Our Florida Home Damage Attorneys Help You Secure a Full & Fair Homeowners’ Insurance Claim
At Bernheim Kelley, our Fort Lauderdale home property damage lawyers are skilled, steadfast, and experienced in helping maximize homeowner insurance claims beyond what property adjusters can secure. With extensive knowledge of Florida property damage and insurance law and the claims process, we know how to use the law to push big insurance carriers to pay what is fair and in line with today’s material and labor costs.
Homeowners’ insurance companies make a profit by paying out as little as possible on claims for damages from hurricanes, fires, floods, water leaks, cast iron pipe failures, and more. Most likely, they’ll attempt to minimize your property damage claim to maximize their profits. They don’t care about your home, your family, or your future. We do.
If you have homeowners’ insurance and your home sustained damage, we can assist you with filing a claim with your policy provider to recover full compensation for your losses. However, many homeowners may not realize the complex process involved in getting the money they deserve, including dealing with denials, lowball offers, and stall tactics. And often, property adjusters cannot maximize compensation without the assistance of a knowledgeable Florida property damage lawyer.
Bernheim Kelley has been handling these claims for decades. We know the law and how to build a solid claim, and we’re not afraid of big insurance companies with deep pockets. They’ve tried to go up against us before, know what we’re capable of, and are more likely to negotiate fairly when they see us by your side.
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We’re Keeping It Real out here every day—using our Real Experience and our commitment to Real Advocacy to get Real Results for homeowners across Florida. If you are struggling with a claim, reeling after a denial, or have any questions about the process, our trusted legal team is more than ready to help.
To set up a FREE and confidential consultation with one of our Fort Lauderdale home property damage attorneys, please do not hesitate to call us at 954-866-1111 or contact us online. And remember, you don’t pay unless we win.
Why Choose Us?
When you’re facing one of the toughest moments of your life, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a trusted ally who will stand with you and fight for your rights.
What are the Most Common Property Damage Claims?
Do you need to file a home damage insurance claim? You are not alone. Property damage insurance claims are unfortunate, frustrating, and unexpected, but they are not unusual. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), approximately 5% of insured homes filed a homeowners’ insurance claim in 2021, and 97% of those involved property damage.
Some of the most common home damage claims in Florida include:
- Wind & Hail Damage (Storm Damage): Wind/hail/storm damage is the leading cause of homeowners’ insurance claims. In 2022, wind and hail were responsible for 40.7% of all property damage claims in the United States. As Floridians, we know how devastating hurricanes can be. If your home was damaged due to hurricane-related winds, contact our hurricane damage insurance attorneys for help.
- Water Damage: Water damage is another major cause of home insurance claims, making up 23.4% of claims in 2022. Even a small leak can quickly cause significant water damage, including mold growth. If your home was damaged by a leak, pipe burst, or related matter, contact our water damage insurance attorneys for help.
- Fire & Lightning Damage: Fires are another common type of property damage, accounting for 23.3% of claims. Fire damage has the potential to be catastrophic. A total loss is possible. If your home was damaged by fire or lightning, contact our fire damage insurance attorneys for help.
- Cast Iron Pipes: Many older Florida homes were built with cast iron plumbing systems that are now corroding and collapsing. These failures can cause major water damage, sewage backups, and costly structural issues. If your home was damaged due to failing cast iron pipes, contact our cast iron pipe lawsuit attorneys for help.
Are you struggling with a Florida homeowner’s insurance claim? Bernheim Kelley fights hard to secure the maximum compensation for homeowners dealing with property damage from hurricanes, fires, floods, cast-iron pipe issues, and more.
Insurance companies will deny and lowball your claim because they’re more concerned with their profits than with your rights and well-being. Our insurance claim attorneys have no patience for those thoughtless tactics. Schedule your FREE consultation today to explore your legal options.
What Is Covered Under Your Homeowners’ Insurance Policy?
Different insurance policies have different coverages. To really understand what your policy covers, you’ll need to obtain a copy and review the specific terms.
However, our attorneys have worked on a wide range of home damage insurance claims. We’ve reviewed many policies in the process of securing the settlements our clients deserved and can give you a general idea of what is typically covered. For a more accurate idea of what you can expect from your policy, reach out for a FREE consultation with our team.
