As a property insurance policy holder, you should feel confident that in the event of a loss, you’ll receive prompt and full payment for a covered loss. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. If you’re in a situation where your insurance company is not upholding its responsibilities, you may need a San Bernardino property insurance claims lawyer.
If you’ve had a property insurance claim unfairly denied or delayed, Shaver Legal, APC, has the experience needed to hold insurance companies responsible. Our firm is knowledgeable about California insurance regulations, familiar with insurance company tactics, and has a proven track record of results.
When you purchase property insurance and pay premiums, the insurance company agrees to pay for covered property damage. Property damage can result from many different causes, but over 1 in 4 property damage claims are caused by lightning and fire. The 2021 San Bernardino wildfire, caused by a contracting company, destroyed 9 residential and commercial buildings and damaged 28 others.
In California, over 42,000 property insurance claims were filed in 2025. A big part of an insurance company’s obligation to its insured is a promise to pay the claim promptly and in full.
The Law Doesn’t Wait
You Shouldn’t Either
TheUnfair Claims Settlement Act is designed to protect policyholders. It requires California insurance companies to respond to a property claim within a specified timeframe and to act in good faith throughout the claims process. Some common delay tactics include:
An insurance company may try to deny a property claim based on a narrow interpretation of policy language or technicalities, such as missed deadlines. Some common reasons an insurance company may deny a claim include claiming the damage was not covered under the policy, blaming pre-existing damage, or disputing the cause of the damage. An insurance company may also make a low-ball settlement offer in hopes that its insured will accept it.
One of the first steps to take if you receive a denial from your property insurance company is to review the denial notice. Insurance companies are required to provide a clear, detailed reason for the denial. You should then:
A recent study of 14 large U.S. insurance companies found that over 40% of homeowner claims were not paid in 2024. If your property claim is delayed or was denied without a clear explanation supported by facts, it may be time to hire a property insurance claims lawyer. The right attorney will have:
We Fight to Rebuild What You Lost.
Your Property. Your Policy. Your Money.
You should consider hiring an attorney if your property insurance claim is delayed, denied, or if you get an amount that doesn’t cover the damages. While a simple property insurance claim often doesn’t require the acumen of an attorney, it is advisable to have legal representation in more complex cases or if the insurance company acts in bad faith.
You can file a claim against your property insurance company if they underpay your claim, if they fail to conduct a reasonable investigation, or if they ignore evidence of damages to avoid paying a higher amount. If your payment seems too low, you can seek legal counsel, get an independent repair estimate, and file a complaint with the Department of Insurance. The California statute of limitations for filing a claim is two years.
Homeowners insurance covers certain attorney fees, but not if you are pursuing legal action against a contractor or the insurance company. Homeowners insurance may cover your legal fees if they are related to a covered claim. If your insurance company has to defend you in a claim resulting from a covered incident, such as a personal injury claim, your legal expenses may be covered.
A property insurance claims lawyer typically works on a contingency fee basis, and others charge an hourly rate. Under a contingency fee arrangement, an attorney receives a percentage of the amount awarded if they are successful with the case. While a property insurance claims attorney may not charge an up-front fee, their client may still be responsible for case-related expenses such as court filing fees.
We understand that the property insurance claims process can be overwhelming, especially if your insurance company is using tactics to avoid paying you what you are owed. If you are ready to take action to get the compensation that you deserve, it’s time to contact Shaver Legal, APC for a free consultation about your case. We can discuss the details of your case and determine the next steps.
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