When people think of Florida, they often picture sunshine, palm trees, and vacation homes, but as property damage attorneys who live and work right here in Florida, we know the story is a little more complicated. Owning property here also means dealing with the real risk of hurricanes, sinkholes, heavy rain, and even sudden electrical failures. And while it might seem like the insurance company will handle everything smoothly, that’s not always how it goes.
What makes this even more frustrating is that a lot of people aren’t prepared when it happens. They may not know how to file a claim, what kind of information their insurance company needs, or whether their policy even covers the damage they’re dealing with. That’s where our team of property damage attorneys in Florida steps in and saves the day.
At Lopez Law Group, we’ve helped property owners all over the state of Florida understand what they’re dealing with, what their rights are, and how to push back when their claims are wrongfully denied or undervalued. We’ve been on the ground with people facing water damage, wind damage, and everything in between, and we know how to help them move forward.
In this article, we’ll be answering a few FAQs on property claims.
What Counts as Property Damage?
This is usually the first question people ask when they’re thinking about filing a claim. In Florida, we see property damage caused by everything from heavy rainstorms to vandalism and vehicle accidents. But whether or not something “counts” depends on your specific insurance policy, and that’s where it starts getting tricky.
In general, property damage can include:
- Storm-related damage (like wind, hail, or flooding)
- Fire and lightning strikes
- Water damage from plumbing issues or roof leaks
- Theft or vandalism
- Structural damage from car crashes or falling trees
- Hurricane or tornado damage
- Sinkhole activity
A standard homeowner’s policy covers some types of damage—but not everything. For instance, flood damage is typically excluded unless you have separate flood insurance. The same applies to issues like sewer backups or damage caused by earthquakes.
That’s why we always advise clients to speak with an attorney before making assumptions about what their insurance covers. At Lopez Law Group, we guide people through the details of their policies to help them understand exactly what they’re owed.
Do You Need an Estimate Before Filing?
Yes, and not just any estimate, one that reflects the real cost of fixing the damage. Too often, we see insurance companies use their adjusters to come up with a payout that’s way below what you’ll need to make repairs.
This is one of the biggest mistakes we see homeowners make. They trust the adjuster sent by the insurance company without realizing that the adjuster’s job is to save the company money. That means you might be offered a payout that doesn’t even come close to covering the real costs.
What we do at Lopez Law Group is help you get an independent estimate from someone who’s not working for the insurance company. That way, you have documentation that shows what it really costs to repair your home or replace the damaged property.
We’ve also helped many clients navigate disputes about these estimates when the insurance company tries to push back, and we step in.
What Happens If Your Claim Is Still Denied?
If your insurance company stands by its denial after you’ve submitted extra documents or gotten your estimate, the next step is to appeal. That’s not something you want to go into alone.
Appeals often require deep knowledge of both insurance law and your specific policy language. When you work with Lopez Law Group, we handle the appeal process from start to finish. That includes gathering every document, record, and expert opinion needed to support your case.
And if it becomes clear that the only way to move forward is to go to court, we’ll be ready to take that step too. Our goal is always to get a fair result as quickly as possible, but we’re not afraid to stand up to insurance companies if that’s what it takes.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Handle a Property Damage Claim?
You don’t always need a lawyer to file a claim, but it’s important to understand when it helps. If the damage is small and the insurance company offers a fair payout, you may not need legal help.
But if the payout doesn’t come close to covering the repairs, or your claim is denied entirely, it’s time to talk to an attorney. Trying to push back on your own can be frustrating, especially when you’re already dealing with damage to your home or business.
At Lopez Law Group, we’ve handled insurance claims at every stage—from filing the initial paperwork to negotiating fair settlements and, when necessary, preparing for trial. Our team knows how to secure expert assessments, locate critical documents, and ensure you’re treated fairly throughout the entire process.