Filing a Claim vs. Fixing the Damage Yourself for Florida Homeowners

Whenever a homeowner experiences property damage, they face an important decision: Should they file an insurance claim, or simply fix the damage themselves out of their own pocket. The right decision is sometimes obvious, but in other situations it can be much more complex. What kind of analysis should you perform before making the final decision? Could a property insurance lawyer in Fort Lauderdale provide guidance?

You May Have No Choice

If you do not have enough money to “self-repair,” you may have no choice but to file a claim. This makes the decision relatively easy, and you should file your claim as soon as possible. If your claim is denied, you can still push back with help from a property insurance lawyer in Fort Lauderdale. Do not assume that you need to fix the damage yourself just because you have received a denial letter.

Consider Potential Increases in Your Premiums

Before you file a claim, you might want to calculate how much your premiums will increase. As Fort Lauderdale residents are undoubtedly aware, premiums are already quite high in Florida. An increase could be untenable for many property owners, making them reluctant to file claims. That being said, there isn’t much point in having property insurance if you don’t use it when necessary. Although it might be difficult to handle higher premiums, fixing your home is often non-negotiable.

You might want to do some quick math to contrast your increased premiums with the cost of self-repair. Even if you can afford to repair the damage yourself, it might be cheaper to accept the increased premiums in the long run. Of course, the opposite might also be true. It may make much more sense to self-repair and accept the higher premiums, especially if the damage is somewhat minor.

Check to See Whether the Damage Is Even Covered 

Another obvious step is to determine whether your specific type of damage is even covered under your policy. Not all damage is covered. For example, flooding is not covered under a normal policy unless you have additional flood damage. Normal wear and tear might also be excluded, and it might make more sense to pay for some basic maintenance out of your own pocket instead of filing a claim. That being said, insurance companies might deny claims even if the damage should be covered. If you suspect this might have happened, consider contacting a property insurance lawyer. 

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.

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