Property Insurance Claims
We will help you get the compensation you deserve in all these property insurance claims.
Florida is no stranger to natural disasters. Hurricanes, floods, tornados, heat waves, hail, wind and rainstorms—the elements can be brutal here. Not to mention so can plumbing leaks, water losses, roof leaks, theft, vandalism, and other unfortunate events. And as any local property owner knows, Florida’s weather can wreak havoc on one’s home and land. Not to mention so can theft, vandalism, and other unfortunate events. This is why we have dedicated our entire practice to property insurance claims. Your home is important to you, and when your insurance company doesn’t come through when it should, you deserve other options.
Hurricane or Windstorm Damage
Contemplating the huge payouts to adjust the high volume of incoming claims after a hurricane, insurance companies can delay adjustment or payment of your claim. They can also search for any conceivable reason to deny payment. Do not fall victim to these tactics—allow us to step in and fight for the repairs and restoration you deserve, so you can focus on the health and happiness of your loved ones after a traumatic storm passes.
Water Damage
Insurance companies will often look for loopholes in the terms and conditions to justify a complete denial on these claims, or state that only parts of the potentially grotesque damage to your property actually resulted from the “covered loss” to justify a low-ball payment. We will take action quickly when we see the presence of water damage, which can have potentially serious consequences if left unrepaired, so that you can walk into a clean property after a long day and breathe easily.
Roof Leaks
We will assist you in evaluating the fair and objective value of the damage, and what it would take to restore your roof. We will also examine your policy to see if you are owed additional compensation for interior or structural damage, or living expenses if you need to move out of your home while repairs take place. Let us address any deficiencies in your roofing system before they escalate and wreck havoc to the walls and ceilings of your property. Let us help you feel secure beneath a dependable roof fast.
Fire Damage
We have seen fires strike in kitchens, garages, and bedrooms, and we know how traumatic a single flame can become. Let us extinguish the smoke and stress that follow a fire in your property, and advocate on your behalf when an insurance company does not pay what you need to repair the damage.
Plumbing Failures
A plumbing failure can obligate your insurance company to pay for a complete replacement of your pipes, through extensive trenching that may force you to replace your flooring and baseboards, among other interior damages. We will be there to evaluate whether your insurance company is contractually required to restore your plumbing system or interior damages. We will fight on your behalf, so that your safety and sanity are promptly restored too.
We have been helping Florida policyholders since 2016.
As a former defense attorney, Samuel witnessed insurance companies routinely underpay claims and find any reason to deny coverage. The Law Offices of S.J.C. is a full-service insurance law firm that helps Floridians resolve complicated and contentious property insurance claims. While we can't prevent natural disasters and other mishaps from damaging or destroying your property, we can help you with everything that comes after. Our Miami legal team possesses the resources, know-how, and drive to ensure your insurance company upholds their end of your mutual policy agreement and pays you the fair compensation you rightfully deserve.
Samuel J. Cili, Esq.
Samuel was born and raised right here in south Florida. Samuel balances a litigation style that is equal parts aggressive, courteous, and honest. Samuel is one of only a few who has successfully litigated claims though Trial. He practices throughout South Florida in Miami-Dade, Broward, West Palm Beach, Monroe, Lee, Martin, Hillsborough counties, amongst others. He has managed attorneys handling hundreds of insurance claims for one of Florida’s largest insurance carriers, and personally negotiated over a million dollars worth of property insurance claim settlements.
Frequently Asked Questions
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My property suffered a loss. What should I do?First and foremost, be honest. As a policyholder, being truthful in your insurance application and report of a loss is critical to your right to coverage and compensation! Your specific duties may depend on your individual policy, but most policies will require that you give prompt notice of loss, allow the insurance company to inspect the property, keep defective parts or components, prepare an inventory of damaged items, cooperate in any investigation (including an Examination Under Oath), and submit a signed Sworn Proof of Loss statement, among other duties. To maximize your recovery, we recommend that you contact your insurance company immediately upon seeing damage. Document any damage you see with photographs or videos, and capture any broken pipes, fallen tiles, water damage, affected personal property, or anything else you can document to evidence the loss. If you have documentation of what your property looked like before the loss, save that too, as it will help show the insurance company the extent of your damage. Prepare an inventory of damaged personal property to comprehensively value your financial loss. Do not throw away any damaged items, unless necessary for your safety. Obtain your own repair estimates so you know exactly how much it will cost to address your loss, and whether the insurance company is paying you a fair dollar figure. If you see that you have not been paid fairly for your loss, or your claim was unfairly denied, let The Law Offices of SJC step in. With absolutely zero upfront cost or out of pocket expense to you, we will pursue your claim thoughtfully and aggressively to obtain the maximum recovery.
