Property Damage Attorneys in Hollywood, FL

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Levy & Partners and Property Damage

Is your insurance claim being denied for reasons you do not understand? Have you been told you do not have coverage for a claim in which you thought you were covered for? Are you being told you should settle your claim for far less than it is worth, putting an unfair burden on you for repairs or replacement and other expenses?

If you are engaged in any such dispute with your homeowners or business insurance carrier, don’t fight that battle on your own. The insurance attorneys at Levy & Partners have substantial insurance litigation experience and are ready to protect and enforce your rights against the insurance company. represent clients who have suffered damage to their home resulting from hurricanes, floods, fires, smoke, water damage, vandalism, and burglary.

We also represent businesses and commercial property owners in property damage claims and business interruption claims. An attorney with experience in property insurance litigation is an invaluable tool to obtain a maximum settlement.

What can Levy & Partners do for you?

Levy & Partners has the experience and experts needed to handle claims. Our Firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of the homeowner and business to receive their insurance benefits from the time the loss occurs through the litigation process. In all of these cases, time is of the essence, so acting quickly to file the claim with proper documentation is critical.  To learn more about representation by Levy & Partners in the event of an insurance claim, please contact us today.

We negotiate and fight against the insurance company to obtain the fair compensation property owners are entitled to under the terms of their policies, including the reimbursement for destroyed possessions and living expenses such as hotel or relocation expenses while the property is uninhabitable due to required repairs.

Vandalism & Burglary

Theft is the act of stealing – the wrongful taking of your personal goods and property to another location. Vandalism is deliberate mischievous or malicious destruction or damage to your goods and property.

A burglary or home invasion results in difficult and stressful feelings for homeowners and renters, regardless of what was taken or damaged. First, we will listen to you describe what happened with your claim. Next, we will ask you to send us all relevant documentation, including the insurance policy and copies of your correspondence with the insurance company. We will review the documents, investigate your case, and consult with our team of insurance experts, to determine the full value of your claim. We will fight for you in court, to obtain the money that you deserve from the insurance company to which you have dutifully paid your insurance premiums.

That is why it is critical to have an experienced and knowledgeable attorney fighting for your rights, and we’re here to help keep insurance companies accountable, and give you the opportunity to get your life back on track.

Levy & Partners are extremely good at what they do. I recommend them to anyone who will listen.

Kate S.

Homeowner

Fire Damage

At Levy & Partners, our attorneys understand that the aftermath of a fire can be a stressful experience, especially when a valid insurance claim is denied or underpaid. After paying costly insurance premiums, homeowners expect that claims submitted for compensation will be honored. In some cases, this expectation has proven to be too high, as we have witnessed insurance companies habitually deny or underpay valid claims without explanation.

Our fire damage insurance claim dispute attorneys have years of experience dealing with insurance companies and understand the tactics they may employ to avoid payment. Our attorneys are committed to helping homeowners recover the compensation to which they are entitled.

If your fire insurance company has been denied or underpaid, we’re here to help keep insurance companies accountable, and give you the opportunity to get your life back on track.

How can an Insurance Dispute Attorney Help me?

    If you file a claim which is not denied initially, your insurance company will likely launch an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, the extent of the damage, and the value of the claim. Some companies have a history of blaming homeowners for the loss of the home and may go to great lengths to hire special investigators to find reasons to justify that blame.

    Our insurance dispute attorneys have access to resources which allow us to perform separate assessments, which can be used in negotiations and settlements with the insurance company, should a dispute arise. We can work with experts to determine the cause of the fire, estimate the value of assets lost in the fire, uncover the extent of damage to the home that may be overlooked by the insurer, and estimate the value of your claim.

    Is the Damage Covered by my Insurance?

    The language in your policy will determine the damages that will be covered in the event of a fire. Some policies may cover damage only inflicted by the fire itself, while others will cover problems stemming from the fire including smoke and water damage. Structural damage, wind damage, melted personal property, roof damage, and plumbing and electrical damage may also be covered.

    Why was my Fire Insurance Claim Denied?

    As a for-profit entity, it is in the insurance company’s best interest to avoid payouts to policyholders; however, they must have a justifiable reason for denying a claim. Many states, including Florida, have adopted the Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Act (UCSPA), which aims to protect policy holders from wrongful or deceitful actions of their insurers. Some common forms of unfair claims handling include:

    • Undervaluing damaged property;
    • Allegations of arson;
    • Failure to investigate in a timely manner;
    • Denial of a total loss claim despite supporting evidence;
    • Threats of prosecution to the insured in an attempt to lower the payout;
    • A clear violation of the terms of the insurance policy.
    • Insurance companies may delay the valuation or payment of a claim alleging that fraud or arson played a role in the fire. Obviously, if arson was the cause of the fire—and that you played a role—your damages will not be covered and we would not represent you. However, it is important to know that the burden of proof is on the insurance company, and not on the homeowner. Without direct or circumstantial evidence, an insurance company that denies these claims may be acting in bad faith.

