Amazon Considers Entering the Home Insurance Market: But is this a Good Thing?

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. According to CNBC, Amazon is reportedly considering entering the home insurance market. Yet, critics say that Amazon might have a harder time breaking into the home insurance market than it had breaking into the home delivery space. Offering home insurance is more complex because of the highly-regulated nature of the industry. Unlike shipping goods across state lines, insurance must comply with the regulations of each state. Offering insurance in all 50 states could be a unique challenge. It isn’t clear whether Amazon would team up with another experienced company in the area. Yet, if Amazon manages to expand its market to home insurance, will it really be able to cut costs, and at what ultimate cost to consumers? While some companies offer individuals price reductions when they have home security systems, some critics of Amazon claim that the company won’t be able to offer greater price reductions than those offered by other companies for similar prevent...

Hurricane Season is Here: Do You Have Enough Flood Insurance?

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. Hurricane season is upon us. While it is still early and we are not in the height of hurricane season just yet, now might be a good time to check and see that you have enough insurance, including but not limited to flood insurance, to cover you should a storm hit. Even if you have hurricane-windstorm, all perils and/or flood insurance, do you have enough coverage? According to Value Penguin, flood insurance is usually only mandated if you live in an area that is prone to flooding and if you have a mortgage. However, this coverage may be very minimal. If you live in a flood zone, you may want to purchase more than just the minimum coverage. Furthermore, if you own your house outright or don't have a mortgage, you may not be required to have flood coverage. However, this doesn't mean you should skip the costs. Individuals can suffer extreme damage in a flood or hurricane event. If you have a mortgage and live in a flood zone, your lender will require you to ha...

Five Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring a Contractor to Fix Fire or Flood Damage

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. Looking for a contractor to fix your home after you’ve suffered fire and flood damage, from the door, windows, to the roof and siding is no easy task. You’ll want a good contractor to fix your home, not the first contractor who knocks on your door. After all, the work he or she does can have an impact on the value of your home. Finding a good contractor to fix should be seen as making an investment in your home. According to the New York Times more and more Americans are looking to make home improvements. In 2016 alone Americans spent $361 billion on home improvements. That is why contractors are so important, and you can learn How to become a hvac contractor so that you can become so important to the America people. The good contractors will likely be booked well in advance. If you have home damage that needs to be repaired as soon as possible, this can make the stress of finding a good contractor even harder. Still there are some red flags you should n...

Hurricanes are Moving Slower: May Lead to More Damage

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. While many homeowners are still fighting to receive their insurance settlements for hurricane Irma, a new hurricane season is upon us, meaning that insurance companies such as One Sure Insurance are going to have their work cut out again. Scientists who study climate and weather predict meaningful storm activity this hurricane season. According to National Geographic, hurricanes are predicted to move more slowly, which is a big problem for homeowners and cities in the hurricane belt. Furthermore, hurricanes are also predicted to move further north as the world gets warmer. This means that even if you don't have a home in the tropics or subtropics, your home may increasingly be at risk of damage. If your home has been affected by any form of weather damage, it may be best to look into replacing vinyl siding. This can help repair damage, reduce costs for the future and increase energy efficiency by preventing moisture and wind getting in. Now might be the time...

How Spring Cleaning and Regular Inspections & Maintenance Can Help You Prevent an Insurance Claim

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. Spring cleaning is not just something promoted by popular culture. Taking the time to do some crucial cleaning as the weather gets warmer can also protect you from having to make an insurance claim. In some cases, if you don’t do your due diligence when it comes to spring cleaning, your insurance company can even try to deny your claim. Likewise, routine maintenance and inspection may prevent a loss or help ensure coverage with your insurance.  What are some areas you shouldn’t miss? Clean your gutters. According to Angie’s List, failing to clean your gutters can result in serious damage to your home. Gutters keep the water away from your home’s foundation. If the gutters are clogged, water can pool in your house’s foundation. Furthermore, clogged gutters can lead to water damage in your home. If your insurance company discovers that the water damage your home sustained was due to a clogged gutter, you could face a denied insurance claim. When...

