There is Damage to My Property - Now What?

A person’s home is their castle. People want to protect their castle from damage. If you own multiple properties – say a beach condo in Avalon or a cottage in the Poconos – then the potential dangers are multiplied. Add a few cars into the mix and property damage can be very costly. Luckily, there are insurances to cover almost every type of property you may own. Even if you do not own your property, you can obtain renter’s insurance to cover any potential losses. You can even acquire insurance for your small, personal property such as expensive cameras, jewelry, and pieces of artwork.

Even if you plan for the worst, sometimes your planning is not enough. Insurances do not always cover 100% of your damage. That is where a good attorney can come in, especially if the damage is not your fault. The experienced property damage lawyers at Freundlich & Littman, LLC are here to stand by your side while you fight for the money you deserve.

Frozen Pipes

Broken pipes, particularly those that have frozen, can cause massive damage to your property. What people do not realize is if they have home insurance they are likely covered for the resulting damages. Often insurance companies will not only try to pay as little as possible for your loss but try to avoid coverage of your claim all together. That is why it is so important to get an experienced lawyer to evaluate the damage and speak on your behalf. At Freundlich & Littman, LLC we work with a team of lawyers and public adjuster who are experts in insurance coverage. Call now and let us maximize your recovery today.

If Someone Else Damages Your Property

In a car accident where another car is involved, make sure to obtain the insurance information of the other person or persons involved. Even if the situation was your fault or you cannot determine fault, take down their information. Give the information to your insurance company. The insurance company will take that information and work with the other insurance company or companies to determine who will pay out the insurance money to cover all the damages. Even if your home is damaged by a car smashing into it, make sure to get their insurance information. Their car insurance company may be able to provide some coverage to you.

If you cannot determine who caused the damage to your property, let your insurance company know that as well. In cases where the damage is a result of a hit and run, make sure to call the police first to see if the driver can be found.

All this information will affect your insurance company’s determinations regarding your claim. It will be a challenge collecting from another company without adequate proof of liability. Make sure you keep everything so that you can prove liability for insurance purposes.

Lodging Property Damage Claims with Insurance Companies

After your property is damaged, your first step is to get in touch with your insurance company to file a claim for the damages. You pay money each month and deserve to have the fullest protection for your money.

Once the property damaged is discovered, your next priority is maintaining all the evidence. You do not need to laminate everything or go overboard to preserve everything. Simply take pictures of all the damage. If necessary, call the police. The police will give you a full report for your records (this is especially important if you were in a car accident). Any forms that you sign or fill out in connection with your insurance claim should be kept in your personal records. Keep all documents in a safe place until the insurance claim process is complete.

Your insurance company will ask you to provide your basic demographic information and details about the damage. Especially if the damage is costly, your insurance company will most likely have an insurance adjuster contact you to determine the value of your claim. Be prepared to be asked questions regarding your claim. The insurance adjuster’s job is to make sure the insurance company only pays what they are legally obligated to pay for. Insurance companies may also require you to show proof for whatever insurance payouts you feel that you are entitled to receive. Insurance adjusters will try to get you to settle your claim, so never agree to a settlement offer than you are not comfortable with. Do not be fooled, the insurance adjuster is not looking out for your best interests, but is instead looking to save the insurance company the maximum amount of money.

If you feel that you are not getting the full amount that you are entitled to or are unsure if an offer from the insurance adjustor is fair, do not hesitate to contact legal counsel to review your options. Insurance companies have a lot of clout. They have adjusters and attorneys on their side. If you also have someone on your side, it will help the process.

What if the Insurance Company Will Not Pay?

If your insurance company denies your claim, you have options. Usually insurance companies make difficult to speak with representatives and for this reason, it may be burdensome to try to reason with your insurance company. It may be just a small error which caused the denial of benefits. Speaking with an actual representative may help move the case along instead of relying on e-mail communications and forms. But be aware, insurance companies are often recording your statements and will use them against you. In that same vein, make sure that you carefully read any document that an insurance company may be requiring you to sign. If you are not careful, you may be signing away your right to sue!

To help you navigate the complexities of recovering what you are entitled to, contact an attorney straight away. Keep in mind that insurance companies can take a few weeks to process your claim from start to finish. If your insurance company is denying you fair payment of your claim, do not hesitate to seek the best advice available. Contact the property damage lawyers at Freundlich & Littman, LLC today to schedule a free consultation.