We Help Homeowners and Renters Who Need to Recover Their Losses After Devastating Events
If your home has been damaged in a fire, storm, or other devastating event, recovering your losses will involve dealing with your insurance company. Unfortunately, while you shouldn’t have to struggle to secure the coverage provided under your policy, there is a good chance that you will need to fight for the coverage you deserve.
At Tamou Law Group, we help individuals and families file successful homeowner’s and renter’s insurance claims. We understand the challenges involved in dealing with the insurance companies, and we know what it takes to hold them accountable. If you have a property damage claim, we can deal with your insurance company on your behalf, and we can guide you step-by-step through the recovery process.
What To Do (and Not Do) When You Have a Property Damage Insurance Claim
When you have a property damage insurance claim after a natural disaster or other casualty event, you need to be very careful to protect your right to coverage. With this in mind, here are some steps you should take and mistakes you should avoid:
- DO: Create an Inventory of Your Damaged Property. As soon as possible, you should create an inventory of your damaged property. If it is safe to enter your home, take lots of photos and videos, and make a list of everything that has been damaged or destroyed.
- DO NOT: Attempt to Make Any Repairs. At this point, you should not attempt to make any repairs on your own (unless advised otherwise by your lawyer). While this may seem helpful, it can actually create challenges for your insurance claim.
- DO: File an Insurance Claim. You should file an insurance claim right away. This will start the claims process; and, if your area suffered significant damage in a natural disaster, it can help you avoid unnecessary delays as your insurance company processes the high volume of claims.
- DO NOT: Rely On Your Insurance Company to Explain Your Rights. While you need to contact your insurance company, you should not rely on your adjuster to explain your legal rights. Your insurance adjuster won’t tell you everything you need to know, and your adjuster may try to get you to accept less coverage than you’ve paid for.
- DO: Seek Help from an Experienced Lawyer. Given the challenges involved with filing a successful property damage insurance claim, it is best to hire an experienced lawyer to help you. Your lawyer will handle your claim with your best interests in mind and work to help you secure full coverage as quickly as possible.
- DO NOT: Try to Handle Your Situation on Your Own. When you have suffered significant property losses, trying to handle your situation on your own can prove costly. If you make mistakes when dealing with your insurance company, you could end up with just a small fraction of the coverage you deserve.
Homeowner’s Insurance Claims Following Fires, Floods, and Other Disasters”
Different homeowner’s insurance policies provide different levels of coverage. So, if you need to file a claim, the first step is to determine what coverage you have available. Our lawyers can review your policy, and we can deal with your homeowner’s insurance company to make sure you receive the full coverage to which you are legally entitled. If you have a separate flood insurance policy, we can handle your flood claim as well.
Renter’s Insurance Claims Involving Apartments and Single-Family Homes
Renter’s insurance policies provide different levels of coverage as well. Once we review your policy and determine what coverage you have available, we will file your claim and deal with your renter’s insurance company throughout the claims process. We will seek full cash or replacement value for your damaged property (depending on what coverage you have); and, if necessary, we will take your insurance company to court.
Our lawyers work with all types of high risk merchants. Processing companies label businesses as high risk for a variety of reasons, and understanding why your business has received this label can be helpful as you move forward. Some of the most common reasons for high risk merchant classification include:
- Fire Damage
- Flood Damage
- Hail Damage
- Smoke Damage
- Theft and Vandalism
- Tree Damage
- Wind Damage
Speak with a High Risk Merchant Processing Lawyer at Tamou Law Group
If your business needs help dealing with any issue related to high risk merchant processing, we encourage you to contact us for more information. To arrange a confidential initial consultation with a high risk merchant processing lawyer at Tamou Law Group, please call 602-618-1385 or tell us how we can help online today.
FAQs: Understanding Your Legal Rights as a Homeowner or Renter After a Natural Disaster
What Types of Damage Do Homeowner’s Insurance and Renter’s Insurance Cover?
While specific policy terms vary, homeowner’s insurance and renter’s insurance generally cover all forms of damage from covered causes. This includes (but is not limited to) roof damage, structural damage, damage to HVAC and electrical systems, mold and mildew, water damage, and smoke damage.
What Types of Property Do Homeowner’s Insurance and Renter’s Insurance Cover?
Recognizing that specific policy terms vary, homeowner’s insurance and renter’s insurance policies generally cover all components of the home and all personal property within the home. In most cases, home repairs, damaged appliances and furniture, damaged electronics, and other damaged items will all be covered. Property and casualty insurance policies often provide coverage for debris removal and temporary living expenses as well.
Should I Accept a Partial Payment from My Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance Company?
You need to be very careful about accepting a partial payment from your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company. While this might be okay, we recommend that you speak with a lawyer to make sure accepting the payment does not result in a waiver of your legal rights.
What if My Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance Company is Acting in Bad Faith?
Unfortunately, bad faith insurance tactics are not uncommon. If you believe your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company is handling your claim improperly, you should speak with a lawyer right away. At Tamou Law Group, our lawyers can hold your insurance company to the terms of your policy, and we can seek additional compensation for your insurance company’s bad faith practices if warranted.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer for a Property Damage Insurance Claim?
It costs nothing out of pocket to hire a lawyer at Tamou Law Group to handle your property damage insurance claim. We handle all property damage claims on a contingency-fee basis, which means we only collect a fee if we help you secure coverage. Our fee will be calculated as a percentage of your recovery (if any); and, even taking our fee into account, you can still generally expect to take home more with one of our lawyers on your side.
Discuss Your Property Damage Claim with a Lawyer at Tamou Law Group
If you would like help dealing with your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company, we encourage you to speak with one of our lawyers as soon as possible. For a free and confidential consultation at Tamou Law Group, call 602-618-1385 or tell us how we can reach you online now.