Florida is one state where homeowners can reopen a closed home insurance claim after it has been settled. However, there is a statute of limitations, which is currently five years. If you wait until after this period of time, then your claim will be considered officially closed and cannot be reopened.
There can be several reasons why you may need to reopen a closed claim, including:
- Your original estimate and settlement offer did not cover other damages you discovered later. For instance, your roof was damaged and, after repairs began, your contractor noticed the roof support beams were also damaged but were not listed on the original claim.
- Your original claim was denied. Just because your claim was denied does not always mean your insurance company was right in its decision.
- The amount reimbursed by the homeowner’s insurance company was paid at actual costs, and you have replacement cost coverage. For example, you were reimbursed $200 to replace a 55” LED TV when you should have received $1000.
While the option to reopen claims is there, it is best to try to avoid reopening a claim whenever possible. The process can be tedious and time-consuming. Plus, your insurance company will scrutinize every detail. Not to mention, their adjuster may be more inclined to lowball any additional amount since you just received a payout.
Tips for Getting the Best Homeowner’s Insurance Claim Payout
You have filed a homeowner’s insurance claim for damage to your property, such as storm damage, fire damage, mold damage, water damage, vandalism, or theft. Your insurance company sends an adjuster out to evaluate the damages.
Afterward, you receive an offer for your damages. Initially, you might look at the amount and assume it is a fair offer. Yet this could be a big mistake. At this point, you need to decide if the offer is worth accepting. Before you accept the offer, you will want to do the following:
- Compare the amounts for each type of damage being offered and the amounts you were quoted by your contractor, as well as against your policy. If these amounts do not match or there is a big difference between the two, do not accept the claim offer.
- Before signing the payout offer, it is better to get a second opinion by consulting with an insurance claims lawyer. Our law firm offers free consultations so you can find out whether you are getting a fair offer or if you could potentially get a much bigger payout with our help. Plus, we don’t get paid until we secure a payout.
- After meeting with your lawyer, if they agree the offer is fair, then accept the payout offer. If they believe your insurance company is lowballing you, then you should let them represent you in negotiating a better payout amount.
Last, if you ever have a reason to open your homeowner’s insurance claim, always consult with our law firm. We can help make the process easier and ensure you get the best payout. Please feel free to contact Silver, Bass & Brams at 1-888-897-1786 to schedule your free consultation today!
