Filing a homeowners insurance claim in Florida can be challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with the process. There are several challenges that homeowners in Florida face when filing a claim, including:
- Understanding your policy: The first challenge is understanding your homeowners insurance policy. This can be a complex document, and it’s important to understand what is and isn’t covered.
- Gathering documentation: Another challenge is gathering the necessary documentation to support your claim. This includes receipts, photographs, and contractor estimates.
- Dealing with the insurance company: The insurance company will send their own adjuster to your home to assess the damage. This can be a challenging process, as the insurance company’s adjuster may miss damage or worse.
- Negotiating with the insurance company: Once the adjuster has completed their assessment, you’ll need to negotiate with the insurance company to reach a settlement. This can be a complex and time-consuming process.
Let’s dig in.
Insurance Claim Challenge 1: Understanding your Property Insurance Policy
Your homeowners insurance policy is a legal contract between you and your insurance company. It’s important to understand what is and isn’t covered under your policy, so that you know what to expect when you file a claim. You’ll need to understand:
- The types of losses that are covered
- The limits of your coverage
- The deductibles that apply
- The process for filing a claim
If you’re not sure what’s covered under your policy, you can contact your insurance company or an insurance agent. They can help you understand your policy and answer any questions you have. If you have property damage and want to know if it’s covered or want someone on your side to help with the process, call us. We are experts at insurance policy interpretation.
Insurance Claim Challenge 2: Gathering Documentation to File an Insurance Claim
When you file a homeowners insurance claim, you’ll need to provide documentation to support your claim. This documentation includes paperwork such as:
- Receipts for damaged property
- Photographs of the damage
- Contractor estimates
The more documentation you can provide, the stronger your claim will be. You can still file a claim if you don’t have all the documentation you need, but it may take longer to process. However, be sure to prioritize taking photos of the damage as soon as it occurs as well as saving any pieces of damaged property materials. For example, you may have shingles or siding fall from your home due to high winds. Save them until your claim is complete because damaged materials may be important evidence in your claim. Read our article about how Core Public Adjusters can help you file insurance claims.
Insurance Claim Challenge 3: Dealing with the Insurance Company
The insurance company will send an adjuster to your home to assess the damage. The adjuster will determine the cause of the damage, the extent of the damage, and the cost of repairs.
Your insurance company may miss damage, lowball your claim, or unfairly deny it. This means that they may offer you less money than you’re entitled to or even give you nothing for your damage. If this happens, you don’t have to accept the adjuster’s decision. CORE Public Adjusters can help you negotiate with the adjuster to get a higher settlement and what you deserve. Read our article on how much more a public adjuster could get you for your damaged property.
Insurance Claim Challenge 4: Negotiating with the Insurance Company
Negotiating with an insurance company can be a challenging process. The insurance company will have their own agenda, and they may not be willing to give you what you’re entitled to. Read our article on the top five problems you may encounter with your insurance company.
If you’re not comfortable negotiating with the insurance company, you can hire CORE Public Adjusters. We are insurance claim professionals who can help you file your claim and get the most out of it. We have extensive experience working with insurance companies and know how to negotiate on your behalf. Read our article on why Core Public adjusters should be your choice.
Challenges to Filing an Insurance Claim: The Wrap-Up
Filing a homeowners insurance claim in Florida can be a challenging process, but it’s important to know your rights and to be prepared. If you’re facing a homeowners insurance claim, contact CORE Public Adjusters and we’ll fight to get you what you deserve to properly fix your property damage. We will help you understand your policy, gather the necessary documentation, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
If you’re facing a homeowners insurance claim in Florida, contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your rights and options, and we’ll fight for you to get the most out of your claim.
