Filing an insurance claim is a tedious and time-consuming process. There are a lot of different elements involved, and the hardest part for many people is understanding the laws and their rights surrounding insurance claims. In the state of Florida, policyholders (or insured parties) have every right to dispute a payout related to any insurance claim.
In fact, it goes one step further. Not only can you contest an insurance settlement or payout offer, but you also have the right to have your case reviewed by a third-party adjuster to determine if it was (or is being) appropriately paid. This is true regardless of whether it is a home insurance claim, car insurance settlement, or any other kind of payout.
Here’s what you need to know.
Arbitration Laws
Florida is one of the few remaining states that does not require insurers to settle disputes with arbitration or mediation. This can result in many consumers fighting for the claims they deserve in court and often spending a fortune doing so. Arbitration is a procedure that involves using a neutral third party to work through and settle a claim dispute of any kind.
Since this does not exist in Florida, you have every right to a private review of your insurance claim through the assistance of a public insurance adjuster. At On Target Claims, we can work on your behalf to ensure you’re getting a fair and reasonable payout.
The Initial Settlement Offer
The one thing many people don’t consider is that the settlement they are offered initially is not the maximum amount the insurer will pay. Far from it, in most cases. The first offer you get from the insurance company is an offer. You can accept or dispute it, although it’s recommended that you never accept the first offer you’re given.
It can be tempting to assume that your insurer is on your side and ready to protect you in the event of any claim. However, they also have to look out for themselves and their financial well-being, which often comes before anything else. What is your best option? Reach out to On Target Claims for dedicated assistance and support in contesting your insurance payout in Florida.
How Insurance Claim Payouts Are Calculated
Although the exact formulas will vary, all insurance settlements are calculated using the same information. Insurance companies will look at:
- What damages or losses were involved in the claim
- What covered damages or losses are included in the policy
- How much those damages cost in terms of property, injuries, and other expenses
- How much proof you have of the claim causing the damage
- Whether you have any deductibles or other liabilities
You can’t automatically say that car insurance claims are worth “X” amount without first doing some calculating. Even a straightforward claim with clear and obvious loss or damage requires careful calculation to determine what that loss means financially.
Can I Resolve the Situation Before Taking Legal Action?
Some people want to try to work with their insurance company, at least to a certain degree. We absolutely recommend that, and if we step in, that’s what we’ll do on your behalf. If you feel comfortable doing so, you can easily tell your insurer that you will not accept the settlement they offer and that you are seeking outside advice on how to proceed and what kind of settlement you are owed.
This will inform the insurer that you aren’t satisfied with the claim payout and let them know that you’re aware of your rights and responsibilities as a policyholder. As a result, they will be less likely to try to lowball you or take advantage of you in other ways.
You can also file a dispute with the Florida Department of Insurance. If they cannot resolve the situation, you can file a lawsuit and fight back to get your deserved compensation. Of course, this isn’t something that you should do on your own. Reach out to On Target Claims and find out how our public insurance adjusters can help.
Protecting Your Rights
As a policyholder and consumer, you have certain rights that come along with your insurance policy. You must do everything possible to protect those rights throughout the dispute process. This includes keeping detailed records and copies of all documents and any relevant information about the claim.
You will also want to consider working with a public insurance adjuster before you hire a lawyer to file a lawsuit. A public adjuster can work on your behalf to dispute a settlement with your insurer and get the compensation that you are owed. Most public adjusters work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t have to pay a dime until or unless they successfully recover a better settlement on your behalf.
Usually, a public insurance adjuster can handle Florida insurance disputes, so you won’t have to hire a lawyer or file a lawsuit. That can save a lot of time, money, and stress and ensure that you get the maximum payout for your claim, no matter the circumstances.
What the Claims and Dispute Processes Look Like
Information is your best friend when dealing with any insurance claim. Knowing what to expect can help alleviate a lot of stress and uncertainty. It can also help you get a better outcome in your case because you have the right knowledge and insights. To that end, here’s a glimpse of the claims process when you file a dispute. Although the details will be different, the general process is the same.
- File the claim with your insurance company.
- Provide all necessary documentation and evidence to prove your claim.
- Review the claim settlement that you are offered by the insurance company.
- If you are unsatisfied, let them know you will not accept that offer.
- Determine whether you need assistance and find a public insurance adjuster.
- In the (rare) event an adjuster can’t resolve your payout dispute, you can hire an attorney and file a lawsuit.
- Work with your adjuster or attorney to determine what an acceptable insurance payout in Florida would look like.
- Counter the insurance company’s offer with your payout amount and await a response.
- Repeat the process as needed until you arrive at an agreeable settlement amount.
This can take some time and savvy negotiating, so it’s always a good idea to work with someone with experience in the insurance dispute process. The public adjusters at On Target Claims can handle all manner of insurance payout in Florida disputes, no matter the cause, the claim type, or other details.
Reach out now to get a helping hand to guide you through the dispute process in Florida so that you’re not left facing the insurance company alone.
What About Natural Disasters?
Florida is no stranger to hurricanes and other weather anomalies that cause all manner of damage. When there is a major storm or event, that can lead to a huge influx of claims for insurance companies, that can create issues with timely responses and payout offers, mostly because insurers are inundated and trying to get through things as best they can.
In Florida, insurers have just seven calendar days to acknowledge the receipt of a claim. If hundreds or thousands of people file claims, this may not be feasible. In some cases, insurers may be forced to offer an estimate and provide an adjusted settlement offer later on when they have time to send someone out to review the damage.
The best thing you can do is notify your insurance company immediately that you will be filing a claim related to whatever natural disaster or event occurred, even if you’re not ready to start the claim filing process. That way, they will anticipate your submission and be more likely to respond promptly.
This is another area where having a public insurance adjuster on your side can benefit you. They can work on your behalf to get a fair settlement from the insurance company. An adjuster will give you a fair, honest evaluation of your claim and help you get that from the insurer, and nothing less. If you’ve got a claim related to natural disasters or so-called “acts of God,” contact On Target Claims now.
On Target Claims: Your Partner for Handling Insurance Payout in Florida
If you’re dealing with a Florida insurance claim and you aren’t satisfied with how things are going, you have options. One of those is to work with the team at On Target Claims. Not only will we walk you through the process and help you understand what to expect, but we can fight back against the insurance company when they try to pay less than you deserve.
This isn’t an easy process to undertake on your own, which is exactly why we’re here. While you’re taking care of your life and everything that entails, we’ll ensure that your claim gets the attention and consideration it deserves. Whether it’s a $5,000 claim or one worth $500,000, we’ll always fight for your rights and a maximum payout.
Contact On Target Claims to discuss your insurance claim today and find out how we can maximize your settlement so that you can get on with your life.
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