Insurance disputes don’t only arise from property damage. Automotive, motorcycle, and liability claims are frequently denied, underpaid, or mishandled by insurers — leaving policyholders with out-of-pocket losses they never anticipated.
Hurricanes and tropical storms don’t just damage homes — they flood and destroy vehicles and boats too. When your car, truck, or vessel is damaged by storm surge, flooding, or wind, insurance companies often underestimate the repair cost, or the actual cash value (ACV) owed if the vehicle or vessel is a total loss. We help policyholders push back on both.
How Insurers Undervalue Vehicle & Vessel Claims
Insurers sometimes underestimate the initial repair estimate, adding supplemental repair costs only after work has already begun. And when a vehicle or vessel is deemed a total loss, insurers can undervalue it, reducing what they pay out.
We work with policyholders to identify and challenge these tactics, ensuring you receive the full value you’re owed under your policy — whether that means a fair repair estimate or fair market value for your vehicle or vessel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do if my insurer undervalues my car, truck, or boat after a storm?
If your insurer declares a car or truck a total loss, ask how it calculated the vehicle’s value and request the valuation documentation. Compare the insurer’s valuation with comparable vehicles in your local market, taking into account factors such as mileage, condition, equipment, and options.
For repairable vehicles, obtain your own written repair estimate and compare it with the insurer’s estimate. Keep photographs, estimates, receipts, and other claim documents.
Boat and other vessel claims may be subject to different policy terms and valuation provisions, so review the policy carefully rather than assuming the same rules that apply to automobiles also apply to a vessel.
If you believe your insurer has undervalued your property or underestimated the cost of repairs, an attorney can review the valuation, the policy, and the insurer’s estimate. Contact us or call 727.896.7777 for a free consultation.
What can I do if my insurance claim was denied?
A denial does not necessarily mean your claim is over. Insurers deny claims because they believe the damage is excluded, came from wear and tear, happened before the policy period, was reported too late, or was caused by something other than a covered event. An attorney can review the denial letter, your policy, inspection reports, estimates, photographs, and other evidence to decide whether the insurer’s decision can be challenged. Contact us or call 727.896.7777 for a free consultation.
What if my insurance company paid me less than it will cost to repair my property?
A payment is not final just because a check was issued. Underpayments often come from a low estimate, damage the adjuster missed, depreciation withheld from the payment, or a disagreement over what caused the damage. Gather your policy, the insurer’s estimate, contractor estimates, photographs, and your emails and letters with the insurer. If you find more damage later, it may be a supplemental claim, which has its own deadline (see the filing deadlines in our FAQs). An attorney can compare the insurer’s estimate with the real cost of repair.
How long do I have to file a property insurance claim in Florida?
Florida law generally requires you to notify your insurance company of a new or reopened property insurance claim within one year after the date of loss. A supplemental claim for additional loss or damage from the same peril generally must be reported within 18 months after the date of loss. See Fla. Stat. § 627.70132.
Special rules may apply in certain situations, including condominium loss-assessment claims and claims involving servicemembers deployed to a combat zone or combat-support posting. For hurricanes and certain other weather events, Florida law also has specific rules for determining the date of loss.
Your insurance policy may impose additional notice requirements, so you should report property damage to your insurer as soon as reasonably possible. Waiting to report a loss can create problems with your claim even if the statutory deadline has not yet expired.
How much does it cost to hire a property insurance attorney?
We handle property insurance claims on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay attorney’s fees upfront. We advance the costs of pursuing your claim, and we are paid only if we obtain a recovery for you.
If we recover money on your behalf, our attorney’s fee is a percentage of the recovery, and our fee and case costs are paid from the recovery in accordance with the written contingency fee agreement. If we do not obtain a recovery for you, you owe us nothing.
We do not charge a fee or deduct costs from insurance payments you received before hiring our firm.
Your initial consultation is free. Before you decide to hire us, we will explain the contingency fee agreement, including how attorney’s fees and costs are calculated. Contact us or call 727.896.7777 for a free consultation.
Contact Us to Discuss Your Auto or Liability Claim
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