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What can The Law Offices of SJC do to help me recover under my insurance policy?After collectively negotiating millions of dollars of property damage settlements, and litigating countless denied and underpaid claims, attorney Samuel J. Cili has significant experience disputing policy language and fighting for coverage. He will review the terms of your policy and strategize the most fair and effective method to maximize the value of your claim. As lawyers, The Law Offices of SJC work with public adjusters, loss consultants, expert general contractors, and expert engineers to understand the cause and origin of your damage and the cost to conduct necessary repairs. We will also examine the insurance company’s process of handling your claim to determine if the insurance company committed bad faith, which will affect your financial recovery. After investigating your damage to determine the fair and objective value of your loss, we will negotiate the highest possible settlement with your insurance company. If the insurance company does not agree to pay you what you are justly owed, we will file a formal lawsuit and seek court intervention to obtain your maximum legal recovery. Our passion for people, conversation, and the law helps us negotiate courteously with opposing counsel and obtain quick and favorable resolutions. At the same time, if your rights as a policyholder are disrespected, we have the skills and resources to litigate aggressively from the inception of a lawsuit to trial.
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Sounds great. But what if I cannot afford an attorney?Not only are we offering you a free consultation, but we represent you on a contingency basis. This means we do not get paid unless we get you paid first! Specifically, we can recover our fees directly from the insurance company based on the governing laws in the State of Florida. Don’t be overwhelmed by the costs associated with fighting for your claim. Filing a lawsuit against your insurance company in Florida can cost over $500.00. Additionally, there may be other costs associated with hiring contractors, engineers, or other experts necessary to move your claim forward. We pay all the costs associated with litigating your claim and only recover those costs if, and after, we recover for you first.
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I reported my claim to the insurance company and they told me that my claim is denied. What does that mean and what can I do?Insurance companies routinely employ unfair tactics to deprive policyholders of their fair recovery under the policy, including citing to preexisting damage, denying payment for repairs they deem unnecessary, insisting that policyholders provide nonexistent documentation, or citing to obscure policy exclusions to deny coverage for the damage even when another policy provision provides coverage. The Property People can evaluate the language of your policy and the damage you suffered to assess what you are rightfully owed and to pursue your maximum recovery. We are happy to analyze and address the process of disputing and litigating your denied property insurance claim in a free consultation, at your convenience.
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I reported my claim to the insurance company, but they did not give me enough money to make repairs. How do I get the money I need to repair my property?If the funds that you were provided by your insurance company are not sufficient to restore your property to the pre-loss condition, or you have individually obtained higher estimates to repair the damage, which exceed what you were paid by your insurance companies, we will step in to demand the amount you need. By meticulously comparing the insurance company’s estimate with other estimates reflecting the scope and price of your loss, along with other documentation of your damage, we will prepare a thorough and comprehensive demand that explains how much more money the insurance company must pay to address your loss. By supporting our demand with legal analysis, communicating consistently with the insurance company, and negotiating for your recovery from an educated standpoint, we maximize the value of your settlement. We are happy to analyze and address the process of disputing and litigating your underpaid property insurance claim in a free consultation, at your convenience.
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“Free representation” sounds too good to be true. I do not have to pay The Law Offices of SJC anything?You really do not have to pay us! We work with you on a contingency basis, which means that you are not responsible for any initial costs and fees necessary for your recovery. We are passionate about getting your property damage fixed fairly and efficiently, and we only get paid unless you get paid first. Additionally, pursuant Florida Statutes §§627.428 and 57.041, we can often recover our legal costs and fees directly from the insurance company. The Property People know how stressful it is to experience property damage. The insurance claim and litigation processes can feel like an uphill battle without the right representation. We are committed to guiding you through this intimidating experience, and we will always put your personal and financial needs first.
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