Commercial, Residential, Business and Investment

 

FAQ’S – Property Damage Claims

The Knecht Law Group is a property damage claims law firm with offices in Florida that focus solely on property damage claim cases. With over 70 years of combined legal, construction and property damage claim experience, the law firm of The Knecht Law Group is committed to helping you receive the highest compensation that you are entitled to under the law for your property damage claim. We service both State and Federal courts throughout the state of Florida.

If you are filing an insurance claim for property damage or other covered expenses and you are facing obstacles from your insurance company, the law firm of The Knecht Law Group can assist you. You may be concerned that you will not receive payment for all of your necessary repairs, or perhaps your claim has been denied altogether. The law firm of The Knecht Law Group handles all insurance dispute cases and can answer any questions you may have about the legal process.

Below is a listing of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S) to help clarify some common questions and concerns that individuals, business owners and condo associations have when pursuing an insurance settlement. To speak in more detail with an experienced and knowledgeable insurance litigation attorney at The Knecht Law Group regarding your case, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

What are the advantages of working with an attorney on my property damage claim versus a Public Adjuster?

The benefits of working with an experienced and knowledgeable property damage insurance litigation law firm like The Knecht Law Group far exceeds those of working with a public adjuster. First, insurance contracts are “LEGAL AGREEMENTS” between you and your insurance company. They are complicated and full of legal loop-holes designed to allow the insurance company to deny your claim and avoid paying your property damage repair costs.

Common sense alone would dictate that an attorney from an experienced insurance litigation law firm like The Knecht Law Group that is educated and trained in reading, comprehending and legally responding to the language found in your insurance policy through Florida Statutes, Rules, Regulations and Case Law, would be far better equipped to properly and effectively protect your legal rights under the insurance policy than a NON-LAWYER public adjuster.

Remember, only lawyers can give legal advice. Public adjusters are not lawyers. They cannot legally represent you like a lawyer. They cannot legally sue the insurance company or take your case to trial; which is the only way to effectively and quickly compel the insurance company to fully compensate you for your damages.

Finally, public adjusters can’t get their fees paid by the insurance company under Florida Statute 627.428 (Attorney’s Fee) like an attorney can licensed in the state of Florida; and public adjusters can’t file a “Bad Faith” claim under Florida Statute 624.155 (Civil Remedy) against your insurance company that potentially exposes them to increased compensatory damages payable to you, the insured, like an attorney can licensed in the state of Florida.

What this means to you, the insured, is this: public adjusters cannot properly represent your legal rights under the insurance contract; you need an experienced Florida insurance litigation law firm like The Knecht Law Group to effectively represent your rights and ensure that you are fully compensated for your damages. REMEMBER, only licensed attorneys can legally compel the insurance company to pay legal fees, court costs and expenses so that they are not charged against the damage compensation that you receive from your insurance company. WHEREAS, 100% OF THE PUBLIC ADJUSTERS FEE IS TAKEN OUT OF YOUR INSURANCE COMPENSATION, SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE FUNDS THAT YOU DESPERATELY NEED TO REPAIR YOUR DAMAGES.

To discuss how we can assist with your insurance claim, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free  CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

What are the advantages of working with an attorney from Knecht & Knecht, PA on my property damage claim versus an attorney that works for, or was provided by, a public adjuster? 

When you hire a law firm like The Knecht Law Group, we have a fiduciary duty to represent your interest above and beyond anyone else. Your rights are sacred to us, we work for you, and our number one goal is that we represent you at the highest level possible, with our primary objective being to ensure that you are fully compensated for the property damages that you incurred.

Now if a public adjuster either has one of their in-house attorney’s represent you or refers you to an attorney that they typically refer numerous client cases to each month, you will undoubtedly be thrust into a potential conflict of interest that completely compromises the sacred fiduciary duty and relationship between an attorney / law firm and their client. Why? Because now the attorney has multiple competing interests that they are trying to protect: 1) the relationship with their client; 2) the relationship with their employer (the public adjuster); and/or 3) the relationship with their client referral source (the public adjuster).

Now, whether the attorney directly works for the public adjuster or depends on the public adjuster for a significant source of their monthly client referrals (and income), you can’t be sure that when handling your case, the lawyer has your best interest ahead of the public adjuster’s needs. For example, if the public adjuster is pushing your (their) attorney hard to close the current book of client cases that they have referred to your attorney (to ignite an infusion of cash flow into their business), you’ll never know if the settlement that you received was actually lower than what you would have received if your case hadn’t been rushed to its conclusion due to the demands made by the public adjuster. Truth is, you won’t even know that this happened to you at all!

