Miami First Party Storm Damage Lawyer
Anyone who lives in Miami knows that it is important to be prepared for hurricanes and other major storms that can cause significant property damage. If you are a homeowner in the Miami area, Florida law requires you to have a certain amount of insurance to provide you with coverage in the event of a significant loss. However, not all policies carry coverage for flood damage unless you pay an additional premium. Moreover, while homeowners’ insurance policies tend to provide coverage for most types of hurricane-related damage, in addition to excluding flood damage in certain situations, some policies also exclude or limit coverage for wind damage. Renters’ insurance can be even more complicated when it comes to filing a first party storm damage claim. While you may not be responsible for repairing structural damage as a renter, you will want to have coverage for the contents of your home in the event of a severe storm.
If you have questions about filing a claim, as a homeowner or renter in Miami, it is important to begin working on your claim with a Miami first party storm damage lawyer. And if your claim has been denied, an advocate at our firm can begin working on your appeal.
What is a First Party Storm Damage Claim in Miami?
When you file an insurance claim, you often have the option to file either a first-party claim or a third-party claim. Generally speaking, a first-party claim is the type of claim you file through your own insurance company, while a third-party claim is the type of claim you file through another policyholder’s insurance. In most situations, a homeowner or renter will only file a third-party claim if that third party is somehow responsible for the damage.
Accordingly, most storm damage claims in Florida are first-party claims that get filed through your own insurance company.
Understanding Homeowners’ Insurance in Miami, Florida
The Florida Bar explains that homeowners’ insurance policies in Florida typically include the following types of coverage:
- Coverage A—Dwelling: this provides you with coverage for any physical damage that occur to your home;
- Coverage B—Other Structures: this provides you with coverage for physical damage to other structures on your property, like a fence or a detached garage;
- Coverage C—Contents: this provides you with coverage for damage to your personal property, including the contents of your home; and
- Coverage D—Additional Living Expenses: this provides coverage for additional living expenses if you cannot occupy your home.
In most scenarios, homeowners’ insurance provides coverage for damage from hurricanes and other severe storms generally, but a standard policy may not include the following:
- Flood insurance; and
- Windstorm insurance.
As you can imagine, much of the damage caused by hurricanes and severe storms in Florida results from flooding and windstorm activity. While a standard policy may not include this type of coverage, you can purchase it with your policy.
Seek Assistance Filing a First Party Storm Damage Claim in Miami
If you need assistance filing a claim or appealing a denied storm damage claim, an aggressive first party storm damage claim attorney in Miami can assist you. Contact The Pendas Law Firm to discuss your case with an experienced lawyer today.
