Jacksonville Insurance Law Blog

Do I have recourse if my disability claim is denied?

On behalf of Tyler & Hamilton, P.A. posted in denied insurance claims on Thursday, May 16, 2019.

Experiencing a disability can be devastating. Not only do you have the physical discomfort and emotional distress from your condition, but you also worry about how you will make ends meet if you are no longer able to work. It becomes even more worrying if your Social Security Disability claim is denied. You and other Florida residents may want to know about your options if you are having trouble making or appealing a claim.

According to the Social Security Administration, many lifelong disabilities can render someone unable to work and qualify for disability benefits. However, it is also common to have your initial claim denied. There are many reasons for a denial of a claim, such as the following:

Your disability is such that you can learn and perform another type of work.
There is insufficient medical evidence to support your claim.
You did not follow the prescribed treatment plan or cooperate with the SSA’s requests.
You had too many previous denials.

How do I prove storm damages to an insurer?

On behalf of Tyler & Hamilton, P.A. posted in insurance bad faith on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.

Many Florida homeowners understand that their lives could be upended by the arrival of a hurricane, most notably by the damage inflicted on their homes by the storm. But sometimes an insurance company does not want to pay the full amount to cover home repairs and may attempt to lowball a client with a lesser amount. That is why you should be ready to provide your insurer with documentation that proves your claims are valid.

According to The Nest, you should photograph the damage done to your home. If your roof took a hit from a hurricane, be sure to take pictures of it. These images will show your insurer the extent of the damage. You should also accumulate documented quotes from contractors who have come out to survey your home. Your insurer may underestimate how much contractors in your vicinity charge. Written quotes can help inform them otherwise.

The value of having homeowner's insurance for your house

On behalf of Tyler & Hamilton, P.A. posted in denied insurance claims on Sunday, April 7, 2019.

Preparing to buy a home in Florida can be both exciting and unnerving. With so many of your assets and resources going toward such a significant investment, chances are you want to take precautions to keep your home safe and protected. At Tyler & Hamilton, P.A. Attorneys at Law, we are committed to being advocates for people who are facing unfair outcomes resulting from a dispute with their insurance company.

Homeowner's insurance is a crucial part of planning ahead and taking preventative measures to protect your home. According to quickenloans.com, homeowner's insurance can provide some protection from liability claims if people who visit your property are injured during their visit. Other benefits include financial assistance if your home is damaged, assistance if your property has been stolen and if other facilities on your property are damaged such as a garage or backyard shed.

What is flood insurance?

On behalf of Tyler & Hamilton, P.A. posted in property insurance issues on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

Insurance can be a very wonderful thing if you experience a loss. Most people do not have the disposable income to handle a loss all on their own, which is why they have insurance. Insurance will pay for damages for you, so you can recoup whatever it is you lost. However, insurance is not a magic wand. It only covers the things specified in your policy. What you may not realize is that when it comes to your renter's or homeowner's insurance in Florida, you likely do not have flood insurance coverage.

Flood insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute, is always separate from your regular insurance policy. Standard polices will not include it because you must buy it as a separate policy. Standard policies may cover water damage from other situations, but they do not cover flooding from an outside source, such as a storm or a river.

What constitutes insurance bad faith?

On behalf of Tyler & Hamilton, P.A. posted in insurance bad faith on Sunday, March 17, 2019.

If you are like most Floridians, you likely have several insurance policies, such as for your car, your home, etc. Naturally you expect your insurance carrier(s) to pay you up to your policy limits if you make a claim. You likewise expect your carrier(s) to defend you if someone sues you and to pay the person if (s)he wins the lawsuit, again up to the limits of your policy.

Unfortunately, however, one or more of your insurance carriers may not pay up and/or properly defend you when the time comes. If this happens, you may be able to sue the company for bad faith.

What do I do if my health insurance claim is denied?

On behalf of Tyler & Hamilton, P.A. posted in denied insurance claims on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

People of all ages in Florida rely on health insurance to give them piece of mind. You know that whether you have a medical emergency or a scheduled appointment, a checkup or a big surgery, your health insurance company will foot the bill.

But, what happens when they do not? What if after filing a claim with your health insurance company, your claim is denied? What then? Try not to panic. Take a deep breath and check out the tips below to see if you might be able to rectify the situation.

Will insurance companies cover older homes?

On behalf of Tyler & Hamilton, P.A. posted in property insurance issues on Thursday, February 14, 2019.

It is the aftermath of a hurricane. Your Jacksonville home has taken some damage, but since you have property insurance, you are feeling confident that you can repair your house and get on with your life. However, if you own an old home, you might find that your insurance policy is not willing to fully cover your repairs. To understand why these issues may occur, it helps to know whether insurance companies are eager to cover damages inflicted on older houses.

The Insurance Information Institute explains that not all insurance companies are willing to fully insure the replacement building costs of older homes. The problem is that restoring particular features of older homes may be too expensive. Some houses have distinct features like moldings in the walls or ceilings which will cost a lot to recreate if they are damaged or destroyed.

What should I do if involved in an accident?

On behalf of Tyler & Hamilton, P.A. posted in denied insurance claims on Sunday, February 3, 2019.

While making a claim to your insurance company is relatively straightforward, the steps you take after an accident are critical. Your actions will dictate whether your claim is approved or denied, and a denied claim may result in you paying for the accident out of pocket. The Balance offers the following advice on what to do when involved in a car accident.

Call for help

Checking your policy for sinkhole coverage

On behalf of Tyler & Hamilton, P.A. posted in denied insurance claims on Sunday, January 20, 2019.

For Florida property owners, the idea of a sinkhole opening at their location is a nightmare. Unfortunately, it may also be a reasonable fear, based on news reports over the last few years. If you have homeowner’s or property insurance, you may assume you are covered if the unthinkable happens. At Tyler & Hamilton, P.A, we often assist clients whose insurance claims were denied or were offered insufficient compensation for their loss.

Property Casualty 360° reports that some sinkholes appear with no warning, while others may show signs that they are developing. Those that occur on a distant o part of the property may go unnoticed until they expand to a frequently used area. When water collects underground, with no external drainage, it begins eroding the bedrock. This may happen as a result of many situations, including ruptured sewer lines or seismic activity. Over time, underground spaces and caverns form, making the area above unstable. Sinkholes may also develop in areas where there is drilling or mining. Signs that something may be wrong underground include dying or wilting vegetation in an area where it is green and thriving everywhere else. New ponds, slumping trees and fence posts or cracked foundations may also indicate issues.

What are some examples of insurance bad faith?

On behalf of Tyler & Hamilton, P.A. posted in insurance bad faith on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

While you would expect your insurance company to be there for you after an accident or injury, this isn’t always the case. In fact, some insurance companies in Florida will deny valid claims made by the insured with absolutely no legitimate reason for doing so. HG.org offers the following examples of bad faith insurance practices, which will help you identify any issues when making a claim to your insurance company.

Your insurance company must respond to your claim in a timely manner. Failure to do so is a type of bad faith, and usually entails the company waiting an inordinate amount of time to let the policyholder know whether the claim had been approved. Companies are also obligated to perform a thorough inspection regarding the claim, and if the necessary work is not performed a company may be acting negligently.