Therefore, we recommend that you always retain an independent and experienced insurance litigation law firm like The Knecht Law Group to professionally represent your insurance claim with the sacred integrity that a lawyer / client fiduciary relationship demands.

To discuss how we can assist with your insurance claim, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

Can you represent me if I previously hired a public adjuster to handle my property damage claim?

Yes! Remember, PUBLIC ADJUSTERS ARE NOT ATTORNEY’S, therefore there would be no conflict for an experienced insurance litigation law firm like The Knecht Law Group to represent you anytime during your claim, whether you previously hired a public adjuster or not.

To discuss how we can assist with your insurance claim, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

Can you represent me if I previously hired an attorney to handle my property damage claim, but now want a new attorney to represent me?

Yes! Remember, attorneys work for their clients, and as such, the client has a unilateral right to hire or fire their attorney at will, with or without cause. What you need to do before hiring a new insurance litigation attorney and/or law firm like Knecht & Knecht, P.A. is to send a written termination letter to your current attorney notifying them that you are terminating their services effective immediately, and ask them to forward your case file to your new attorney.

To discuss how we can assist with your insurance claim, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

How long will it take to resolve my claim with the insurance company?

The answer to this question obviously depends on the facts and coverage specific to your particular claim, whether your insurance claim involves the denial of your homeowners or commercial policy, along with the size of your claim.

As experienced and knowledgeable property damage insurance litigators, The Knecht Law Group has assisted policyholders in Florida in receiving the highest compensation that they are entitled to under the law for their property damage claims. In many cases, individuals and businesses have retained The Knecht Law Group to assist them with the initial presentation of their claim to the insurance company. We analyze the coverage available under your policy and retain qualified experts who may be needed to show coverage and damages under the policy.

While some insurance claims can be handled with the insurance company in as little as one or two months without the need of initiating litigation on behalf of our clients, experience has shown us that the policyholder must be willing to file a lawsuit against their insurance company to motivate the insurance company to fully compensate them for their damages. As is to be expected, settling your case in litigation or obtaining a final judgment from the court could take many months, but isn’t the right to be fully and fairly compensated for your property damage claim worth fighting for? We certainly think so.

At The Knecht Law Group, we never forget the effect an unpaid insurance claim has on individuals and businesses. For this reason, our firm aggressively pursues your rights under the policy from the moment we are hired to represent you against the insurance company. As with any specialized area, it is essential that you hire a lawyer with long-term experience dealing with insurance companies.

To discuss how we can assist with your insurance claim, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

How much will I have to pay to pursue my claim against the insurance company?

Most insured’s, whether a residential or commercial property owner, are unable to finance a potentially lengthy lawsuit against a large insurance company. While your insurance company has virtually unlimited resources with which to contest your valid insurance claim, we have learned firsthand that without some assistance most people simply can’t fight their insurance company alone.

The Knecht Law Group  shares these risks with their clients by working under our CONTINGENT FEE GUARANTEE: “If No Recovery, You Pay Nothing!” We front all case expenses (e.g., filing fees, expert fees, court reporter fees, etc.) throughout the entire claim process all the way through trial, if necessary. If for whatever reason we fail to collect money from your insurance company, you owe us nothing.

For additional information, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

I thought I was covered under my insurance policy, but my claim was denied, what now?

Not surprisingly, this question is one of the first questions you will seek the answer to in the event the insurance company denies your insurance claim. While there are varying insurance policies sold in the marketplace, whether homeowners or commercial, it is essential that you obtain the legal advice from an experienced and knowledgeable insurance litigation law firm like The Knecht Law Group if your claim has been denied.

In the insurance industry, it is typical practice for insurance companies to send a denial letter citing a specific exclusion or condition under your policy of insurance as the basis for their refusal to pay your insurance claim; however, this does not necessarily mean that your claim is not valid.

For example, it is not uncommon for an insurance company concerning a property damage claim to cite the common exclusion of “wear and tear” as basis for their denial of a wind or hail claim when the home or commercial property is an older structure. Often times, the insurance company’s reliance on this exclusion amounts to little more than denying coverage for almost any home which is not brand new and without flaws.Such denials very often ignore evidence of “new” damage to the property unrelated to the age of the home or building, and which can be shown to have been caused by the reported (covered) loss.

