Property Insurance Claim Lawyers

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.

What Types of Residential Property Insurance Claims Does Williams Law Association Handle?

Williams Law Association, P.A., represents Florida homeowners in all types of property insurance disputes. Our experience spans nearly three decades of handling residential insurance claims involving various types of property damage, coverage disputes, and insurance company bad faith practices throughout Florida.

Hurricane and Windstorm Damage Claims

Hurricane damage claims represent the most common type of residential property insurance dispute in Florida. Williams Law Association, P.A. has represented hundreds of homeowners following every major hurricane that has struck Florida since 1995, including the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, the 2004 hurricane season, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Ian, and Hurricane Idalia. We understand how insurance companies attempt to minimize hurricane damage claims by disputing causation, attributing damage to excluded perils, or claiming that damage resulted from maintenance issues rather than the covered storm event.

Florida hurricane claims frequently involve complex causation disputes where insurance companies argue that water damage resulted from flooding rather than wind-driven rain, or that structural damage existed before the hurricane. Our attorneys work with meteorologists, structural engineers, and forensic experts who can definitively establish that covered windstorm perils caused your property damage, eliminating the insurance company’s basis for denial or underpayment.

Water Damage and Plumbing System Failures

Water damage claims involving burst pipes, plumbing failures, appliance malfunctions, and HVAC system leaks constitute another significant category of residential insurance disputes we handle. Insurance companies routinely deny water damage claims, alleging the damage resulted from gradual deterioration, lack of maintenance, or excluded causes, rather than from sudden and accidental water discharge covered under the policy.

We represent homeowners in water damage disputes involving cast-iron pipe failures, polybutylene plumbing systems, water heater malfunctions, washing machine supply line failures, and roof leaks that cause water intrusion. We work with plumbing experts and water damage restoration specialists who can document the acute nature of water damage and trace the loss to covered causes under your homeowners’ insurance policy.

Fire and Smoke Damage Claims

Fire damage claims should be straightforward, as fires are clearly covered perils under homeowners’ insurance policies. However, insurance companies frequently undervalue fire damage claims by disputing the extent of smoke damage, the necessity of complete structural repairs, or the replacement cost of destroyed personal property. Williams Law Association, P.A. handles fire damage claims ranging from kitchen fires to total losses, working with fire investigators, restoration contractors, and contents valuation experts to document the full scope of covered losses.

Roof Damage Claims

Roof damage claims generate significant disputes between Florida homeowners and their insurance companies. Whether roof damage results from hurricane winds, fallen trees, hail, or other covered perils, insurance companies frequently minimize roof damage claims by arguing that aging, wear and tear, or poor maintenance caused the need for repairs rather than the specific weather event that triggered your claim.

Recent Florida legislation has complicated roof damage claims by allowing insurers to use actual cash value rather than replacement cost value for roofs older than specified age thresholds. Williams Law Association, P.A. helps homeowners navigate these complex valuation issues while establishing that covered perils caused or substantially contributed to roof damage, triggering the insurer’s obligation to provide appropriate compensation under your specific policy provisions.

Sinkhole and Foundation Damage Claims

Sinkhole activity and foundation-damage claims require sophisticated geological and structural engineering analyses. Florida homeowners’ insurance policies must cover catastrophic ground cover collapse, while sinkhole coverage itself has become optional following legislative changes. This creates complex coverage questions when foundation damage or structural settling occurs.

Williams Law Association, P.A., works with independent geological experts and structural engineers who conduct thorough subsurface investigations and provide credible evidence of sinkhole activity or covered ground movement. Insurance companies aggressively dispute sinkhole claims by hiring engineers who minimize damage findings or attribute structural issues to non-covered causes, making experienced legal representation essential to securing fair compensation.

