When your home is damaged, you want your insurance company to help you get your life back to normal. But dealing with an insurance claim can be stressful, especially when you need repairs right away.
If you have American Integrity Insurance and your home was damaged by a hurricane, wind, a water leak, fire, or another event, you may have questions about your claim. You may also be worried if the insurance company is taking too long, denies your claim, or offers less money than you need for repairs.
At Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP, we help Florida homeowners with property insurance claims.
Understanding Your American Integrity Insurance Claim
Your American Integrity Insurance claim will depend on what happened to your home and what your policy says. Your policy may include rules about what is covered, what is not covered, and how much you must pay before insurance coverage begins.
After damage happens, report the loss as soon as you can. Keep track of every call, email, letter, and text message you receive about your claim.
What Coverage Does an American Integrity Insurance Policy Provide?
Your American Integrity Insurance policy may cover certain types of damage to your home. But every policy is different. What is covered can depend on your policy, the cause of the damage, your deductible, and any limits or exclusions in the policy.
You should read your policy and any letter the insurance company sends you about your claim. If you do not understand why your claim was denied or why the payment seems low, it may help to speak with an attorney.
Coverage May Depend on Your Florida Homeowners Policy
Your Florida homeowners policy may have important rules you need to follow. For example, it may say when you need to report damage, what you need to do to prevent more damage, and what documents you need to provide.
Do not rely only on what an adjuster tells you over the phone. Read your policy and ask for important decisions in writing.
What Should Florida Homeowners Do After a Covered Loss?
After your home is damaged, these steps may help you protect your claim:
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Report the claim quickly. Contact American Integrity Insurance as soon as you find the damage. Write down the date, your claim number, and the name of the person you speak with.
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Try to stop more damage. If it is safe, take reasonable steps to protect your home. For example, you may need to put a tarp over a damaged roof or turn off the water after a leak.
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Take pictures and videos. Take photos of the damage before repairs begin, if you can. Include the inside and outside of your home, damaged rooms, ceilings, walls, floors, and personal belongings.
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Keep your receipts and estimates. Save receipts for emergency repairs, water cleanup, hotel stays, and damaged items. Ask contractors for written repair estimates.
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Read your policy. Your policy can tell you what you need to do and what coverage may apply.
Document Damage to Your Home and Report the Loss Promptly
Keep copies of your photos, videos, receipts, estimates, emails, texts, and letters. These records can help show what happened to your home and how much the damage may cost to fix.
Common Problems With American Integrity Insurance Claims
Sometimes an insurance company may say that damage was caused by wear and tear, poor maintenance, old damage, or something the policy does not cover. Other times, the company may agree that there is coverage but offer less than what is needed to repair your home.
You may have a problem with your claim if:
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Your claim is denied;
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Your payment seems too low;
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The estimate leaves out some of the damage;
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The insurance company takes too long to inspect your home or respond;
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The company disagrees about what caused the damage; or
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The company asks for more documents but does not clearly explain what it needs.
A denial or low payment does not always mean your claim is over. You can review the letter from the insurance company, your policy, photos, estimates, and reports.
What Policyholders Should Do if Coverage Is Denied or Underpaid
If American Integrity Insurance denies your claim or offers too little money, ask for its decision and estimate in writing. Compare the estimate to your repair estimates and other records.
Be careful before signing a release, cashing a check marked “full settlement,” or making major repairs without knowing how it could affect your claim.
When Should You Speak With a Property Insurance Attorney?
You may want to speak with an attorney if American Integrity Insurance denies your claim, takes too long to handle it, offers too little for repairs, or says the damage is not covered.
An attorney can look at your policy and claim documents, explain your options, and communicate with the insurance company for you. Every claim is different, and results depend on the facts of your case and the terms of your policy.
Speak With a Florida American Integrity Insurance Claim Attorney
If your Florida home was damaged and you are having trouble with an American Integrity Insurance claim, Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP may be able to help.
Contact Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP today to discuss your property-damage claim.
This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
