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Property Damage Attorney in Pembroke Pines
Property Damage Attorney in Pembroke Pines
July 28, 2020 admin

Property Damage Attorney in Pembroke Pines

Owning a home is part of the American Dream, and more and more families are living that dream by purchasing a home to call their own. According to the United States Census Bureau , the current average homeownership rate in the South is over 65%, with a 78% homeownership rate for adults over the age of 65.

With its sunny weather and mild climate, Florida attracts a large number of retirees each year, with many of them settling into homeownership. Unfortunately, homeownership can come with unanticipated complications. From hurricanes, failing sump pumps, flooding, and countless other issues, the potential for property damage is as prevalent as ever.

When your property is damaged, it’s time to call a property damage attorney in Pembroke Pines. A Pembroke Pines personal property damage lawyer understands the complexities involved with owning a home in Florida and knows how to ensure that your home is safe for your family following any damage. Call today.

Property Damage Statistics

Costs for damage protection are on the rise, with insurance premiums increasing over 3.6% recently. According to the Insurance Information Institute [1], Florida homeowners have the highest premiums in the country for property protection. With a national average premium of almost $1,200, Floridians are paying almost twice that amount, with an average cost of over $2,000 in annual protection.

Not surprisingly, property damage accounts for over 98% of all homeowner insurance claims. In terms of dollar amounts, property damage claims accounted for the top five out of the eight most frequent claim payouts, with the most expensive property damage claims being:

  1. Fire and lightning
  2. Bodily injury
  3. Water and freezing
  4. Wind and hail
  5. All other property damage

In terms of frequency, wind and hail ranked as the most frequent cause of property damage, with water and freezing a close second, causing an average of over $12,000 in losses for each insured homeowner. 

Florida is home to unique weather conditions such as hurricanes, and the property damage caused by these powerful storms is immense. According to the Insurance Information Institute [2], Florida accounted for 13% of all catastrophic losses in the United States from 1987 to 2016, costing the insurance industry over $70 billion in losses.

Hurricane Insurance

While there are generally no specific policies written for hurricane damage, a homeowner’s insurance policy will typically cover any wind damage caused during an intense storm. Florida Statutes, § 627.0629(6), forbids a policy provider from “writing [a] residential property insurance policy without providing windstorm coverage or hurricane coverage.” 

This legislation was written to “assist consumers by providing [a] greater assurance that hurricane premiums are lawful and by providing more complete information regarding the components of property insurance premiums.” Flooding, however, may not be covered under an insurance policy and is typically purchased separately. 

In addition to purchasing private flood insurance, the Federal Emergency and Management Agency (FEMA), created the National Flood Insurance Program with the aim to “reduce the impact of flooding on private and public structures… by providing affordable insurance to property owners, renters and businesses and by encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations.” The goal of this program is to “reduce the socio-economic impact of disasters by promoting the purchase and retention of general risk insurance, but also of flood insurance, specifically.”

Many times, the cost of homeowner’s insurance in a flood zone is exorbitantly expensive and too cost-prohibitive. For this reason, FEMA opens its flood insurance program to all homeowners, even if they live in areas that are prone to flooding. However, it takes 30 days after initiating a policy for it to take effect. If you purchase a policy in anticipation of an oncoming storm, it may be too late. 

When do you need a property damage attorney in Pembroke Pines?

When it comes to issues of property damage, dealing with insurance companies can be complicated. Filling out the proper paperwork can be time-consuming, and if an error is made, it could affect the amount of compensation you receive. This is where a property damage attorney can help.

Understanding insurance claims is what we do at Schlacter Law. From flood and hurricane claims to fires and wind damage, our attorneys have the experience to anticipate the needs of our clients. Call our attorneys today for a consultation so we can assist you in receiving as much compensation as possible.

How We Handle Cases

  1. Investigation
    • Your attorney will aggressively investigate your case. Schlacter Law will compile all necessary evidence needed to maximize the value of your case. Which includes but is not limited to photographs, police reports, security camera footage, witness statements, medical bills and medical records.
    • You will remain in constant contact with Schlacter Law about the progression of your case.
  2. Negotiation
    • Your attorney will present your case to the insurance company and will attempt to resolve your case before the case goes to court for maximum compensation.
    • Your attorney will make every effort possible to resolve the case as quickly as possible for the most amount of money you may be entitled to. You will be actively involved in the negotiation process with your attorney. Schlacter Law understands that this is your one opportunity to get justice for your loss.
  3. Litigation
    • If settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, Schlacter Law will be fully prepared to bring your case to court to fight for the justice you deserve.
    • At no cost to you, Schlacter Law will hire any experts and professionals needed to maximize your recovery and present your case in the strongest form possible.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Florida?

Most personal injury claims must be filed within four years, including from motor vehicle wrecks, slip and falls/trip and falls, workplace injuries, criminal assaults/battery/rape, dog bites, and other related incidents. However, medical malpractice cases must be commenced within two years of when the medical malpractice was discovered or should have been discovered. Wrongful death cases must be commenced within two years of the date of death. There are some extensions or “tolls” to these time periods, but our lawyer knows that it is always best to commence a claim within the shortest possible time period. This is because there are also some instances of when the time period could be shortened such as cases against state agencies, on boats or cruise ships, or in other unique circumstances. Ask our Miami personal injury lawyer as soon as you can when you may need to file your claim so we can protect your rights to compensation.

Can I negotiate with the insurance company myself?

Yes, but you would be significantly hurting your chances of recovering fair compensation. This is because insurance companies train their adjusters to manipulate customers and minimize their damages while increasing their comparative fault. Most insurance adjusters also have the background support of a lawyer who is feeding them information against your case, including issues of liability or damages that only a trained lawyer would know. This is why it is almost always an unfair fight for a customer to try and negotiate with an insurance company without the help of a Miami lawyer like ours at Schlacter Law. Schlacter Law recommends never to give a recorded statement without the assistance of a lawyer especially to an adverse insurance company.

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