Additional Living Expenses Claims

When covered property damage makes your home uninhabitable, your Florida homeowners insurance policy typically includes Additional Living Expenses coverage that pays for temporary housing, increased food costs, and other expenses you incur while your home undergoes repairs. Insurance companies frequently dispute ALE claims by imposing unreasonably short time limits, questioning the necessity of certain temporary living expenses, or arguing that repairs should proceed faster than reasonably possible.

Williams Law Association, P.A., enforces policyholders’ rights to reasonable ALE coverage that actually compensates for displacement costs until your property can be safely reoccupied. We challenge insurance company attempts to terminate ALE benefits prematurely or refuse coverage for legitimate temporary living expenses incurred during the repair process.

Why Do Florida Homeowners Insurance Claims Get Denied, Delayed, or Underpaid?

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that maximize earnings by minimizing claim payouts. Understanding the tactics insurance companies use to reduce residential property damage claims helps homeowners determine when to seek legal representation to protect their rights and recover fair compensation.

Mischaracterizing Covered Damage as Wear and Tear

Insurance companies frequently deny Florida property damage claims by arguing that damage resulted from wear and tear, deterioration, or lack of maintenance rather than from covered perils. This tactic is common in hurricane damage claims, where insurers allege that roof damage, structural issues, or water intrusion predated the storm, despite clear evidence that the hurricane caused the damage.

Issuing Lowball Settlement Offers

Insurance adjusters routinely make initial settlement offers that bear no reasonable relationship to actual repair costs. These lowball offers represent the minimum amount the insurance company hopes you will accept without obtaining independent damage assessments or consulting legal counsel. Many Florida homeowners, unaware of their actual damages or unwilling to fight their insurance company, accept inadequate settlements and end up paying thousands of dollars out of pocket to complete necessary repairs.

Williams Law Association, P.A., obtains independent repair estimates from licensed contractors and works with public adjusters who document the complete scope of covered damages. This evidence demonstrates that insurance company settlement offers are unreasonably low and do not cover the necessary repairs.

Requesting Unreasonable Documentation to Delay Claims

Insurance companies delay Florida property damage claims by making repeated requests for documentation, much of which is unnecessary, redundant, or impossible to obtain. These delay tactics create financial pressure, driving homeowners to accept reduced settlements to resolve their claims and begin repairs.

Florida Statutes Section 627.70131 establishes specific time limits for insurance companies to acknowledge, investigate, and pay property claims. Our expert Florida residential insurance claim lawyers document all communications with insurers and delays to hold insurers accountable for statutory claim-handling timelines and to pursue bad-faith claims when insurers violate their prompt-payment obligations.

Disputing the Scope of Covered Damages

Even when insurance companies acknowledge that covered perils caused property damage, they frequently dispute the scope of necessary repairs. Adjusters may refuse to include certain damaged items in the settlement, argue that partial repairs suffice when complete replacement is required, or undervalue the cost of proper restoration.

Williams Law Association, P.A. challenges these scope-of-loss disputes by working with contractors, engineers, and other experts to document the full extent of covered damages and establish appropriate repair methodologies. We ensure that insurance companies pay for repairs that properly restore your property’s function and value rather than inadequate patchwork that leaves damage unresolved.

What Is Insurance Bad Faith in Florida Residential Property Claims?

Florida law imposes a duty of good faith and fair dealing on insurance companies handling residential property damage claims. When insurers violate this duty by unreasonably denying, delaying, or undervaluing legitimate claims, homeowners may pursue bad faith claims under Florida Statutes Section 624.155 that can result in damages beyond the original policy benefits.

Common Examples of Bad Faith in Florida Property Insurance Claims

Insurance bad faith occurs when companies deny claims without conducting adequate investigation, misrepresent policy provisions to justify denials, fail to promptly pay undisputed portions of claims, or offer settlements bearing no reasonable relationship to actual damages. Insurance companies also commit bad faith when they fail to communicate with policyholders, refuse to explain the basis for denials, or condition payment on unreasonable requirements.

