Sarasota Insurance Coverage Dispute Lawyer
Coverage disputes often arise after a policyholder submits a claim on their insurance. Their carrier might swiftly reject the claim, or they only agree to cover some of the loss. These types of disputes create real headaches and cause financial distress for property owners who are expecting compensation. Contact our firm today to speak with a Sarasota insurance coverage dispute lawyer.
Policy Language Matters
An insurance policy is a contract between you and the insurance carrier. Understanding the policy language is critical for determining if you have rights in a dispute.
The typical insurance contract should spell out in clear language what is and is not covered. Any terms or conditions should also be explained clearly. For example, many homeowner’s insurance policies will exclude flood damage.
An insurance contract should also spell out coverage limits, which is the maximum the insurance carrier will pay for a covered loss. The document should also identify your deductible, if any.
Because insurance carriers draft so many contracts, it is reasonable to expect the agreement to be crystal clear. Nonetheless, some ambiguity often exists.
How We Help with Coverage Disputes
Geyer Fuxa Tyler can assist policyholders who are struggling to get a claim approved. We have experience with:
- Your insurer might outright deny the claim as not covered by the policy or subject to an exclusion. We can review the insurance contract to see if their interpretation of the agreement is the best one. If not, then we can offer an alternate interpretation and negotiate for a settlement.
- Your carrier might accept a claim but define the scope of loss very narrowly. They do so to limit what they pay for the claim. We can raise objections in negotiation or mediation. We might also seek resolution through arbitration or appraisal.
- Bad faith acts. Your coverage dispute might involve simply trying to get an insurer to take a claim seriously. You cannot be ignored. It is bad faith for an insurer to delay investigation, claims processing, or payment without any justification.
Collecting Essential Information
Before calling our office, you should gather all important documents, including a copy of your insurance contract. You should also gather claim forms.
If an insurer has already denied a claim, then you should bring a copy of the denial notice. In fact, documentation of all communication between you and your carrier is helpful for understanding the dispute.
Some claimants communicate over the phone. It can be hard to piece together the conversation weeks later, but write down a summary the best you can.
We also want to see receipts, estimates, invoices, and other paperwork which supports the value of your claim. If you had to rent a hotel room for a week, then share a copy of your credit card statement.
Finding Legal Solutions to Coverage Disputes — Contact Our Sarasota Insurance Coverage Dispute Lawyers
Policyholders hope for a quick payment after submitting a claim. Unfortunately, disputes can delay resolution and cause financial distress. You need professional legal help. Contact us to speak with our Sarasota insurance coverage dispute lawyers.