Tampa Insurance Dispute Lawyer
Advocating for homeowners and flood insurance policy holders in central Florida
Florida is known as the Sunshine State, but Floridians know that when the sun doesn’t shine, they could be in for very rough weather. Coastal residents try to minimize their risks by purchasing insurance for their homes, but after the storm passes, they often encounter resistance from the companies that sold them the policies. If you’ve been getting the runaround from your insurer, The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. can help. Whether it’s a low-ball settlement offer or a denial of your claim, our experienced Tampa insurance dispute lawyers can help you resolve your dispute quickly and cost-effectively. If we find evidence of bad faith, we may even be able to secure damages in excess of your losses.
Coverage disputes and claim negotiations in Florida
Our firm manages disputes related to all types of insurance policies, but especially with homeowners’ and flood insurance following a major storm event. There are two basic areas of contention in these disputes:
Lack of coverage — In a coverage dispute, the insurance company claims that your policy does not cover the type of loss you experienced. Resolving this dispute takes a precise knowledge of insurance language and how the courts have interpreted that language in previous cases.
Amount of claim — In this case, the insurance company admits that you are covered, but disputes the value of the property you lost. A proper accounting of your losses can usually resolve this type of dispute, unless the company is acting in bad faith.
Insurance policies are complex instruments, which is why it’s always prudent to present your policy to a qualified insurance attorney for review, to ensure that the coverage you were promised is actually contained in the policy language. It is important to note that homeowners’ policies do not protect against flooding; homeowners must purchase flood insurance separately.
Florida’s bad faith law allows for punitive damages
In 1982, Florida became the first state to allow private lawsuits against insurance companies that violated the federal Unfair Insurance Trade Practices Act. This means that Floridians may collect more than the value of their claim; they can recover punitive damages (amounts set by the court to punish the wrongdoing of an insurance company), if that company did one of the following:
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- Acted willfully, wantonly and maliciously with respect to your damage claim
- Acted in reckless disregard of your rights as a policy holder
Signs that your insurance company acted in bad faith can include:
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- Failing to evaluate your claim in a timely manner
- Unreasonably denying your claim
- Making an unreasonably low settlement offer
- Failing to complete the investigation or consider pertinent facts
- Using intimidation tactics to get you to settle
Our attorneys have dealt with insurance companies to settle numerous property claims, and are adept at recognizing and proving bad faith.
Call our Tampa insurance dispute lawyers today to discuss your insurance policy dispute
As a policy holder you have a right to fair treatment from your insurance company, let our Tampa insurance dispute lawyers help. If you suspect your insurer is acting unreasonably, The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. can help settle your claim for what it’s truly worth. Call us today at 813-217-5715 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
