Do I Need A Property Damage Lawyer?

Are you wondering whether it’s worth hiring a property damage attorney? It’s important to know that property damage claims depend solely on the type of damage you face. For example, it may not be worth it for property damage attorneys to take on a vehicle accident claim if it didn’t involve injuries, as the price of motor vehicles is rarely high enough to justify their efforts.

Injury attorneys, on the other hand, are more likely to help in cases where vehicles crash into your business or home, causing severe damage, and when insurance companies don’t treat your case with the attention, it deserves. According to a competent personal injury lawyer, Myrtle Beach SC, here’s everything you need to know about property damage law.

Property Damages For Which You Need To Hire A Property Damage Lawyer

When it comes to damage to homes or businesses, property damage attorneys have the most significant impact on payouts. Homeowners and business owners typically hire attorneys to handle these matters:

• Sinking house ( subsidence )
• Building defects
• Destruction by a hurricane
• Damage due to storms
• Smoke or fire damage
• Water leaks and burst pipes
• Problems with the building foundation

Property owners’ records and business insurance coverage tend to be very complex. Understandably, most policyholders do not know what damages their insurance will cover. Fortunately, property damage attorneys can advise you on the cost of your policy to provide an unbiased evaluation of your insurer’s settlement offer.

Let us say you feel that your insurance provider is not correctly evaluating your claim or not treating you appropriately. In this case, property damage lawyers can help you pursue the damages you deserve for your property damage complaint.

​Bad Faith In Insurance: What Does It Mean?

In insurance bad faith actions, the policyholder may not receive the damages they are entitled. On the other hand, you may receive a much higher payout than you would have received if the insurer had acted in good faith.

United States law requires insurance companies to act in good faith. It means that they must treat their customers fairly. Large insurance companies go to considerable lengths to protect themselves by creating complex policies with dozens, if not hundreds, of limitations and exclusions. It implies that the insurance policy does not include a comprehensive list of possible damages. But that does not mean insurers never act in bad faith or sometimes offer their customers fair benefits and claims checks.

The human factor also complicates damage assessment. Loss assessors, among other key stakeholders, are responsible for the insurance provider’s objectives. It means they may make judgments that benefit the insurer but not the policyholders.

Do You Need To Repair Your House After Damage?

In any case, you should do everything you can to protect your house from future damage. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to have professionals repair the damage immediately, especially after a significant natural disaster in your area, such as a storm. If you do not do everything you can to prevent your building from being damaged, it can lead to further problems and diminish your claim. Do not forget to keep all receipts for the materials you purchased to make temporary repairs and restore your home, as you may be entitled to reimbursement for these expenses.

Bad Faith Insurance: Why Is It A Problem?

Insurance providers are for-profit companies, not non-profit organizations. Their decisions primarily aim to generate more profit, which usually means keeping revenues, i.e., the premiums you pay, high while limiting expenses, i.e., claims.

It is their greatest advantage to seek methods to diminish or dismiss your case. Most importantly, your decision to contact a property damage lawyer depends primarily on your circumstances or how your insurance company treats you.

How Much Does A Lawyer Charge For Property Damage?

Most experienced property damage attorneys work on the contingency fee model. You will only owe them legal fees if they successfully obtain a settlement for you. The insurance company may repay attorney fees in rare instances. Suppose an insurance company acted in bad faith or refused to provide adequate coverage even though you had a valid claim. In that case,  the insurer may have to pay all expenses and legal costs.

Fighting an insurer unwilling to reimburse you for the amount you are owed can be a complicated, time-consuming, and stressful process. Often, insurers intentionally complicate and prolong the process, hoping injured parties will give up and leave. Do not give up if your claim has been denied or reduced or the insurance company has not responded. Hire a competent attorney to evaluate your case and advise you.