For additional information, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

What are bad faith insurance claims?

“Bad faith” refers to unreasonable or unfair conduct by an insurance company. An insurance policy is considered a contract between you (the Insured) and your insurance carrier (the Insurer). Bad faith insurance is any matter regarding an insurance claim by an Insured that is wrongfully denied by the Insurer. This contract requires that your Insurer acts in “good faith” toward you. When an Insurer unreasonably withholds the benefits of the policy from its Insured, it is considered to be in “bad faith.”

Insurance companies have a self interest to not pay claims. You should never have to represent yourself alone against an insurance company or accept an unfair settlement offer. If an insurance company refuses to pay your claim, denies payment or offers an insufficient amount, it would be wise to hire an experienced and knowledgeable insurance litigation law firm like The Knecht Law Group to legally compel the insurance company to properly and fully compensate you for your damage claim.

For additional information, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

What should I do if my property has been damaged by water?

Many people who have residential property insurance aren’t sure of how to go about filing a claim with their insurance company. When your property has been damaged by water, you should immediately:

1) stop the source of the damaging water if possible or hire a trained professional, like a plumber, to do so; then

2) contact your insurance provider as soon as possible and schedule a visit with their adjuster. You should also document all damage with video or still pictures to show the adjuster.

You should then proceed to make any temporary repairs to protect your property from any further damage, making sure to save any receipts from materials you bought to make repairs. After the insurance adjuster assesses the damage you can likely have these expenses reimbursed. However, if you believe that your insurance company is acting in bad faith by denying your claim, postponing your claim process, or inadequately compensating you for your damages, you should immediately contact the experienced and knowledgeable insurance litigation law firm of The Knecht Law Group so that we can legally compel your insurance company to fully compensate you for your damages.

For additional information, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

What should I do if my property has been damaged by mold?

Many people who have residential property insurance aren’t sure of how to go about filing a claim with their insurance company. After confirming that your property has been damaged by mold, through either a visual inspection or by obtaining a mold damage report from a mold expert, you should immediately contact your insurance provider and schedule a visit with their adjuster. You should also document all damage with video or still pictures to show the adjuster.

You should then proceed to make any temporary repairs to protect your property from any further damage, making sure to save any receipts from materials you bought to make repairs. After their adjuster assesses the damage you can likely have these expenses reimbursed. However, if you believe that your insurance company is acting in bad faith by denying your claim, postponing your claim process, or inadequately compensating you for your damages, you should immediately contact the experienced and knowledgeable insurance litigation law firm of The Knecht Law Group so that we can legally compel your insurance company to fully compensate you for your damages.

For additional information, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

What should I do if my property has been damaged by a house fire?

If your property has suffered extensive damage because of a fire you need to take swift action when dealing with your insurance company to make sure you get the necessary relief. Families could lose everything in a fire. If this happens you do not have to wait for your insurance company to process your claim. Ask for an advance on your claim so you can go buy necessities for you and your family like clothing, shelter, and food. You must then secure your property by boarding up your property, and ensuring that the fire is fully extinguished by the fire department.

After filing your claim, make sure you keep track of all the related expenses so you can report those to your insurance company. However, if you believe that your insurance company is acting in bad faith by denying your claim, delaying the claim process, or inadequately compensating you for your damages, you should immediately contact the experienced and knowledgeable insurance litigation law firm of The Knecht Law Group so that we can legally compel your insurance company to fully compensate you for your damages.

For additional information, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

What should I do if my property has been damaged by a hurricane, storm, or flood?

Many people who have residential property insurance aren’t sure of how to go about filing a claim with their insurance company. After a hurricane or storm rolls through causing damage to your property, you should contact your insurance provider as soon as possible and schedule a visit with their adjuster. You should also document all damage with video or still pictures to show the adjuster.

You should then proceed to make any temporary repairs to protect your property from any further damage, making sure to save any receipts from materials you bought to make repairs. After their adjuster assesses the damage you can likely have these expenses reimbursed. However, if you believe that your insurance company is acting in bad faith by denying your claim, postponing your claim process, or inadequately compensating you for your damages, you should immediately contact the experienced and knowledgeable insurance litigation law firm of The Knecht Law Group so that we can legally compel your insurance company to fully compensate you for your damages.