    If you believe your insurance company has wrongfully denied or undervalued your claim, our firm may be able to help you take the next step.

    Plumbing Leaks

    Whether the damage was caused by a pipe burst or leak, appliance leak, water entering through windows or roofs, repairing your home can be costly and there is nothing insignificant about water damage. It can compromise the market value of your home and even put the health and safety of your family at risk by inciting mold and mildew growth.

    Your home or business can sustain water damage from a variety of sudden and accidental occurrences. Most people do not realize that the typical homeowners and commercial lines insurance policies provide coverage for these disastrous events and require the insurance company to restore your home or business to its pre-loss condition. Unfortunately, in our experience, insurance companies will typically assign adjusters who improperly adjust and underpay your insurance claim or wrongfully deny your claim altogether. For example, it is common for an insurance company to only pay for the repair to one roof shingle/tile, floor tile or a single kitchen cabinet when the policy actually requires replacement of the entire roof, floor or kitchen cabinets.

    If you have a water damage insurance claim that was wrongfully denied or underpaid by your insurance company, or you need assistance with the filing of your water damage insurance claim, call us today.

     

    Hurricane Claims

    Hurricanes are one of the most destructive forces in nature, with the ability to destroy homes and entire communities in just a few hours. This sudden loss of your property and the emotional toll it can take is devastating, but having a homeowners insurance policy that covers hurricane and tropical storm damage should offer you some piece of mind. However, that may not be the case.

    The insurance company may undervalue your damages and  find a way to pay you as little as possible, or avoid paying altogether for the damages sustained to your property.

    We will investigate your case and consult with our team of insurance experts to determine the full value of your claim. We will fight for you both in and out of court, to obtain the insurance benefits that you are owed from your insurance company.

    Our representation may begin with calling the insurance company on your behalf to report your claim and attending the insurance company’s inspection of your home. We will make every attempt to reach a favorable resolution for you. If this cannot be obtained, we can file a lawsuit to recover the insurance benefits owed to you. We can handle your insurance claim from beginning to end.

    It is critical to have an experienced and knowledgeable attorney fighting for your rights.

    We’re here to help keep insurance companies accountable and give you the opportunity to get your life back on track.

    Steps to Take After a Hurricane

    Unfortunately, even the best attempts to protect one’s property will likely end with some kind of damage in the event of a hurricane. If your home or business is damaged in the storm, you will want make sure you take the following steps to ensure your insurance claim is handled promptly in a fair manner.

    Cover Up Your Damaged Property It’s important that if your property sustains any damage, that you cover it up with a tarp or something similar to prevent water intrusion or any other further damage. Remember, the insurance company will take any reason it can to avoid paying you, and if they claim your damaged property became more damaged after the storm they may blame you for the damage and deny your claim.

    Document Everything It is recommended that you start outside and get your entire house in each shot — all four sides and as much of the roof as you can. Make sure to take photos of your entire yard, also. Start by taking wide shots of the yard, then move in closer to take shots with more detail. Then, head inside and start taking photos there. Start by taking photos of entire rooms, then move on to taking photos of individual items. A complete photographic record is important to prove your losses if you need to file a claim. As you take your photographs, make an inventory of damaged property. This will also help with your claim.

    File Your Insurance Claim Promptly Insurance policies typically require you to act fast after storm damage. This is why it’s paramount that you take your photographs, write your inventory, and file your claim as quickly as you can.

    What Does my Insurance Cover?

    In Florida a general homeowners policy will cover wind damage, meaning if your roof or siding is ruined by the wind, the damage will be covered.

    Further, roof damage caused by a storm can lead to other ensuing damage to your home that is covered under most homeowners insurance policies. When a storm dislodges and damages roof shingles or roof tiles, it creates an opening allowing water to leak into your house, thereby causing water damages to the interior of your home including your drywall, cabinetry, electrical system, flooring, appliances, counter-tops and personal items. All of the above, and more, are most likely covered by your insurance policy. Moreover, if the damaged roof shingles or tiles are discontinued and cannot be matched, you may be entitled to a new roof.

