Los Angeles Property Insurance Claims Lawyer

Property Insurance Claims Attorney in Los Angeles, CA

When you purchase property insurance, you expect that it will actually help you in the event of a loss. As some homeowners unfortunately find out, insurance companies are often more concerned about their bottom lines than about your recovery. If you are in the Los Angeles area and your insurance company is not holding up their end of the deal, you have legal options. Consult a Los Angeles property insurance claims lawyer to get started.

About Shaver Legal

At Shaver Legal, we help our clients push back against insurance companies when they delay, deny, or underpay claims that should be covered. We understand that legal issues can be stressful and overwhelming, but you can depend on our experience and knowledge of California insurance law to help you navigate this challenge.

Our office is located in Riverside, making us easily accessible for our Los Angeles clients. We are often seen as one of the only defenders of property owners against large insurance companies.

What Can Be Included in a Property Insurance Policy in Los Angeles?

According to the latest census, there are over 3.8 million people living in the city of Los Angeles. This large population translates to a vast amount of personal property and a high number of property insurance policies. A property insurance policy typically covers the following items:

• Your home. If you own your home, whether it is a single-family house, a townhouse, a condo, or a mobile home, it can be covered under property insurance. Insurance should cover damage to the foundation, roof, or walls caused by specific perils listed in the policy. Policies may also cover other structures on your property, such as sheds or gazebos.
• Your belongings. Property insurance also covers the belongings inside your home. If you have particularly valuable items you wish to insure, those should be included separately in your policy. For people who rent their homes, renters’ insurance policies can cover the contents of a home, even though they have nothing to do with the structure itself.
• Personal liability. If someone is injured on your property, you can be held liable for their losses. Property insurance policies cover medical expenses and other damages for these situations.

Common Reasons for Property Insurance Claims in California

Any number of scenarios can lead to property insurance claims, but several are relatively common. Here are a few examples:

• Water damage. Roof leaks, burst pipes, and other non-weather-related water damage scenarios are usually covered under property insurance policies.
• Fire. Fires are always a concern for homeowners, but this is especially true in wildfire-prone states like California. Around 2 million residences in the state are located in elevated risk areas.
• Wind. The power of wind is often underestimated, but it is responsible for myriad insurance claims each year.
• Burglary and theft. Burglaries and robberies usually result in both damage to the home, such as broken windows or locks, and damage to or loss of belongings.  

What to Do If You Need to File a Property Insurance Claim in California

If you suffer a loss that should be covered by your property insurance, whether that is physical damage to your home or theft of your belongings, you should take the following steps to begin the process of seeking compensation:

• Document the damage. After ensuring the area is safe, carefully take photos and videos of the damage.
• List your losses. Make a list of everything that was damaged or lost, along with its value.
• File a claim. Call your insurance company to submit your claim, or do so online. According to Section 2695.5 of the California Code of Regulations, insurers have 15 days to acknowledge receipt of your claim.

Why You Should Hire a Property Insurance Claims Lawyer

If you need to file a property insurance claim, it is advisable to hire a property insurance claims lawyer. Insurance companies are businesses, and at the end of the day, they want more money coming in than going out. To protect their bottom lines, companies sometimes deny, underpay, or delay processing claims that should be covered.

If this happens to you, your attorney can push back against your insurance company on your behalf. In some cases, simply receiving a communication from a lawyer is enough to prompt an insurance company to handle a claim. If your insurance company continues to refuse to pay your claim, your attorney can file a breach of contract or a bad-faith claim against them.

FAQs About Property Insurance Claims Law

Does Property Insurance Cover Floods in California?

Property insurance usually does not cover water damage resulting from weather events, including flood damage, in California. It also does not cover damage from tsunamis or earthquakes. The state of California is prone to all three of these events, so property owners would be well advised to purchase separate insurance policies to cover them.

Is Mold Covered Under Most Property Insurance Policies in California?

Mold damage can be covered under property insurance policies in California. However, not all instances of mold are eligible for coverage. If the mold problem is caused by a leaking pipe or a defective appliance, you can likely file a claim. However, if the mold results from poor home maintenance or flood damage, it is almost never covered.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Bad Faith Insurance Claim?

If you file a successful bad faith insurance claim, the damages you can recover include the payout you should have received, any money you had to spend because the claim was denied, and compensation for emotional distress. You may also be able to recover legal fees, and a judge may add punitive damages if they believe the insurance company acted maliciously.

Is a Property Insurance Claims Lawyer in Los Angeles Expensive?

A property insurance claims lawyer in Los Angeles can be expensive, depending on the complexity of your case and the rates and fee structures set by individual attorneys. However, many attorneys who handle insurance claim cases do so on a contingency basis. Rather than asking clients to pay for services outright, they receive a percentage of any settlement they secure for the client.

Contact Shaver Legal

If you need to file a property insurance claim or if you need to push back against your insurance company that has denied, delayed, or underpaid your claim, you need experienced legal counsel on your side. Contact Shaver Legal today for a free consultation to discuss your case.