Property damage and injury claims don’t always go hand in hand. Sometimes your property is damaged and injuries aren’t present. Whether the damage is caused by an accident theft or a natural disaster, property owners typically want to recover compensation. Florida law allows property owners to submit a claim for repairs and/or replacements. So what are the common types of property damage in injury claims and how do you go about recovering compensation?
Common Types of Property Damage Claims in the Sunshine State
When you think of property damage vehicles often come to mind. You can be involved in a traffic accident and only sustain vehicle damage. A minor fender bender in a parking lot is a great example. However this isn’t the only type of claim for property damage being filed in Florida.
Natural Disasters
Florida sees plenty of natural disasters. Hurricanes tend to hit the Sunshine State annually and tornados aren’t exactly unheard of. Flooding and hailstorms can also cause extensive property damage, along with earthquakes and wildfires. Okay, so earthquakes and wildfires are relatively rare in Florida but they do count as natural disasters.
Claiming property damage from a natural disaster typically depends on your home or property owner’s insurance policy. Basic plans tend to only cover limited damage caused by tornados, hurricanes, and hailstorms. Floods and earthquakes are looked at as acts of God (nature) and the resulting damages aren’t recoverable. Here’s a fun fact about your basic homeowner’s insurance policy. Did you know your property damage is covered if a volcano suddenly erupts on your property? We know Florida isn’t exactly known for its active volcanoes but it’s nice to know you’re covered if the impossible happens.
Fire Damage
Chances are your insurance covers fire damage, even if you only have a basic policy. The problems start popping up when the fire’s cause comes into play. Most policies have coverage limitations and exceptions. A common exception is arson. If you purposefully start a fire that results in property damage, your insurance is probably going to deny your claim. However, if a contained blaze in a fireplace or firepit, for example, gets out of control. This is usually considered an accidental fire and the property damage is usually covered.
The best advice is to file a fire damage claim as soon as possible. You also want to comply with all insurance requirements. This is going to include answering questions from the insurance adjuster and providing plenty of supporting evidence. The official report from the fire department can go a long way toward supporting your property damage claim.
Water and Flood Damage
Before we dive into water damage, let’s cover flooding. Florida is prone to flooding, it’s something most residents dread. Your basic homeowner’s insurance policy isn’t going to cover flooding. Chances are even if you have a robust policy, flooding still isn’t covered. This isn’t limited just to Florida, it’s standard across the insurance industry. If you want flood coverage, you’re going to need a separate policy and premiums are usually steep.
Water damage from a burst pipe is different. Even if your home floods, the damage is still usually covered. As long as the water damage is a surprise or occurs unintentionally, you shouldn’t have a problem recovering compensation. Your policy should even cover water mitigation expenses along with repairs and property replacement. The insurance adjuster is going to want to inspect the scene before starting the claim process.
Mold and Mildew Damage
Don’t be surprised if your insurance policy only lists mold damage. Mildew isn’t always listed but it’s usually covered when mold is present. Getting rid of mold but leaving mildew behind doesn’t make a lot of sense for anyone.
Before you get ready to call your insurance company, figure out what’s causing the mold. The cause of the mold usually decides if insurance is covering the repairs. As long as the mold is caused by water damage, you’re usually covered. This includes burst pipes and leaky air conditioners. Insurance companies tend to look at mold as an extent of water damage. However, if the mold is caused by flooding like from a hurricane you’re probably not going to recover any compensation. Remember, your property insurance doesn’t cover flood damage.
Theft and Vandalism
Whether it’s theft or vandalism, you’re probably feeling upset and even a little violated. After all, someone came onto your property with the goal of causing damage. The first thing you should do is report the incident to the police. Your insurance provider is going to ask for a copy of the police report. The report is proof the incident occurred and you suffered property damage. Your next call should be to the insurance company to get the claim started.
Recovering compensation for theft shouldn’t be too difficult. This is standard coverage even if you only have renter’s insurance. Vandalism is also usually covered by property insurance. Something to keep in mind is to only list the property’s actual value on the claim. Your insurance isn’t going to pay the item’s sentimental value.
Accidental Property Damage is Usually Covered
Accidental property damage is a common claim, even though it’s one homeowners aren’t always keen to admit. After all, who wants to admit their accident is the reason they’re filing an insurance claim?
Whether the damage is the result of a DIY project gone wrong or a beloved pet decided to make their own doggie door, you should be able to recover compensation. To make the claim process go a little more smoothly make sure to have your insurance policy number ready. You should also take pictures of the damaged items and don’t throw anything away. Your insurance adjuster may want to inspect the damage.
Your Property Damage May Be Covered
Most types of property damage are covered by homeowner’s insurance. Even damage from a volcano is recoverable if you survive the eruption. Read your policy carefully before filing a claim. If you do run into problems then consult with an experienced Florida accident attorney.
