Insurance Claims
According to the Insurance Information Institute, about one in 20 insured homes has an insurance claim each year.
While some claims are more frequent, like wind or hail damage, others, like fire and lightning damages, are more costly and can upend a homeowners’ finances without notice.
No matter how your home is damaged, policyholders believe their insurance companies will cover the expenses. Unfortunately, they often find out differently when they submit a claim.
At The Morgan Law Group, our Florida insurance claims attorneys represent clients who deserve more from their insurance providers than delayed responses, decreased coverage allowances, and outright claim denials. When it is time to file an insurance claim for some of the most common — or even obscure — homeowners insurance claims, we can help you get the most from the policy you have paid for all these years.
Common Insurance Claim One: Wind and Hail Damage
About one in 40 insured homes has a property damage claim related to wind or hail each year. These circumstances caused the most homeowner insurance claims throughout the U.S. over the last five years.
Since Florida is home to the most thunderstorms in the country each year, our residents often suffer from widespread wind-related insurance claims, with the average claim valued around $11,000.
Florida is also home to many hurricanes, tornadoes, and hail storms, which can knock down trees, remove siding from the exterior of the house, damage roofing, destroy windows, and cause severe harm to the structure of the home, leaving no one immune to the damages wind and hail can cause.
Common Insurance Claim Two: Water Damage
Nearly one in 50 insured homes has a property damage insurance claim caused by water damage each year.
Water damage insurance claims are common because they can result from multiple origins, including hurricanes, storm surges, rain, burst pipes, leaking plumbing, and other piping failures.
Insurance companies often cover water damage claims, depending on your coverage, but flood damage may be a different story and surprisingly not covered by your policy.
Water that touches the ground before impacting your home is called “flooding.” This type of water damage could come from a nearby overflowing body of water, water collected from the road, and breaks in a communal main pipe.
Insurance companies do not enjoy paying insurance claims, even when the policy clearly covers the damage. They may look for uncovered circumstances — like flooding — to avoid payment. If so, you may need help from our insurance claims attorneys in Florida to pursue the coverage you deserve.
Common Insurance Claim Three: Fire and Lightning Damage
Fire and lightning damage insurance claims may rank less for frequency, but the damages account for the most expensive insurance claims, with the average claim averaging nearly $80,000.
Fire and lightning can cause both structural and cosmetic damages to a home while burning the contents throughout, leading to overwhelming expenses that most homeowners can ill-afford to cover without the help of their insurance policy.
Common Insurance Claim Four: Break-Ins and Theft
Break-ins and theft can happen anywhere, no matter how safe the neighborhood. Unfortunately, when a home gets broken into, the damage goes beyond the missing items.
Physical damage can occur when a door or window is broken to gain entrance, or once the intruder is inside, they can toss the home looking for valuables, which can lead to further damage throughout the house.
Artwork, jewelry, and other collectibles are often the targets during break-ins, and most homeowners’ insurance policies will cover theft — when the items are listed in your policy.
That is why it is so important to ensure your contents coverage remains updated in real-time, so your possessions are covered when the worst happens.
Common Insurance Claim Five: Non-Theft Property Damage
Property damage, like falling trees that land on a roof or someone backing into a home or garage are common accidents that require homeowners to lean on their insurance policies for coverage.
Other common, non-theft damage can include liability for guests who suffer injury or property damage while visiting your home, including:
- Dog bites
- Slip, trips, or falls on stairs, sidewalks, or railing failures
- Backyard accidents, including swimming pool, trampoline, or sports injuries
No matter the damage that occurs inside or outside your home, the insurance company is going to scrutinize the cause, the coverage, and their responsibility to cover the financial fallout.
That typically ends in a delayed, undervalued, or denied claim. You deserve more.
If your home has sustained any type of damage from common claim causes or even once-in-a-lifetime events, contact our Florida, Orlando insurance claims attorneys at The Morgan Law Group by calling (844) 818-0774 today. We will evaluate your coverage and determine your total damages before presenting a complete insurance claim to your provider, so you can focus on moving forward with the repair or replacement needs without delay.