In the meantime, some of the most common issues covered by homeowner’s insurance policies include:
- Water leaks (including to underground pipes)
- Bathroom & kitchen plumbing issues
- Mold growth
- Hurricane/tropical storm damage (wind)
- Fire & smoke damage
- Floor problems (including cracked tiles & buckled floors)
- Break-ins (theft & vandalism damage)
While these issues are usually covered, the only way to know for sure is to review your policy. We’ll walk through it with you, so you understand what’s included and what’s not. Clarity brings confidence, and peace of mind is exactly what you need right now.
What Kind of Property Damage Is NOT Typically Covered by Home Insurance in Florida?
The unfortunate reality is that not all property damage is covered by a typical homeowners’ insurance policy. To know what is or is not covered under your policy, we will need to sit down and take a look.
However, home damage that is often NOT covered includes:
- Flood Damage: In Florida, a homeowner generally needs to obtain a specific policy for flood damage. It is not covered in most homeowners’ policies.
- Inadequate Maintenance: Homeowners’ insurance typically requires policyholders to take reasonable care. Damage caused by improper or inadequate maintenance may not be covered.
Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Hurricane & Tornado Damage?
Though your coverage will depend on the specific terms of your policy, homeowners’ insurance typically covers wind damage in Florida. This can include damage from both hurricanes and tornadoes. However, as we just discussed, your typical homeowners’ policy does not cover “flood” damage. That means that damage caused by a storm surge in a hurricane may not be covered without a specific flood policy.
What Is a Bad Faith Claim?
Bad faith occurs when an insurance company uses unfair and unjust practices to try to make it more difficult for a policyholder to get full and proper benefits. Florida requires insurance companies to use good faith settlement practices, which means they act fairly and honestly when handling a claim. When they fail to do so, they can be held legally liable for additional bad faith damages.
If your insurance company is giving you the runaround, delaying payment without cause, undervaluing your claim, or outright denying it without a fair investigation, you have every right to be frustrated, and you might have legal recourse through a bad faith claim. At Bernheim Kelley, we don’t let insurance companies push our clients around. We’ll build a case that exposes their actions and fight for the full amount you’re owed.
What To Do if Your Home Is Damaged
Was your Florida home damaged in a storm or a fire, by water leaks, failing cast iron pipes, or something else unexpected? Don’t delay! Every moment counts when it comes to protecting your property, your rights, your financial interests, and your future.
Here are some important steps to take if your home is damaged:
- Make Sure You & Your Family Are Safe: Before anything else, get to a safe place and ensure everyone in your household is out of harm’s way. Your safety comes first.
- Protect It From Further Damage: Not only do you want to minimize your losses and protect your home, but most insurance policies require homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage.
- Document Your Losses: Carefully record what has happened through written accounts, photos, and video. Start a detailed list accounting for the full scope of what’s been damaged or destroyed.
- Notify Your Insurer: Report the incident to your insurance company as soon as you are able and begin the claims process.
- Prepare for Investigation: Once the claim is initiated, an insurance adjuster will open an investigation. They’ll review your coverage and gather evidence to determine how much money they believe you are entitled to in a settlement.
- Be Ready to Negotiate: The first offer is rarely the best. You have the right to negotiate and push for what your claim is truly worth.
- Consult with an Attorney: Insurance companies have teams of lawyers protecting their bottom line. You need a team to protect yours. If you feel pressured, ignored, or shortchanged, our Fort Lauderdale home insurance claim attorneys have your back. We’ll handle the details and fight for every dollar you’re owed.
Let’s make sure you’re treated fairly and have what you need to move forward. Contact Bernheim Kelley today for your FREE consultation.
– you are in good hands!
What Not To Say to a Home Claims Adjuster?
When you speak with an insurance adjuster, what you say matters because, unfortunately, they may try to use your words to reduce or deny your claim. You don’t need to have all the answers right away, and you’re not required to explain every detail on the spot. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to pause and get guidance from trustworthy legal representation.
Here are a few things to avoid saying:
- Don’t admit fault or speculate: Stick to the facts. Even casual guesses like “I think it started in the attic” can be used against you.
