Velasquez & Associates, P.A.

Call Velasquez & Associates for help with any of the following legal matters in Miami:

Property Damage Insurance Claims

You may never have had to file a claim before, and you can quickly find yourself at a disadvantage dealing with insurance company claims adjusters and lawyers. We handle claims like yours every day. We aren’t intimidated by the insurance companies, and we’ll work with you so you won’t be either. Our first-party property insurance claims practice includes both residential and commercial insurance claims, as well as homeowner’s association claims. We even represent restoration professionals in pursuing insurance claims based on an assignment of benefits they received from the policyholder. Explore our website to learn about the different types of property damage claims, discover why property damage claims are denied, understand the steps to filing a claim, or get answers to frequently asked questions about property damage insurance claims. For immediate assistance filing a claim or dealing with a denial, delay or underpayment of your claim, call our office for a free consultation.

In addition to handling property damage insurance claims, our full-service law firm addresses a variety of important legal needs, including:

Personal Injury – If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another, the burden falls on you to file a claim or lawsuit to receive payment for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other legal damages. All of this happens at a time when you are hurting, disabled and have your life thrown into chaos. We’ll take on that burden for you and work to get you the maximum compensation available in a prompt, professional manner. Call Velasquez & Associates for a free consultation after a car accident, slip and fall, workplace or construction accident or other personal injury. You don’t pay unless we recover for you.

Criminal Defense – Whether charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, your life, your liberty, your job, your pocketbook and your driver’s license may all be at risk. You have the right to defend yourself against criminal charges and have an attorney represent you at every step. We provide strong, aggressive defense and work to get you the very best result, no matter the circumstances.

Immigration– Now more than ever, lawful and undocumented immigrants alike face serious challenges navigating immigration issues in the U.S. We help immigrants and their employers with a variety of difficult immigration matters, including green cards, H-1B visas, citizenship and naturalization, fiancé(e) visas, and more. Hablamos Español.

Employment Law – Our comprehensive Miami employment law practice covers employment discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination claims, as well as wage and hour issues such as unpaid overtime or minimum wage violations. Injured on the job? Contact Velasquez & Associates for help getting worker’s compensation benefits as well as an evaluation of possible third-party liability claims.

Foreclosure Defense – For years now, Florida in general and Miami in particular have been ground zero in the fight against wrongful foreclosure. We’ll help you work out a solution with your lender that keeps you in your home, or we’ll litigate wrongful attempts to take your home from you. When keeping the home simply isn’t an option, we’ll negotiate the best solution that lets you walk away with your dignity, credit and finances intact.

Wrongful Death – The loss of the family breadwinner, homemaker or a beloved child is a tragic blow at any time, but when the death is needlessly caused by the negligence of another, the emotional toll and anger can be almost too difficult to bear. We help grieving families through this incredibly difficult time by taking on their civil claims and making sure they get the financial help they need to cover medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, and compensation for the loss which was inflicted on them.

Civil Litigation – If you need to file a civil lawsuit for any reason or find yourself served with a complaint and summons to appear in court, our experienced courtroom litigators are ready and able to serve you with sound advice and effective representation in and out of court. We’ll work to resolve your legal matter through negotiations, mediation or a jury trial if needed to protect your rights and promote your interests. Call our office for any civil matter, including debt and collections, payment of alimony, business disputes, property disputes with a neighbor, landlord-tenant matters and more.

Insurance Claim FAQs

Your insurance questions answered by a knowledgeable and experienced Miami property damage insurance claims attorney

Nationally, most people will be involved in a car accident at some point in their lives and may have to deal with their insurance company or the other driver’s insurance, but most people do not find themselves having to file a claim with an insurance company over damage to their residential or commercial property. The likelihood of having a property damage claim is greater in areas of south Florida like Miami, where property owners face dangers ranging from hurricanes to sinkholes and almost always have to deal with water damage of one form or another.

Having to file a claim when you are unfamiliar with the process can be stressful, especially when dealing with an insurance claims adjuster who obviously knows a great deal more about the process than you do. Having knowledge on your side is powerful, so read on for answers to frequently asked questions about property damage insurance claims. If you have a property damage insurance claim in Miami, level the playing field between yourself and the insurance company by calling Miami property damage insurance claims attorney Juan Velasquez at Velasquez & Associates. We’ll answer any questions you have and represent you in all dealings with the insurance company, including initially reporting the claim on your behalf and dealing with any unpleasant surprises along the way.

What does a public adjuster do?

A claims adjuster’s job is to investigate a claim, inspect the damage, document the loss and prepare an estimate for the costs to repair or replace the damage. Insurance companies have their own adjusters who work for them, and there are “independent adjusters” who, although not employed full-time by an insurance company, also work for the insurance company and are more likely to represent the insurer’s interests than yours. A public adjuster, on the other hand, works for the policyholder instead of the insurance company.

In most instances, you can count on a public adjuster to look out for you and try to resolve your claim with your best interests in mind. However, not all public adjusters are created equal. It’s wise to check the license of any public adjuster you are thinking of using. Also, choose a local adjuster, ask for references and actually call on some of those references.

If you are unsatisfied with the public adjuster’s attempts to resolve your claim, call an attorney. You are not bound by the work of the public adjusters. Also, good adjusters know their limits and may refer you to an attorney if they believe your claim is not being fully or fairly resolved. Public adjusters can’t give legal advice, and they can’t litigate your claim if that’s what is necessary to get your claim paid.

What if I was pressured into hiring a public adjuster but wish I’d gone in a different direction?

If you are having second thoughts, you have the right under the law to cancel your contract within the later of three business days from the time the contract was entered into or three business days after the insurance company was notified of the claim.

What should I do to prepare for storm damage?

You already know what to do to protect your home from an approaching hurricane or tropical storm, such as boarding up windows or placing sandbags around your perimeter. There are steps you can take to protect your ability to make a successful claim as well, should damage strike. Take photos or video of your residential or commercial property inside and out. This gives you a record of what you owned and a “before” picture of the structure. Update these pictures any time you conduct any improvements or renovations. Make an inventory of your personal or business assets as well. Store all of these data off-site, or make backups to store in different locations.

Make sure you have adequate insurance to cover your property and belongings and that you understand the steps to filing a claim. Failing to provide timely notice or proof of loss to the insurance company can be disastrous to your claim. Miami property damage insurance lawyer Juan Velasquez can help you report your claim to your insurance company.

What do I do after disaster strikes?

If you evacuated the premises, be very careful about entering a residence or commercial space after it has been damaged by fire, storm or a sinkhole collapse. Besides structural damage, there could be gas leaks or dangerous downed power lines. Document the damage with photos and/or video, just as you previously documented your property pre-disaster. Don’t initiate repairs before contacting the insurance company, although you may want to perform some temporary repairs to avoid further damage (this step may even be required to mitigate damage and loss for your insurance claim). You’ll need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible, but if the damage is extensive, you would be well-advised to contact an experienced insurance lawyer first for advice on how to proceed and do’s and don’ts regarding contacting the insurance company and filing your claim.

Your Miami Law Firm for All Your Legal Needs

Velasquez & Associates is here for you whenever you need us, so call anytime, and we’ll get to work right away protecting your rights and helping you reach your goals. We offer a free initial consultation to learn about your case and let you know how we can help you. We also offer a variety of payment options and fee structures, including contingency fee arrangements in personal injury and property damage insurance claims. Our lawyers and staff speak Spanish and are more than happy to work with you in Spanish according to your preference and need. Call 786-776-0130, or contact us online through this website. We look forward to hearing from you, getting to know you, and resolving your legal matter to your satisfaction.