Florida Residential Insurance Claims

Florida Residential Property Insurance Claim Lawyers

Tampa-Based Law Firm | Over $300 Million Recovered | Representing Florida Homeowners Since 1995

Your insurance company just denied your claim or sent you a check that won’t even cover half the damage to your home. You’ve paid premiums for years, and now, when you need them most, they’re treating you like a fraud. You’re not imagining it. This is precisely what Florida insurance companies do, and it’s why we’ve recovered over $300 million for homeowners just like you since 1995.

Your claim isn’t closed until you say it’s closed. Call Williams Law Association, P.A. at 1-800-451-6786 right now for a free case review. We’ll tell you exactly what your claim is really worth and how we’ll get it for you.

Why Insurance Companies Deny, Delay, or Underpay Florida Property Claims

Insurance companies profit by reducing claim payouts, and many insurers use strategic practices that hurt policyholders, including:

Mislabeling Damage as Wear and Tear or Maintenance: Insurers often claim loss is excluded because of “pre-existing wear and tear,” even when storm damage is the real cause.
Issuing Lowball Repair Estimates: Adjusters may undervalue necessary repairs to minimize what the insurer pays.

Requesting Unreasonable or Redundant Documentation: Companies delay claims by over-requesting documents or failing to respond within statutory timelines.
Scope of Loss Disputes: Insurers may refuse to include certain damage items in the settlement even when they are clearly covered.

These tactics can violate Florida’s prompt payment statute (Florida Statutes § 627.70131) and, in many cases, support a bad faith insurance claim under § 624.155.

Types of Florida Property Insurance Claims We Represent

We represent a variety of insurance claim types, including:

Why Do Florida Home Insurance Claims Require Legal Representation?

Florida property insurance disputes involve complex legal, engineering, and coverage issues that even experienced attorneys in other practice areas find challenging. Our firm focuses specifically on insurance claims against carriers operating in Florida. We know the policy language these companies use, we understand the tactics their adjusters employ, and we’ve litigated against every major insurer doing business in this state.

When you try handling your claim yourself, insurance companies see an opportunity. They’ll delay, demand irrelevant documentation, use technical jargon to confuse you, and make lowball offers, counting on you not knowing what your policy actually requires them to pay. The real question isn’t whether you need an attorney. It’s whether you can afford to keep fighting your insurance company alone while they use every advantage they have to avoid paying your claim.

How Does Williams Law Association, P.A. Help Florida Property Owners?

Our attorneys guide clients through every step of the claims process:

Policy Review and Coverage Analysis: We interpret your insurance contract to identify all applicable coverages and any misinterpretations by the insurer.
Damage Documentation and Evidence: We gather evidence and coordinate with public adjusters, engineers, and contractors to properly document all covered losses.
Strategic Claims Negotiation: We negotiate with insurance companies to maximize claim payouts for structural repairs, interior restoration, debris removal, additional living expenses, ordinance and law coverage, and code upgrades.
Litigation and Trial Preparedness: When insurers refuse to pay fairly, we file lawsuits to enforce your rights.

Why Choose Williams Law Association, P.A. for Your Florida Property Insurance Claim?

When your home suffers damage, and you file an insurance claim, you expect your insurance company to act in good faith and pay what you’re owed. Unfortunately, insurers often delay, deny, or underpay claims, leaving homeowners struggling to recover their losses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Property Damage Claims

How long do I have to file a property damage claim in Florida?

Florida law requires you to provide notice to your insurance company “as soon as practicable” after discovering property damage. While policies typically don’t specify an exact deadline for initial notice, unreasonable delays can jeopardize coverage. However, recent legislative changes have shortened the statute of limitations for filing lawsuits related to property damage claims. You now have two years from the date of loss for most property damage claims, though some claims may have different deadlines depending on your specific policy and the nature of the damage. Given these strict time limits, consulting an attorney promptly after property damage occurs is essential to protecting your rights.

Can insurance companies deny claims for older roofs in Florida?

Recent Florida legislation allows insurance companies to use actual cash value rather than replacement cost value when settling roof claims if your roof exceeds a certain age or shows significant wear. However, insurance companies cannot simply deny coverage because your roof is old. If a covered peril like a hurricane damages your roof, you’re entitled to payment under your policy terms. However, the amount may be affected by roof age and condition, depending on your specific policy provisions. Many disputes arise when insurers inappropriately deny claims or undervalue losses by misapplying these rules.

What if my insurance company offers a settlement that won’t cover my repairs?

Never accept a settlement offer you know is inadequate to complete proper repairs. Once you receive a settlement and sign a release, you typically forfeit rights to additional payment even if you later discover the settlement was insufficient. If your insurance company’s offer seems low, obtain independent repair estimates from licensed contractors and consider consulting a property damage attorney who can evaluate whether the offer represents fair compensation under your policy. Insurance companies regularly make lowball offers, hoping policyholders will accept without realizing they’re entitled to more.

What is bad faith, and when does it apply to property damage claims?

Insurance bad faith occurs when your insurance company violates its duty to handle your claim fairly and honestly. This can include denying legitimate claims without proper investigation, misrepresenting policy coverage, unreasonably delaying claim processing, or offering settlements that bear no reasonable relationship to your actual damages. Florida law provides remedies for bad faith that may include attorneys’ fees, interest, consequential damages, and, in extreme cases, punitive damages. However, proving bad faith requires specific evidence and legal expertise, making attorney representation essential when you believe your insurer has acted in bad faith.

Will my insurance rates increase if I file a property damage claim?

Florida insurance companies can consider claim history when setting premiums, and filing claims may affect your rates at renewal. However, this shouldn’t deter you from filing legitimate claims for significant damage. You purchase insurance specifically to protect against major property losses, and using your coverage for its intended purpose is your right as a policyholder. Additionally, not all claims affect rates equally; the impact depends on factors such as claim type, frequency, and your overall history with the insurer.

Contact a Florida Home Insurance Claim Lawyer Today

You need a strong legal team if your home insurance claim has been delayed, denied, or underpaid. Williams Law Association, P.A., will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

While most people have never challenged their insurance company, we’ve handled thousands of cases for Florida property owners. Acting quickly is crucial if you need assistance in securing a fair insurance payout. The sooner you contact us, the better the evidence will be preserved and the better your chances of a successful outcome. Call us at 1-800-451-6786 or fill out our online contact form.