3 Tips to Recover Fair Compensation from Your Homeowner’s Insurance Company after Hurricane Matthew
Category 4 Hurricane Matthew is heading straight toward Florida’s coastline. According to CNBC, the superstorm may be the most destructive hurricane to hit Florida in 10 years.
This is a stressful time for property owners. Torrential rains and 145 mph winds can wreak havoc on a home or business, and it is likely that the total cost of damages will climb well into the millions.
Preparing for such a powerful weather event requires more than boarding up your windows. You should also be ready for the aftermath. Namely, you should familiarize yourself with your homeowner’s insurance policy so you know how to make a claim.
Don’t Let Your Insurance Provider Cheat You out of Fair Compensation
It is important to remember that your insurance provider is a business. As such, its main goal is to maximize profits – and not necessarily to protect your best interests.
There are many strategies that insurance companies use to minimize their payouts or deny claims. If your home or business requires repairs after Hurricane Matthew, it is important to make sure your insurance provider does not cheat you out of fair compensation. Also, evaluate the repairs to confirm your property was restored to its pre-disaster condition.
If your insurance company undervalues your claim or your contractor provides cut-corner repairs with low-quality materials, contact Leader & Leader P.A. Michael D. Leader is an insurance claims lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who will evaluate your case to determine if you may be entitled to compensation. You can schedule a free initial consultation by calling 954-523-2020.
Read on to learn three tips to help you make a full recovery after Hurricane Matthew:
- Hire a Public Adjuster
This is the best way to ensure you are fairly compensated for your losses. Your insurance company will use its own adjuster or hire a private adjuster to estimate your repair costs. This adjuster will have financial incentive to represent the insurer’s interests by minimizing the repair estimates.
You should hire your own public adjuster to make sure your payout is fair. An experienced public adjuster will understand the legalities of insurance contracts. He or she can estimate your repairs and handle negotiations on your behalf.
- Evaluate the Repairs
Many homeowner’s insurance policies in Florida contain “managed repair” clauses. This means that your insurance provider can choose your contractor or make you select a contractor from a limited list. Often, these contractors offer inexpensive services – meaning they are not experienced or they use low-quality materials.
In most cases, your insurer must restore covered damages to their pre-disaster state. The contractor must use materials that offer similar value as the previous materials. To confirm this, you should hire a third party to evaluate the repairs.
- Confirm the Contractor Did Not Damage Your Other Property
If an inexperienced or cut-corners contractor repairs your property – which is likely if your insurance policy includes a managed repair clause – then it is likely that the contractor will damage your property. If this happens, you need to find out immediately so you can take the necessary steps to recover compensation.
As your insurance claims lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, Michael D. Leader will represent your interests if you feel cheated by your insurance company after Hurricane Matthew. Mr. Leader knows the tactics that insurers use to deny and undervalue claims. He will use that knowledge and his litigation experience to represent your interests. Call 954-523-2020 to schedule a consultation.