For additional information, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

What should I do if my property has been damaged by a wildfire?

If you have suffered from wildfire damage, you need to take appropriate action to make sure you get the compensation you need. You should start by filing a claim with your insurance company and fully documenting damage you find so you can receive all necessary compensation to repair or replace your property. Additionally, it can be important to review your policy to find the deductible. This way, you know generally how much wildfire damage you will be responsible for covering.

Unfortunately, sometimes your insurance company may refuse to pay for your wildfire damage even if you have followed all filing steps correctly. If your company is acting in bad faith and not paying you the full compensation that you deserve, you should immediately contact the experienced and knowledgeable insurance litigation law firm of The Knecht Law Group so that we can legally compel your insurance company to fully compensate you for your damages.

For additional information, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

What should I do if my property has been damaged by a sinkhole?

Many people who have residential property insurance aren’t sure of how to go about filing a claim with their insurance company for sinkhole damage to their property. If you have a good faith belief that you have a sinkhole at your property, your insurance company has a statutory and fiduciary duty to promptly and properly investigate this sinkhole loss. They first make an initial inspection at your property with their insurance adjuster, and if the adjuster believes that the damages noted could possibly be caused by a sinkhole, then they must conduct additional engineering testing by a qualified and licensed geo-technical engineer to confirm the cause of the damage.

However, if you believe that your insurance company is acting in bad faith by denying your claim, postponing your claim process, or inadequately compensating you for your sinkhole damages, you should immediately contact the experienced and knowledgeable insurance litigation law firm of The Knecht Law Group so that we can legally compel your insurance company to fully compensate you for your damages.

For additional information, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

What should I do after I file an insurance claim?

First, you should consult your insurance policy so that you are aware of your duties as an insured under the insurance policy. When filing your initial claim for damages, many residential and commercial policyholders call their agent to initiate the claims process. Again, check with your agent or policy when filing your claim as many policies require the initial claim to be in writing.

After a claim has been filed with the insurance company, the insured generally has duties created by the policy which must be satisfied. While not exhaustive, some common duties listed in many polices include the following: (i) providing prompt written notice of the claim, (ii) notifying the police in case of theft, (iii) protecting the property from further damage, (iv) furnishing a complete inventory of damaged property and related documents, and (v) providing access to the property as well as certain requested documents and records. If you have an active insurance claim, please consult your specific policy to identify your duties under the policy.

Finally, you should consult with an experienced and knowledgeable insurance litigation law firm like The Knecht Law Group if you have any questions regarding the documentation or presentation of your claim. Securing the assistance of an experienced insurance claims lawyer from The Knecht Law Group can assure that you get the full amount you are owed under the policy.

For additional information, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

What is the damage assessment process?

After your property has suffered significant damage from a fire, flood, or other natural disaster, you need the financial relief from your insurance company to help pay for damages. After the claim is filed, your insurance provider may send one of their insurance adjusters to examine the damage to your property in order to determine the cost of repairing the damage. Typically, insurance adjusters will visit the property and inspect the damage to the property before handing in their reports.

However, because these adjusters work for the insurance company (either directly or as third party contractors), they generally submit damage report estimates that are lower than the true market cost to repair your damage. So unless you are professionally qualified to thoroughly assess the damage and counteract the insurance adjusters report, it would be wise to retain the services of an experienced and knowledgeable insurance litigation law firm like The Knecht Law Group. Our team of lawyers, independent adjusters, appraisers and damage experts will properly determine the true repair cost of your property damage and submit the accurate damage amount to your insurance company to ensure that you are fully compensated.

For additional information, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!

What is the difference between residential and commercial property claims?

Property owners can have several different properties, each requiring its own insurance claim. Residential and commercial property insurance coverage is similar, but there are some key differences of which you may not be aware. While both types of coverage generally provide for events like fires, inclement weather, and theft, residential claims typically cover additional areas like foundation damage. Additionally, sometimes commercial property claims can be directly related to the type of property, such as a church or a condo.

When a disaster hits your property, your insurance company should be there to help. If you are not getting the financial assistance you need from your insurance company, do not hesitate to contact an experienced and knowledgeable insurance litigation law firm like The Knecht Law Group for help. For additional information, please CALL US TODAY – TOLL FREE at 1-855-288-1818 OR submit our free CASE EVALUATION FORM for an immediate response!