afford to hire your own expert, but we advance those costs on your behalf. We will hire experts for you, experts who will conduct reliable investigations and render honest, reliable opinions. You pay none of the costs we advance if there is no recovery.
If you are trying to handle an insurance claim on your own, you are putting your rights and your recovery at risk. There is no cost or downside to contacting an attorney to talk about your policy, your claim, and the full amount you are entitled to recover. If you have questions about an insurance claim, do not wait. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.