Florida’s property owners are all too familiar with the ever-present threat of water damage. The Atlantic hurricane season has grown longer and stronger in recent years, bringing with it torrential rain and strong winds for half the year throughout the State of Florida. Add to that the risk of water damage from faulty plumbing, a leaking roof, or a malfunctioning appliance, and water damage becomes a very real threat for Florida homeowners. If your property was damaged by water, you expect your homeowner’s insurance company to compensate you in full within a reasonable amount of time. Unfortunately, that is not always what happens when a claim for water damage is filed.

At Malik Law, we work with property owners who have had a water damage insurance claim denied, delayed, or underpaid to get the claim paid in full. If your property suffered water damage, and your insurance company has not paid your claim in full, the experienced Florida water damage attorneys at Malik Law can help.

What Should I Do If My Home Suffered Water Damage?

Water damage can run the gamut from minimal damage to damage that makes the home inhabitable. Even relatively minor damage, however, can set off a chain reaction that leads to more extensive damage. With that in mind, you should take the following steps if your property has suffered water damage:

1. Do not re-enter until it is safe. Water damage resulting from a storm is often accompanied by roof damage, broken glass, and even structural damage that can be extremely dangerous. Even damage caused by a water leak inside your home can cause mold and other unsanitary conditions. Do not re-enter your home until the property authorities have examined it and determined that it is safe to do so.
2. Mitigate the damage. To protect your financial investment and to prevent issues with your insurance claim, do what you can to prevent further damage to the property. For example, if the water damage appears to be the result of something inside your home, shut off the water at the main or contact the local authorities to come and do so. If a storm caused a leak in your roof, put a tarp or plywood over the leak.
3. Document the damage. Take photos of the water damage. Gather receipts and other documentary evidence proving the value of damaged or destroyed items. Obtain your own estimates of what it will cost to repair or replace the damaged property.
4. Contact your insurance company. Call your insurance company as soon as possible to file a claim for the water damage. Your insurance company may send out an adjuster to prepare a repair/replacement estimate. Be sure to follow up with your insurance company and provide any requested documents or evidence.

Florida Water Damage Insurance Claims – Denied, Delayed, or Underpaid

When you pay your insurance premiums you do so with the belief that your insurance company will honor its end of the deal by paying a claim in full and without delay. In practice, however, insurance companies frequently deny or underpay water damage claims. Homeowners may also face an unreasonable delay in getting a claim paid by the insurance company. Common reasons for these problems include:

• Claim denied. Few homeowners read the entire insurance policy before purchasing coverage. When water damage is the source of a claim for damages, that can be problematic because certain types of water damage are specifically excluded in most homeowners’ insurance policies. For example, a standard homeowner’s policy does not cover damage from water that has been on the ground because it is considered flood damage and requires a separate flood insurance policy. Likewise, damage caused by water that has been inside the home for over 14 days is frequently excluded from coverage.
• Claim underpaid. Your insurance company is a business. As such, they must show a profit each year, meaning they have a strong incentive to minimize the amount of money paid out in claims. Underpaying claims is one way to accomplish this goal.
• Claim delayed. Another way for your insurance company to avoid paying out claims is to put burdensome obstacles in your way that cause delays. Seemingly endless requests for documents and forms are one reason your claim may be delayed. Conflicting estimates regarding the cost of repairs/replacement can also result in an unreasonable delay.

Get Help from Experienced Florida Water Damage Attorneys

The Florida water damage attorneys at Malik Law P.A. have extensive experience helping homeowners who have suffered water damage and have had a claim denied, delayed, or underpaid. We have seen first-hand the varied strategies insurance companies employ to avoid or delay paying claims in full. If your property has suffered water damage, we will aggressively advocate on your behalf to ensure that you are fully compensated for the damage.

Call us at 407-500-1000 or submit our online form today. One of our experienced Florida water damage attorneys will explain your rights to you and discuss your legal options at no cost.