    Your insurance policy will also cover structures outside your home like sheds or fences. It will also cover your rental or hotel expenses should your home become uninhabitable as a result of the hurricane. If you have personal property damage, such as clothes, furniture, and household goods, your policy will cover this, too. Your policy also provides a certain amount of coverage for debris removal and for temporary measures taken to protect your property from further damage, such as tarping your roof or temporarily repairing a roof leak. Of course, every policy is different and an experienced attorney can explain what your policy does and does not cover.

    Keep in mind that there is a special deductible for hurricane damage in Florida, which is set at a fixed percentage based on the amount of the entire policy, and must be met before the insurance issues payment.

     

    Mold Claims

    Mold damage to your home is devastating. Regardless of whether you’ve found contained mold damage in one room or a complete mold outbreak on your property, material possessions and/or inventory throughout your property, you deserve full compensation for all mold losses covered by your insurance policy.

    If you’ve recently discovered mold damage in your home or business you probably already know that mold will grow anywhere that the conditions allow it to. The only thing mold needs in order to grow is a food source and some moisture. The moisture can come from leaking pipes or appliances, roof or wall damage, badly maintained air conditioners, drainage problems or high humidity levels. Mold can find its food source from carpets, curtains, wall coverings, mattresses or even home insulation.

    Mold can spread unnoticed for a long time, leading to serious health consequences. Chronic coughs, headaches and migraines, sinus problems, frequent sneezing and watery, itchy eyes are all symptoms caused by the presence of mold. Some people are much more sensitive to mold than others and may suffer severe – and in some cases life-threatening, allergies or respiratory diseases.

    Left untreated, mold may cause structural damage to your home and unfortunately, many insurers deny these kinds of claims. Severe cases of mold infestation will make it nearly impossible to insure or sell your home so mold should be eradicated as soon as it is spotted. Most mold growth is caused by conditions beyond your control so you may have a claim for your insurance company.

    If you are dealing with mold in your home and your insurance company has wrongfully denied or undervalued your mold damage claim,then contact us to help you fight for your claim.

    Is your insurance company acting in your best interests?

    Carefully consider your insurance company’s offer. Insurance companies will almost always try to settle for less than you deserve and they do not always contemplate the hidden effects of Mold Damage to your home when they consider your compensation package. If you feel the offer is well below what your property and possessions are worth, or if your insurance company is denying your Mold Damage claim altogether, then you should call Levy & Partners. We will investigate your case, and consult with our team of insurance experts, to determine the full value of your claim. We will fight for you in court, to obtain the money that you deserve from the insurance company to which you have dutifully paid your insurance premiums.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What types of property damage can I sue for?

    Property damage claims can involve damage caused by natural disasters, fires, floods, vandalism, or accidents. If your property was harmed due to someone else’s negligence or intentional actions, you may have a case for compensation.

    How do I know if I need a property damage attorney?

    If you’re dealing with significant damage to your home, business, or other property, and the responsible party or their insurance company is unwilling to cover the costs, hiring an attorney can help protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.

    Can I file a claim if the damage was caused by a natural disaster?

    Yes, if you have an insurance policy covering natural disasters, you can file a claim. However, disputes with insurance companies over coverage or compensation amounts often arise, and an attorney can assist in ensuring you receive a fair payout.

    How long do I have to file a property damage lawsuit?

    The time limit, known as the statute of limitations, varies by state. In many states, you may have two to three years from the date of the damage to file a lawsuit. It’s important to consult with an attorney early to avoid missing deadlines.

    What compensation can I receive for property damage?

    Compensation can cover repair or replacement costs for the damaged property, temporary relocation expenses, lost business income (if applicable), and any other financial losses directly related to the damage.

    What should I do if my insurance company denies my property damage claim?

    If your insurance company denies your claim or offers less than what you believe you are entitled to, you can dispute their decision. A property damage attorney can help you negotiate with the insurer or file a lawsuit if necessary.

    Can I sue a neighbor or contractor for causing damage to my property?

    Yes, if a neighbor or contractor’s actions led to property damage (such as a faulty construction project or trespassing), you may have grounds to sue for damages. An attorney can help you determine if negligence or breach of contract is involved.

    How long does it take to resolve a property damage case?

    The timeline for resolving property damage cases varies depending on the complexity of the case and whether it’s settled out of court or goes to trial. Simple cases may settle within months, while more complicated ones could take a year or longer.

    What evidence is needed to support a property damage claim?

    Key evidence includes photos of the damage, repair estimates, receipts for repairs or temporary relocation costs, insurance policy details, and expert testimony (if needed). Your attorney will guide you in gathering the necessary documentation.

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