Los Angeles Commercial Property Insurance Claims Lawyer

Commercial Property Insurance Claims Attorney in Los Angeles, CA

If you own a business, it is probably very important to you to protect that investment. Commercial property insurance is supposed to help you safeguard what you need to run your business, but sometimes, insurance companies fail to follow through on their promises. If you are in the Los Angeles area and you need help with a claim, start by reaching out to a Los Angeles commercial property insurance claims lawyer.

About Shaver Legal

At Shaver Legal, we are dedicated to helping our clients navigate challenges with their insurance companies. We understand the weight of these situations for our clients, and we pride ourselves on employing our experience and knowledge of California insurance law to advocate for them.

With our office conveniently located in Riverside, we are easily accessible for most of our Los Angeles clients. We are often seen as one of the final options for those who are getting taken advantage of by large insurance companies.

What Can Commercial Property Insurance Cover in California?

As of Q3, 2025, Los Angeles County had 604,743 private establishments across all industries, necessitating a large number of commercial property insurance policies. Policies can be unique to individual businesses, but there are several basic coverage areas that may appear in commercial property policies:

• Structural damage. If a business owns a commercial property, the commercial property insurance pays for damage that occurs as a result of a covered event.
• Contents. Whether the business owns the building or not, commercial property insurance covers business-related possessions such as furniture, computers, production equipment, and other items related to the business’s operations. Policies can also cover property owned by the business’s customers.
• Business interruption. Some commercial property insurance policies include coverage for lost revenue resulting from damage to your property.

Types of Commercial Property Insurance Policies

Not all insurance policies are created equal, and the breadth of coverage can vary significantly by policy type. The following are the basic types of commercial property insurance coverage:

• Basic named perils. With this type of policy, coverage is limited to damage caused by events that are specifically listed in the policy. If you need to file a claim, you must demonstrate that the damages you are claiming fit under a named peril.
• Broad form. This kind of coverage includes everything listed in basic named-perils coverage, plus several additional possible events.
• Special form. Instead of naming covered events, a special form of coverage policy names events that are specifically not covered. If the cause of the damage is not included in the policy, it is covered. 

Common Reasons for Commercial Property Insurance Claims in California

Commercial property insurance claims can arise from a wide variety of scenarios.The following are some basic examples of reasons people might file a claim:

• Fire damage. Fire is incredibly destructive and of particular concern to business owners in wildfire-prone areas like Southern California. Policies usually cover physical damage from the fire itself as well as smoke damage.
• Water damage. Policies usually cover water damage as long as it was not caused by a hurricane or a flood. Roof leaks, burst pipes, and faulty appliances can all cause water damage.
• Wind damage. Wind can easily cause structural damage to a commercial property, tearing shingles from roofs or causing branches to fall. 
• Burglary and theft. Burglaries and robberies are a reasonable worry for business owners, as business property can be expensive and is often left in empty buildings overnight. Commercial property insurance usually covers damage like broken windows as well as stolen items.  

Hire a Commercial Property Insurance Claims Lawyer

If you have experienced damage or loss that should be covered by your commercial property insurance, the first step toward financial recovery is filing a claim. However, it is advisable to hire a Los Angeles commercial property insurance claims lawyer before you make contact with your insurance company.

Insurance companies are, first and foremost, businesses. Their goal is to make money, and sometimes they deny, underpay, or delay payment of claims to protect their own financial interests. If you find yourself in that situation, your attorney can help you push back against the adverse decision.

If the company continues to deny your claim, your attorney can file a bad faith insurance claim or a breach of contract claim with the court system on your behalf and participate in negotiations with the aim of reaching a satisfactory settlement. Some cases ultimately go to court. If this happens for your claim, your attorney can represent you there, too.

FAQs About Commercial Property Insurance Claims Law

Do Insurance Companies Have to Respond to Claims in California?

Yes, insurance companies are legally required to respond to claims in California. Even before deciding on a claim, companies are required to notify claimants that their claims have been received. Under Section 2695.5 of the California Code of Regulations, insurance companies have 15 days from the date they receive a claim to acknowledge it.

Does Commercial Property Insurance Cover Earthquakes in California?

No, commercial property insurance usually does not cover damage resulting from earthquakes in California. It also does not usually cover damage from floods, tsunamis, or hurricanes. If a property owner wants coverage for these events, they must usually purchase a separate policy or an add-on to the basic commercial property policy.

What if Someone Vandalizes My Building?

If you own a commercial building and someone vandalizes it, your commercial property insurance policy likely includes coverage to take care of cleaning or repairs. Vandalism, such as graffiti, can be considered physical property damage. However, it is always important to check your policy for specifics to make sure you are covered. 

Is Mold Usually Covered Under Commercial Property Insurance?

Mold might be covered by a commercial property insurance policy, depending on why the mold is there. If the mold is the result of another covered event, it is often included in the coverage. If, on the other hand, the mold is the result of a flood, hurricane, poor maintenance, or something else not covered by the policy, it is likely not covered.

Need Representation? Contact Shaver Legal

If you are in a standoff with your insurance company over a commercial property insurance claim, you don’t have to take no for an answer just because it comes from a large corporation. At Shaver Legal, we are prepared to help you face this challenge head-on. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.