When a company you have a contract with such as a homeowners insurance company behaves unethically, withholds information, or reduces the amount of compensation you are entitled to, they are acting in bad faith. Insurance companies have a legal obligation to pay the insured for claims reported and if they don’t, they should be held […]
It’s difficult to provide an average for a typical bad faith settlement amount because every case is unique. It’s best to consult with a lawyer who can provide a personalized figure.
While it’s possible to dispute a claim denial independently, leveraging the experience of an attorney will increase the chances of a successful resolution.
The specific circumstances of your case and the cooperation of the insurance company will determine how long resolving your dispute will take. Therefore, it’s important to act swiftly and follow up with the appeal keenly to expedite the process.
After the fire is entirely extinguished and you contact your insurance company to report the damage, you may take several steps to secure your property from further damage or theft: Use tarps to cover openings, particularly on the roof. Board up broken windows or doors with plywood. If you cannot live in the home, temporarily […]
Unless your policy states otherwise, you don’t have to rebuild in the same place. However, the payouts may differ according to replacement costs vs. depreciated value. If you choose not to rebuild, you are still responsible for paying the remainder of your mortgage.
Most insurance companies will cover at least some of the costs to remove debris, but many impose limits. Some carriers consider debris removal an endorsement or additional coverage. Check with your insurer to see how much they will pay.
Yes, you can hire a fire damage public adjuster to conduct an independent assessment. However, public adjusters for house fires aren’t as equipped for a legal battle as a fire damage attorney would be when you need to file a lawsuit against your insurer.
Try not to undervalue the worth of your belongings, as downplaying your damages can be what the adjuster uses to justify a lowball offer. However, avoid being dishonest and overinflating the amount. Don’t admit fault for the fire to the insurance adjuster either.
You should avoid being combative over the insurance adjuster’s offer for your fire loss claim. Instead, you can hire a property damage attorney who may get a second opinion through an independent adjuster’s evaluation.