Can You Appeal a Denied Insurance Claim in Fort Lauderdale Without Help From a Lawyer?
If you received a denied property insurance claim, you might be wondering whether you truly need help from a Fort Lauderdale property insurance lawyer. You might be concerned about paying additional legal fees, especially if you’re already facing financial pressures. Can’t you simply file some kind of appeal on your own, without legal assistance? What are the pros and cons of hiring a lawyer in this situation?
You Can Go Through an Internal Appeal Process First
Insurers give you the opportunity to navigate an internal appeals process before taking the matter to the Florida Department of Financial Services or filing a lawsuit. That being said, each internal appeals process is slightly different. Since these are rules set by individual companies and not the Florida government, you can expect some variation between these processes. For this reason, it is important to carefully review the specific steps that your insurer requires during this internal appeals process.
There Is No Law That Requires You to Hire a Lawyer During the Internal Appeals Process
Florida does not have any laws that require you to hire a lawyer during your internal appeals process. In fact, you never have to hire a lawyer, even if you take your claim to the Supreme Court. That being said, many would argue that hiring a lawyer is a smart decision. You have the option to hire a lawyer before you even begin the internal appeals process, and many would argue that this is the right call.
Do I Have to Pay My Property Insurance Lawyer in Order to Start the Appeal Process?
Each law firm is different, and you might want to discuss legal fees in more detail with your choice of attorney. That being said, most property insurance lawyers offer a payment system called “contingency fees.” Under this system, you will not have to pay your full legal fees until you win your lawsuit. If you never win, you don’t have to pay these fees.
Recent changes to Florida’s legal system mean there are now “one-way” attorney fees during a property insurance lawsuit. Under the previous system, the property insurance company was obliged to pay your legal fees even if you won just a single dollar.
Note that some property insurance lawyers also offer free consultations, so there is very little risk in assessing your legal options alongside an attorney. While you can certainly choose not to hire a lawyer, you might want to discuss your situation with an experienced legal professional before making your final decision.
Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Property Insurance Lawyers Today
At Geyer Fuxa Tyler, our legal team is made up of a diverse combination of attorneys who are well-positioned to protect the legal rights and financial interests of policyholders. If your property insurance claim was denied, we can help. For a free consultation, please call us today at (954) 990-5251. With an office in Sunrise, we represent policyholders in Broward County and throughout the state of Florida.
Source:
natlawreview.com/article/proposed-new-legislation-significantly-impact-dynamics-first-party-insurance