Many factors go into determining how long a home insurance claim takes. The timeline can range from a few weeks to many months. For example, if there was a widespread natural disaster, it could take longer for the insurer to get through all of the claims related to that event than if just one person submitted a claim for vandalism. However, there are certain benchmarks that keep the claim on track.
If you want assistance with the claims process, regardless of what stage you’re in, you may benefit from hiring a Florida homeowner insurance lawyer on our team. We can follow up with the insurance company and help ensure your claim moves along.
A Generic Timeline of Home Insurance Claims
How long you have to file a home insurance claim depends on the nature of your claim, as well as the conditions in your policy. However, Florida Statutes § 627.70132 says that most people have up to a year from the day of loss to submit a claim. Failure to comply with this deadline could give the insurance company a free license to deny your claim and refuse to pay it out.
Once you’ve submitted your claim, your insurance company must follow certain deadlines. For example, they have seven days to acknowledge receipt, according to the Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights. The insurer has 60 days to tell you if they have approved or denied your claim and, if the claim is accepted, to pay what you are owed. If they miss the deadline, they owe you interest on your claim.
Things That Could Delay Your Home Insurance Claim
It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to take longer than you might expect to acknowledge, approve, deny, and/or pay out your claim. Understanding their possible reasoning prior to submitting your claim could help you avoid delays. Common causes include:
- Many people are filing claims simultaneously after a widespread natural disaster, like a hurricane or tropical storm. With so many claims to process, it might take the insurer longer to get to yours.
- They have questions about the validity of the claim and want to further investigate the cause and damages.
- The adjuster may say that you have insufficient documentation and request more information before making a decision.
In some cases, an insurance company might deny a claim altogether. They may assert that you weren’t prepared or didn’t keep up with the maintenance of the home. Alternatively, they could say that you don’t have the correct or adequate coverage for what you’re claiming. Having to appeal a denial prolongs the claims process.
We can learn more about the dispute or denial of your claim and file an appeal. Sometimes, we may find that the insurer’s explanation is unreasonable and that they acted in bad faith. In that case, one of our Florida bad faith insurance lawyers can combat these unfair tactics and fight for fair coverage on your behalf.
Act Immediately After Your Home Is Damaged
Most, if not all, insurance companies require immediate notification of damage to their policyholders’ properties. Failing to do so could result in penalties, including rejection of a claim. Not only will promptly informing the insurer fulfill your obligations, but it will also help kickstart the claims process.
Once the scene is stable and you’re safe, you can start gathering evidence to build your claim. It’s best to do it sooner rather than later so that you can provide the clearest, most comprehensive view of the damage and how it has affected your home. Examples of tasks you can complete include:
- File a police report at your local precinct, which is usually necessary in the case of theft and vandalism.
- Snap pictures of all damages, as a whole and individually.
- Make temporary repairs, such as a tarp over a leak in the roof.
- Video the damage and tell the story of what happened and the extent of the damage.
- Have a professional come out to the property and provide a full assessment of the damage.
- Maintain a record of all the documentation (e.g., receipts, invoices, repair estimates) pertaining to repairing or replacing the losses.
One of the Florida property damage lawyers on our team can compile all this information and submit it along with your claim. We may even suggest you include other forms of documentation, depending on your policy terms and damages. You can count on us to help you prepare and pursue your case, no matter how long your home insurance claim takes.
What Our Home Insurance Claims Lawyers Can Do to Help You
Our legal team understands how these insurance processes work and how to fight for what our clients need to move forward. When one of our attorneys takes charge of your case, you can expect us to work on these tasks:
- Studying the terms and conditions of your home insurance policy
- Determining your eligibility for different types of coverage
- Handling communication with the insurance company
- Creating an evidence file
- Fighting for a fair settlement
- Representing you in court, if needed
Most cases settle out of court, but we’re prepared to go all the way to trial if that’s the best route for you.
When we begin your case, we might be able to provide an estimate of how long your home insurance claim will take, but we are always prepared if unexpected complications arise. Our legal team keeps clients informed throughout the process so they know what is happening with their claims.
Learn More About How Long it Takes for a Home Insurance Claim to Resolve
Our insurance attorneys strive to keep your home insurance claim moving as smoothly as possible so you can get the compensation you need to make your home feel like home again. No matter how long it takes, we can help you resolve your claim.
Reach out to GED Lawyers today for a free consultation. We are available for appointments on the weekends and in the evenings.