41% of Homeowners Making Claims Over $30,000 Report Disagreements with Insurers

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. According to the New York Times, the higher your insurance claim, the more likely you are to face resistance from your homeowner’s insurance. This means that the more devastating your losses, the more you may have to fight your insurance adjuster to get the settlement you believe you deserve. For families who have lost their homes to fires or floods or hurricanes, the wait process can be stressful and difficult. In the aftermath of storm damage or sudden and unexpected damage to your home, homeowners may find themselves facing the stress of both trying to manage repairs and navigate the labyrinth of the homeowner’s insurance claims process. The average homeowner’s insurance claim is $11,402. However, when claims get bigger—and they can—insurance companies may try to push back. While individuals who suffer losses due to a falling tree or a fire can often get an adjuster to evaluate damages within a few days, if you suffer damages during a hurrican...

More Insurers Being Sued After Hurricane Irma

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. According to the Sun Sentinel, Hurricane Irma has resulted in increased lawsuits against insurers. Florida’s top 20 property insurers received 10,933 lawsuits between January 1 and March 31. The Sun Sentinel reports that this is a 61percent increase in lawsuits over previous years. Why would insurance companies see increased lawsuits after a hurricane? It often comes down to denied or unfairly paid claims well below the actual cost to bring the property back to its pre-loss condition. According to NPR, many homeowners sued insurance companies for their denied Katrina claims. Often, disputes arise when insurance companies use a policy’s fine print to deny a claim. Some insurance companies may refuse to pay for flood damage or for other kinds of damage related to a storm. In some cases, insurance companies use a policy’s fine print to claim that damage resulted from flooding and not wind claiming concurrent causes. However, after a storm, damage can oc...

How to Pick a Contractor After Hurricane Irma

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. It can be tough to live with a broken window or a damaged roof after a hurricane, but it is important to take the time to find the right contractor to fix your home to ensure long-lasting repairs. Unfortunately, in the aftermath of the storm, dishonest contractors may use the confusion and stress to overbill homeowners for their repairs. With so much work as a result of a severe wind storm, Hurricane or other weather event, everyone might be looking for contractors, and they may be overbooked. Traveling contractors may come into the area to get work. Sometimes, not all of these contractors are licensed. According to the Sun Sentinel, these contractors are known as “storm chasers.” They may not have the licensing to perform repairs or they may inflate the cost of repairs. Unfortunately, the people who most often suffer when this happens are homeowners who may then have trouble getting their insurance claims paid. One of the ways that contractors push ho...

Choosing the Right Homeowner’s Insurance

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. Many of the problems that Fort Lauderdale homeowners have faced in the wake of Irma could have been avoided had homeowners selected the proper insurance policies. High deductibles, limitations on coverage, managed repairs clauses, and other issues with the insurance policy have created problems when individuals made claims following the storm. Families who thought they were covered found themselves facing high deductibles and other challenges. If your home was damaged in hurricane Irma and you are still struggling to make a claim or to settle your claim, it is important to understand that many claims remain unsettled. Leader & Leader, P.A. are hurricane Irma insurance claims lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida who may be able to help you make a claim. However, the best time to protect yourself is before you even have to make a claim. Do you understand what is and isn’t covered by your current policy? Have you read the fine print? Do you know what the...

Avoid These Home Repair Mistakes

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. In the wake of Hurricane Irma, many homeowners were left searching for a contractor to make repairs on their homes. It can be tough enough to look for a reputable contractor under the best of circumstances—for example, when making a home renovation. But when it comes to looking for a contractor to repair damage to your home due to flooding, water, or fire damage, the stress can be even greater. Not only might you be facing the stress of having survived a natural disaster, but you may also struggle to find a reliable contractor, as many people might be searching for the same after a storm. Contractors may be overbooked or have long wait lists. So, what can you do to avoid the worst home repair mistakes? First of all, whether you are renovating or repairing, the New York Times notes that it is important to hire a licensed contractor. If you don’t use a licensed contractor, you might not be able to pursue legal remedies if anything goes wrong. Before you ...

GET ANSWERS TO ALL YOUR QUESTIONS

What Our Clients Say

handled my case swiftly and professionally
Michael Leader really came through for me in my time of need. He handled my case swiftly and professionally. His staff was courteous and very helpful. They answered all my questions right away. I would not hesitate to use his services and expertise in the future!
They help the little guy and bring justice
They help the little guy and bring justice
I cannot say enough good things about this team
Michael Leader and Anita were not only amazing but kind. I cannot say enough good things about this team. I not only won my case but their kindness was unbelievable. Michael is an unbelievable lawyer and I would recommend him to everyone.
More Clients Review
/01
Hurricane Insurance Claims
/02
Hurricane Irma Insurance Claims
/03
Storm Damage Defense
/04
Water Damage