- Don’t downplay your losses: Saying “It’s not that bad” may seem polite, but it can minimize your damages in the adjuster’s report.
- Don’t say you don’t need a lawyer: It tells the insurer you’re handling this alone, which is exactly what they hope for.
- Don’t give a recorded statement without legal advice: You have the right to decline until you’ve spoken to an attorney.
Do I Need a Fort Lauderdale Home Damage Lawyer To Get Real Results?
Yes. When your home is damaged, getting fair treatment from your insurance company is fundamental to your future. These companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working in their best interest. You need a team watching out for yours.
Bernheim Kelley has been successfully handling these types of claims for decades. We know how Florida insurers operate, and we won’t let them sidestep their responsibilities. Whether you’re facing a denied homeowners’ insurance claim, a delayed payout, or an offer that doesn’t even come close to covering your losses, our team is here for you.
We work with expert investigators, dig through the fine print in your policy, and push hard to recover the money you’re entitled to. You deserve fair treatment, and when insurers are held to the law, you can focus on rebuilding and moving forward. Our insurance dispute attorneys can step in and fight for what you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Damage Insurance Claims
Let’s Keep It Real. It is best to at least consult with a property damage attorney early on in the claims process. At the very least, reach out at the first indication of trouble. In cases of significant damage or if the insurance company is delaying, denying, or offering an unreasonably low amount for repairs, you can benefit from an attorney’s knowledge, experience, and confidence. The best part is that consultations are FREE, and we work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t need to provide any money upfront. We get paid when you do.
Was your Florida property damaged? The sooner you start the property damage insurance claims process, the better your chances of securing a full and fair settlement and the quicker you’ll be able to pay your repair bills.
Here are four of the most important steps in the settlement process:
- Get Organized (Document Damages, Review Policy): Start by protecting your property from further damage. Then, document everything (e.g., photos, videos, receipts, a written timeline), and review your policy to understand what is covered and what your responsibilities are.
- File Your Claim: Contact your insurance provider to start the claims process. Follow their steps carefully and keep detailed records of every interaction. You’ll need to provide evidence of your loss, and they’ll need to prove any reason to limit or deny your claim.
- Evaluate Their Settlement Offer: Once you receive a settlement offer, do not rush to accept it. Compare it to the actual cost of your damages and losses. You have the right to ask questions, push back, and negotiate for more.
- Talk to an Attorney: If the offer feels low or your claim is denied, don’t fight it alone. A skilled property damage claim lawyer can step in, review the details, and help you get the Real Results you’re owed.
Are you having trouble with your claim? We hold insurers to task and work to recover what Florida homeowners are owed—No win, no fee, and a FREE initial consultation.
Yes! You are not required to accept an initial settlement offer from your insurance company. In fact, insurance companies often lead with relatively low settlement offers in home damage claims.
You don’t have to acquiesce, but you’ll need to present a strong and compelling case backed by reliable evidence.
The attorneys at Bernheim Kelley have Real Experience negotiating Florida home insurance claims. We work with adjusters to build rock-solid claims that keep insurers accountable. The pressure shouldn’t be on you right now—it should be on them.
It depends. Every case is different, and the timeline can vary based on the extent of your damage, how the insurance company chooses to handle your claim, and more. Under Florida law, insurers have 60 days from the date they receive notice of your claim to pay or deny it. Even if you dispute parts of their settlement offer, any undisputed amounts should be paid within that 60-day timeframe.
But here’s what matters most: you should only accept an offer if it truly covers the full scope of your losses. Don’t let your insurer pressure you into something less than fair. Bernheim Kelley can help you evaluate the offer and push for the compensation you actually deserve.
In Florida, your homeowners’ insurance company is required by law to send you a written denial letter when rejecting your claim. The denial letter has to satisfy certain basic legal requirements, including providing a reason why your claim was denied. Unfortunately, property insurance denial letters are often vague, confusing, or buried in technical language that’s hard to make sense of.
Our home damage insurance lawyers can review your policy and denial letter, explain exactly why your benefits were denied, and help you figure out your next steps. If you were unfairly denied, we’ll be ready to take action.