Our expert Florida residential insurance claim lawyers document all communications with insurance companies, delays, and claim-handling practices to establish bad faith when insurers violate their obligations. Florida’s prompt payment statute establishes specific deadlines that, when violated, can support bad-faith claims and expose insurers to damages beyond policy limits, including attorneys’ fees, interest, penalties, and consequential damages.

Remedies Available in Florida Bad Faith Cases

Successful bad faith claims against Florida property insurers can result in recovery of attorney’s fees, prejudgment interest at the statutory rate, consequential damages caused by the insurance company’s misconduct, and, in cases involving particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages designed to punish the insurer and deter future bad faith practices. These remedies provide essential protection for homeowners whose insurance companies unreasonably refuse to honor their policy obligations.

Proving bad faith requires specific evidence and sophisticated legal expertise in Florida insurance law. Williams Law Association, P.A.’s nearly 30 years of experience litigating against Florida property insurers gives us deep knowledge of how to document bad faith conduct and pursue all available remedies when insurance companies violate their duty of good faith and fair dealing.

Why Choose Williams Law Association, P.A. for Florida Residential Property Insurance Claims?

Williams Law Association, P.A. has represented Florida homeowners in property insurance disputes since 1995, recovering over $300 million for clients whose insurance companies initially denied, delayed, or drastically undervalued legitimate claims. Our Tampa-based firm focuses on insurance claims and personal injury cases, providing specialized expertise in the complex intersection of Florida property insurance law, policy interpretation, and claims-handling practices.

Nearly 30 Years of Florida Property Insurance Experience

The nearly three decades since our founding in Tampa in 1995 have encompassed dramatic changes in Florida’s property insurance market. We have represented homeowners through countless hurricanes, evolving insurance markets, multiple legislative reforms, and every challenge Florida’s unique property insurance landscape presents. This continuity of experience provides perspective and expertise that newer firms cannot match.

Our experience includes representing Florida homeowners following every major hurricane since Hurricane Andrew, litigating under multiple iterations of Florida’s insurance statutes, and adapting to significant changes in how insurance companies handle residential property claims. This depth of Florida-specific experience enables us to anticipate insurers’ tactics, counter bad-faith practices, and build compelling cases that maximize recovery.

Over $300 Million Recovered for Florida Homeowners

The more than $300 million Williams Law Association, P.A. has recovered for clients represents thousands of individual claims against insurance companies that initially refused to pay fair value. These were not simple claims that insurance companies readily paid. They were disputed, denied, and undervalued, requiring legal intervention to achieve fair outcomes. Each of these recoveries demonstrates our commitment to securing maximum compensation, despite resistance from insurance companies.

Expanded Capabilities Through Premier Property Law Acquisition

Williams Law Association, P.A.’s acquisition of Premier Property Law, PLLC, in late 2025 brought together two firms with complementary strengths and shared dedication to property insurance policyholder advocacy. This combination expanded our geographic reach throughout Florida, deepened our bench of experienced attorneys, and further strengthened our relationships with top property damage experts. Our clients benefit from these expanded capabilities while still receiving the personalized attention that has defined our practice for nearly 30 years.

Established Relationships with Florida’s Best Property Damage Experts

Relationships matter in property damage litigation. Over three decades, Williams Law Association, P.A. has built working relationships with Florida’s best structural engineers, roofing contractors, public adjusters, meteorologists, plumbing experts, water damage restoration specialists, and fire investigators. These experts know our reputation for thorough case preparation and effective advocacy, and they provide high-quality analysis and testimony that convince insurance companies and juries that our clients deserve full compensation.

Expert testimony often determines the outcome of disputed property insurance claims. Having established relationships with the most credible and qualified experts in every discipline relevant to property damage assessment gives our expert Florida insurance claim lawyers a significant advantage in building compelling cases that overcome insurance company defenses and maximize client recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Residential Property Insurance Claims

How Long Do I Have to File a Property Insurance Claim in Florida?

