Los Angeles Homeowner's Insurance Attorney
Insurance companies will usually offer to send an adjustor out right away after your home has suffered significant damage from a fire, storm, water or earthquake. However, they won't tell you how to protect your investment to obtain full replacement value for your home when filing an insurance claim. Our attorneys, at the Law Office of Mark A. Brifman in Los Angeles, explain how to file a homeowner's insurance claim:
1. Before you have an insurance claim
Everything in your home should be documented. You might really own five computers and $20,000 worth of clothing, but without pictures your insurance company will tend to disbelieve you. Open the drawers and cabinets and videotape and photograph everything.
2. Secure your property
After everyone is safe and out of your home, take what steps are necessary to secure your property. If your home was flooded, get it dried out. If you had a fire, put a fence around your house so vandals can't get in. If people can get into your home, remove personal property and store it safely.f
3. Assess the damages
Don't wait for the insurance company to do this. Our attorneys maintain a network of experts to assist you in assessing the damage to your home. We work closely with experts from a variety of fields, including:
- Engineers
- Architects
- Contractors
- Personal property appraisers
- Public Insurance Adjustors
- Geologists
They will assess the damage and figure out what it will really cost to repair or replace your home. An independent estimate can be vastly different from an insurance adjustor's estimate. While the experts are assessing the damage, you can feel confident knowing that you have an experienced team on your side. Contact our attorneys today, at the Law Office of Mark A. Brifman.
4. Present your insurance company with proof of loss
In California, your insurance company will have 30 days to respond. This will usually begin a negotiation with your insurance company over the value of your claim. Do not settle for less than you will need to properly repair or replace your home.
5. When you and your insurance company do not agree
In a small percentage of cases, you will not be able to agree with your insurance company. All California homeowner policies contain provisions setting forth the procedures to be followed when you and your insurance company don't agree. One procedure is called an appraisal hearing. The sole purpose of this hearing is to fix a dollar amount to your loss. You do not want to handle this process yourself. Our attorneys have the expertise and the network of experts necessary to prevail at your appraisal hearing.
6. To sue or not to sue
After the appraisal hearing regarding the damage has concluded, you may have a further decision to make: did your insurance company act in bad faith in handling your claim? Our experience and network of experts (from appraisers to geologists) can help you determine whether to file a bad faith claim against your insurer. In our view, engaging in a lawsuit should be the last resort, however, sometimes this is the only way to recover the losses that you are entitled to. Do not let the insurance companies misbehave with impunity. Contact the Law Office of Mark A. Brifman and retain the benefits and knowledge of our experienced and respected attorneys.
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Contact the Law Office of Mark A. Brifman to speak with a Los Angeles insurance law attorney about how to file an insurance claim.