It depends on the terms of your policy, the extent of your damage, and how well your claim is documented. Here’s the thing: insurance companies don’t always offer what your claim is truly worth, especially at first. They may undervalue repairs, overlook certain losses, or delay payouts, hoping you’ll settle for less.
At Bernheim Kelley, we work with experts to calculate the full value of your damage and fight for every dollar you’re owed. You shouldn’t have to cover repair costs out of pocket when you’ve been paying for coverage all along.
Under Florida law, you generally have 1 year from the date of the loss to file a property damage claim with your insurance company. However, if it’s a supplemental claim, you have 18 months from the date of loss. Don’t wait! Delays can jeopardize your right to recovery. If you’re unsure whether you’re still within your filing window, reach out to us. We’ll review your situation and make sure deadlines don’t stand in the way of getting what you’re owed.
No! And that’s exactly why you should. Insurance companies have expensive legal teams working behind the scenes to protect their bottom line. They know an experienced attorney levels the playing field, which makes it harder for them to underpay or deny a valid claim. That is not okay with us, and we bet it’s not okay with you either. Our team builds strong cases, challenges unfair decisions, and helps you get the Real Justice you deserve.
You should always be able to afford the highest standard of representation. With Bernheim Kelley, you can. To start, we offer a FREE consultation for homeowners who need to file a damage claim. That gives you the space to ask questions, understand your rights, and figure out your next move without any pressure.
Filing a claim may seem like a straightforward process, but few realize how much work goes into getting a fair and comprehensive payment for the damage covered under the policy. When you have our team in your corner, you can be confident that we are handling your claim with skill and care. We’ll work to recover the money you need to repair and replace the damages in your home and move forward on your own terms and a no-win, no-fee basis.
How Can Bernheim Kelley Help You Get Real Justice for Your Home Damage Claim?
When your home is damaged and the insurance company makes things harder instead of easier, you need Real Advocates with Real Experience on your side. Bernheim Kelley goes above and beyond to help homeowners across Florida maximize their recoveries for hurricane damage, fires, floods, cast iron pipe failures, and more.
The insurance company isn’t going to look out for your best interests. We know the tactics they use to delay, deny, and underpay claims. But our team doesn’t back down. We investigate, we document, and we champion your claim, so your future looks bright again. That’s what Real Justice looks like.
When you contact our Fort Lauderdale office, we’ll get to work right away. Here’s how we help:
- Evaluate Your Claim: We start with a comprehensive, detail-focused case review to understand the full scope of your damage.
- Review Your Policy: We break down the fine print, so you know exactly what your policy covers and what it doesn’t.
- Investigate the Damage: Our team uses expert investigators when needed to gather evidence and strengthen your claim.
- Handle the Paperwork: From start to finish, we manage the forms, deadlines, and back-and-forth with your insurer.
- Negotiate & Take Action: If your insurer doesn’t offer what’s fair, we’re prepared to escalate and pursue full legal action on your behalf.
Best of all, you don’t pay us unless we win.
Real Advocates Pursuing Real Results for You & Your Family
Your home is where your life happens. When it’s damaged, it upsets your foundation. At Bernheim Kelley, we believe Real Justice goes beyond just cutting a check. It means restoring peace of mind after your home and sense of safety have been shaken.
We fight hard for a fair insurance payout, but also for dignity, security, and a path forward. We don’t back down when insurers delay, deny, or underpay. We stand strong by your side.
You know we Keep It Real. With us, you get Real Advocacy, Real Experience, and Real Results driven by what’s right, not what’s easy.
Schedule a FREE Consultation With Our Fort Lauderdale Home Property Damage Lawyers Today
Struggling with a Florida homeowner’s insurance claim? You don’t have to. Bernheim Kelley is here to support you and push back against denied claims, shortchanged settlements, and insurance company tactics that put their profits over your family.
Whether your home was damaged by hurricanes, fire, wind, water leaks, or cast iron pipe issues, our steadfast Fort Lauderdale home property damage attorneys know how to handle it. We’ll help you build a strong case and demand what is fair. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis and are ready to get to work right now.
If you need help with a homeowners insurance claim in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in Florida, we’re here to fight for what’s right. Call 954-866-1111 or contact us online today to schedule your FREE consultation.