As insurance premium rates rise, homeowners across the U.S. are pushed to invest more on property protection now than ever before. According to a study conducted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, average premium on homeowner’s insurance rose by 3.6% countrywide in 2015.
While the purpose of insurance is to ensure financial protection in the event of complete loss, policyholders often struggle to acquire the monetary compensation they deserve, as financial interests of policyholders and insurance providers are essentially on opposite ends of a spectrum.
Has your claim been denied? Delayed? Are you undercompensated? Under such circumstances, hiring an experienced legal attorney helps strengthen your case against the insurance company and increases your chances of receiving your rightful payout.
Here are some attributes you should look for in your insurance claim lawyer:
1. Attention to detail:
During your legal battle with insurance company, lawyers from both parties will be expected to investigate facts. The process also involves exchange of documents and a ‘deposition’, which is a formal fact-finding procedure. A lawyer that is detail-oriented is more likely to comprehend your case in a suitable manner, and vigilantly extract information that can be used to your advantage.
2. Open and Honest:
Resolving legal issues regarding insurance claims requires upfront exchange of information and strong communication between you and your lawyer, to avoid any ambiguities.
Hiring a lawyer that isn’t entirely honest or is unusually optimistic about the issue could place the odds against your case. Disclose all claim relevant information to your lawyer and ensure that your lawyer keeps you updated regarding the legal proceedings.
3. Extensive Experience:
Hiring an attorney with extensive experience in insurance laws and litigation procedures always works in the favor of policyholders. General practitioners have a fair idea regarding the fundamentals of insurance claim proceedings but someone who has dealt with insurance claims in the past possesses deeper knowledge of federal and state laws about property insurance claims.
4. Affordable Fee Structure:
The right attorney for your insurance claims case is one you can afford without breaking your bank. Inquire about the costs per hearing or per letter to estimate the total litigation cost. If possible, choose an attorney from a law firm that does not charge until the insurance claim dispute between policyholders and insurance providers is settled.
It’s nearly impossible to settle property damage claims without litigation, as insurance providers are always seeking an easy way out of the situation with minimum payouts. Wrongfully underpaid, delayed or denied insurance claims violate legal rights of policyholders, therefore they should immediately consult legal firms with extensive experience in insurance claims handling, should such a situation arise.
If you’re unsatisfied with your insurance company’s response to your property damage and are seeking legal advocacy for your insurance claims case in Florida, consult Arnesen Webb, P.A., a property insurance dispute law firm dedicated to the representation of policyholders against insurance companies. Their attorneys assist policyholders throughout the claims process and charge only after the successful settlement of dispute.
For details, get in touch with their representative by giving them a call at 561-757-6000 for a free consultation.