Florida homeowners’ insurance policies require you to provide notice to your insurance company “as soon as practicable” after discovering property damage. While most policies do not specify an exact deadline for initial notice, unreasonable delays can jeopardize coverage. Recent legislative changes have shortened the statute of limitations for filing property-damage lawsuits to two years from the date of loss in most cases. However, some claims may have different deadlines depending on specific policy provisions and the type of damage.

Given these strict time limits, consulting Williams Law Association, P.A. promptly after property damage occurs protects your rights. We help homeowners understand applicable deadlines, ensure proper notice is provided to insurers, and pursue claims within all statutory limitation periods.

Can Florida Insurance Companies Deny Claims Because My Roof Is Old?

Recent Florida legislation allows insurance companies to use actual cash value rather than replacement cost value when settling roof damage claims if your roof exceeds certain age thresholds or shows significant wear. However, insurance companies cannot simply deny coverage because your roof is old. If a covered peril, such as a hurricane, damages your roof, you remain 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 Florida insurance companies improperly deny claims or undervalue losses by misapplying roof-age provisions. Our expert Florida insurance claim lawyers challenge these improper claim denials and advocate for fair compensation that recognizes the full extent of covered hurricane or windstorm damage to your roof.

What Should I Do If My Insurance Settlement 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 Florida insurance company’s offer seems low, obtain independent repair estimates from licensed contractors and consult Williams Law Association, P.A. to evaluate whether the offer represents fair compensation under your homeowner’s insurance policy.

Insurance companies regularly make lowball settlement offers, hoping homeowners will accept without realizing they are entitled to more. Our expert Florida residential insurance claim lawyers obtain independent damage assessments documenting actual repair costs and negotiate with insurance companies to secure settlements that cover the necessary restoration work.

What Is Insurance Bad Faith in Florida Property Claims?

Insurance bad faith occurs when your Florida insurance company violates its duty to handle your property damage claim fairly and honestly. This can include denying legitimate claims without proper investigation, misrepresenting policy coverage, unreasonably delaying claim processing, or offering settlements bearing no reasonable relationship to actual damages. Florida law provides remedies for bad faith that may include attorneys’ fees, interest, consequential damages, and, in cases involving particularly egregious insurer conduct, punitive damages.

Proving bad faith requires specific evidence and sophisticated legal expertise in Florida insurance law. Williams Law Association, P.A., carefully documents all insurance company communications and delays to establish bad faith when insurers violate their obligations, and we pursue all available remedies, including damages beyond original policy benefits.

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 should not deter you from filing legitimate claims for significant property damage. You purchase homeowners’ insurance specifically to protect against substantial 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.

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Florida Property Insurance Claim?

While Florida law does not require legal representation for property insurance claims, homeowners with attorney representation recover significantly more than those who negotiate directly with insurance companies. Attorneys understand policy coverage, know how to document damages effectively, have relationships with expert witnesses, and can recognize and counter insurance company tactics designed to minimize payments.

For significant property damage claims, legal representation typically results in a net recovery far exceeding the attorney’s contingency fee. Williams Law Association, P.A. offers free consultations to evaluate your claim and explain your legal options without financial risk. We handle residential property insurance cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Contact Williams Law Association for Your Florida Property Insurance Claim

If your Florida homeowner’s insurance claim has been denied, delayed, or underpaid, contact Williams Law Association immediately to protect your rights and maximize your recovery. Our Tampa-based attorneys have nearly 30 years of experience holding Florida insurance companies accountable and have recovered over $300 million for property owners facing the same challenges you are confronting.

Call Williams Law Association, P.A. at 1-800-451-6786 or reach our Tampa office at (813) 288-4999 for a free case review. We will evaluate your property damage claim, explain what your homeowner’s insurance policy requires your insurer to pay, and outline how we can help you recover full compensation for your covered losses.