Bringing his expertise to the practice of residential, church and commercial insurance law in the Houston area. The Voss Law Firm, P.C.
Large-loss property insurance claims can be confusing to anyone. Whether you’re the owner of a restaurant, an executive, or even an attorney, dealing with large-loss insurance claims can be frustrating and difficult to understand. And because every large-loss claim is different, there are no set rules for getting through them, and each case has its own set of issues that can’t be ignored.
When filing for a large-loss property insurance claim, business owners may find themselves overwhelmed by the insurance coverage to sort through. They could also be faced with the task of figuring out how to replace destroyed items, like important documents, property and other materials. Each case is filled with its own set of complex problems and difficulties. Even the insurance company itself — with its team of experts, adjusters, and loss consultants —may be a bit daunted by the amount of work needed to settle the claim.
Throughout my 12 years working as a large-loss policyholder attorney, I have helped countless business owners fight for the compensation they deserve. To stay ahead of the curve, I often turn my attention toward trends that are rising in this industry.
After a large property loss, insurance companies will most likely send out an adjuster to determine the amount of compensation you should receive, but they may not always give you an accurate estimate of your losses. Contractors could sometimes give you estimates that are actually below the real costs.
So what can you expect from your attorney following a large property loss?
If you’ve experienced a large property loss and are looking to file a claim with the insurance company, you need to hire an experienced policyholder attorney who can help you through the process. A good attorney will address every aspect of the claim and fight to get you the compensation you are owed. Here’s what you can expect from a good policyholder attorney:
1. They’ll put together an action plan. A good attorney will meet with you and help you come up with steps of action that are necessary to meet insurance policy requirements. Some of these steps may involve mitigation or demolition efforts. If you don’t keep up with the insurance policy requirements, you may be unable to go forward with your claim. An attorney should also warn you to stay away from signing an “Assignment of Benefits Contract” — a document that could actually ruin your chances of receiving any money at all.
2. They’ll be your guide through the process. When you hire an attorney to help you with your claim, he or she should be there to answer all of your questions, provide you with information about the process, and give you confidence that the claim can be resolved fairly.
3. They’ll help bring your building up to code. Your attorney should review issues such as laws, ordinances, and code upgrades that need to be addressed. With the help of a professional, your attorney should explain the way you can bring your building up to standards.
