San Bernardino Commercial Property Insurance Claims Lawyer

Commercial Property Insurance Claims Attorney in San Bernardino, CA

Your business is your livelihood, and you count on your commercial insurance to protect you and your interests in the case of property damage. If you have had a claim delayed or denied in bad faith, you need the help of a San Bernardino commercial property insurance claims lawyer who can help get you the compensation you deserve.

At Shaver Legal, APC, we understand the complexity of California insurance laws and know the tactics insurers use to avoid paying claims. We can use our experience and legal acumen to advise you on your rights and get you the positive results you deserve

What Does Commercial Property Insurance Cover?

There are over6,800 businesses in San Bernardino. Commercial property insurance is a business’s greatest defense against unforeseen issues. It typically covers everything from minor damage to significant losses, such as:

• Damage to the outside of the building, including signage
• Destruction of documents, equipment, and movable furniture such as desks.
• The cost of repairs
• Internal damage to the building
• Losses that result from an interruption in business, such as wages and income

Commercial property insurance usually covers damage caused by:

• Natural disasters such as the Los Angeles wildfires in 2024
• Theft. This may include burglary, employee theft, and shoplifting, depending on the policy
• Vandalism. Vandalism is the intentional damage to property through destruction or defacing.

A recent study found that about 40% of small businesses are likely to incur liability or property loss over the next 10 years.

Types of Bad Faith Actions By Insurance Companies

When an insurance company acts in bad faith, it is likely putting profits ahead of people. If you filed a property insurance claim and are experiencing unexplained denials, extensive delays, or low payouts, it may be because of bad faith insurance practices. Some common examples include:

• Unreasonable denials
• Delayed payments
• Low settlement offers
• Failure to properly investigate
• Misrepresentation of the property insurance policy terms

These practices are not just unfair; they are illegal under California’s bad-faith insurance laws, as outlined in California Insurance Code §790.03 and the California Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations.

Steps to Take After Commercial Property Damage Occurs

The steps a property owner takes after damage occurs are an important part of the claims process. Once you discover the damage, find a copy of your insurance policy or contact your insurance company to obtain one. Review the policy to determine whether the damage is covered.

Once you have determined that the loss is covered, contact your insurance company to file a claim. Provide the insurance company with all requested information and documentation in a timely manner.

Document all the damage to your property using pictures and video. Make a list of each damaged item, including its value. Keep copies of all your documentation so you have proof of what you sent to your insurer for your commercial property insurance claims case.

Indications That Your Property Damage Claim Was Wrongfully Denied

There are several actions or lack of actions that an insurance company may take that indicate that your claim was wrongfully denied. You may want to contact a San Bernardino Commercial property insurance claims attorney if the insurance company did not conduct a thorough investigation or if they change adjusters partway through the investigation.

If you received a denial notification without a specific explanation of the policy exclusions, or if the insurance company didn’t review all of the evidence before rejecting the claim. Some other common signs of a wrongful denial include:

• Claiming the damage is the result of wear and tear without having any proof
• Claiming the damage occurred before the policy was in force, without investigating the timeframe
• Citing exclusions that don’t apply to the situation
• Denying water damage claims by falsely stating the source of the water or claiming the damage is the result of a long-term leak instead of a pipe bursting. 

Hire a Commercial Property Insurance Claims Lawyer

Navigating a claim against your insurance company can be confusing, which is why it’s necessary to hire a commercial property insurance claims lawyer. An attorney familiar with commercial property insurance claim laws can help you understand your rights as a commercial property owner and what you can do about the situation.

FAQs About Commercial Property Insurance Claims Law

Can I File a Claim Against an Insurance Company Over My Claim?

You can file a claim against an insurance company to seek recovery of damages through a breach of contract claim. Depending on the case, you may be eligible to receive compensation for the damages that should have been paid. An experienced attorney can help you determine if you have a case. California statute of limitations gives you two years to file your claim.

How Much Do Commercial Property Insurance Claims Lawyers Charge?

In many circumstances, a commercial property insurance claims lawyer will work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t pay any up-front fees. Instead, they take a percentage of the settlement if they are successful with the case. Some attorneys may charge an hourly fee and require a retainer to start the case.

What Type of Lawyers Deal With Insurance Companies?

The types of lawyers that work on insurance company claims are typically insurance claim attorneys or bad faith lawyers. These lawyers have experience representing policyholders in disputes with insurance companies, drawing on their knowledge of insurance laws, the claims process, and the tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying claims.

Why Are Commercial Property Insurance Claims Denied?

Commercial property claims are either paid, delayed, or denied. The reasons for a denial may be legitimate or unfair. Some common reasons they are denied include late or lack of premium payments, insufficient documentation of damages, or suspicion of insurance fraud. Some denials may be due to insufficient coverage. An experienced lawyer can help you if your claim is denied.

Contact a Commercial Property Insurance Claims Attorney

If you think that your insurance company is acting in bad faith, you can take action to make things right. Contact Shaver Legal, APC, for a free consultation. We can review your case, discuss your options, and determine a course of action to help you get the compensation you deserve.