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Our Results in Property Insurance Cases

We have secured significant recoveries for Florida property owners whose claims were delayed, denied, or underpaid. In many of these cases, the insurer's initial offer was far below what our clients ultimately received—or nothing at all.

Case Type Verdict Pre-Trial Offer
Property Damage (Roof) $125,000 $0
Water Damage $110,000 $0
Hurricane Damage $75,894.38 $500
Water/Wind Damage $60,000 $250
Water Damage $48,633.89 $0
Hurricane Damage $45,500 $1,000
Water Damage $40,000 $125

Results vary. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results.

Hotel Insurance Claims Are a Serious Risk in South Florida

Miami sits in one of the most hurricane-prone regions in the United States. According to NOAA's National Hurricane Center, South Florida is struck by or affected by more tropical storms and hurricanes than virtually any other part of the country. The consequences for hotel properties can be devastating, and the insurance disputes that follow are often just as damaging.

Commercial property insurance complaints are among the most frequently filed with the Florida Department of Financial Services, which monitors insurer conduct and handles consumer complaints statewide. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation reports that Florida consistently ranks among the top states for property insurance claims volume nationally, driven largely by its weather exposure.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments respond to thousands of fires in hotel and motel properties annually. In Miami's dense hospitality market, the financial stakes of even a single covered event can reach into the millions.

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Types of Hotel Insurance Claims We Handle

Hurricane and windstorm damage

Roof systems, facades, windows, and structural elements are the most common casualties of South Florida's storm season. These claims are frequently underpaid or denied outright.

Water intrusion

Plumbing failures, roof leaks, and storm surge damage can affect multiple floors simultaneously. Insurers routinely dispute the scope of water damage and its secondary effects.

Fire damage

Electrical failures, kitchen fires, and other covered causes can produce total or near-total losses. Full documentation is essential from the moment the fire is extinguished.

Hail damage

Hail events damage roofing, HVAC equipment, skylights, and exterior cladding in ways that insurance adjusters often undercount.

Business interruption

When your hotel cannot operate at full capacity, your revenue stops. Business interruption claims require detailed financial analysis, and insurers challenge them aggressively.

Mold and moisture damage

Often a direct consequence of untreated water intrusion, mold claims are a persistent point of dispute in South Florida's climate.

Denied and underpaid claims

When your insurer has refused to pay, delayed a decision, or offered far less than the damage warrants, our team is prepared to take action immediately.

Our Hotel Insurance Claims Attorneys

Andrew Vargas is a founding partner admitted in Florida and Texas. His experience in insurance litigation spans insurance disputes, civil litigation, and trial work. He has built a reputation for constructing compelling cases and securing favorable outcomes through negotiation and courtroom advocacy.

Louis Gonzalez is a founding partner licensed in Florida, Texas, and Colorado. His breadth of experience covers complex civil litigation, high-stakes insurance disputes, class actions, and breach-of-contract claims. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Justice Association and is a recognized member of the National Association of Insurance Litigation Lawyers.

Rene Delombard is a founding partner licensed in Florida and Texas. Known for meticulous preparation and direct, clear communication, Rene brings a results-driven approach to every hotel insurance dispute he handles.

Michael Ortiz is licensed in Florida and New York, with a strong background in civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He is recognized for his analytical precision and ability to navigate complex legal issues efficiently, including for hotel owners dealing with difficult coverage disputes.

hotel building

Why Miami Hotel Owners Need a Hotel Insurance Claims Attorney

Hotel insurance claims in Miami involve a unique combination of risks that make experienced legal representation essential. South Florida's climate, the density of the hospitality market, and the complexity of commercial insurance policies all work together to create claims that are difficult to resolve without skilled counsel.

Insurers assign experienced adjusters and in-house legal teams to commercial claims immediately. Without a hotel insurance claims attorney in Miami on your side, you are negotiating alone against professionals whose goal is to minimize your payout.

Legal representation changes the dynamic in several important ways:

  • Policies are interpreted in your favor, not the insurer's
  • All categories of loss, including business interruption, are fully documented and presented
  • Repair scopes are independently verified against insurer estimates
  • Negotiations are conducted from a position backed by litigation readiness
  • Bad faith claims are pursued when the insurer's conduct warrants them

Common Causes of Hotel Property Damage in South Florida

  • Hurricane and tropical storm damage: Direct wind damage, storm surge, and flying debris can cause widespread structural and interior losses.
  • Roof and water intrusion: Miami's heavy rainfall season poses an ongoing risk of roof leaks, plumbing failures, and water damage that can spread across multiple floors.
  • Fire: Electrical failures and kitchen fires remain a year-round risk for hotel operators.
  • Mold: Miami's heat and humidity accelerate mold growth after any moisture event that is not fully remediated.
  • Construction defects: Older Miami hotel properties sometimes reveal hidden structural deficiencies after a covered event, triggering complex coverage disputes.

Types of Miami Hotel and Hospitality Properties We Represent

  • Luxury and full-service hotels in Miami Beach, Brickell, and Coconut Grove
  • Boutique and independent hotels in Wynwood, Little Havana, and the Design District
  • Extended-stay and suite hotels throughout Miami-Dade County
  • Motels and economy lodging on the Dixie Highway corridor and US-1
  • Resorts and spa properties in Coral Gables and Key Biscayne
  • Mixed-use commercial buildings with hotel or short-term rental components
  • Franchised hotel properties operating under national brand agreements
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Types of Compensation Available for Hotel Insurance Claims

Hotel owners in Miami may be entitled to recover:

  • Replacement Cost Value (RCV): The full cost to repair or replace damaged property with new materials, without depreciation deducted.
  • Actual Cash Value (ACV): The depreciated value of damaged property, which applies when RCV coverage is not in effect or the insurer disputes its application.
  • Business interruption losses: Lost revenue and ongoing fixed expenses incurred during the period of restoration.
  • Extra expense reimbursement: Costs to continue operations during repairs, including temporary relocation, accelerated construction, and emergency services.
  • Bad faith damages: Under Florida Statute § 624.155, Florida policyholders may recover damages beyond the policy limit when an insurer has acted in bad faith, including reasonable attorney's fees.

Steps to Take After Your Miami Hotel Suffers Property Damage

Notify your insurer promptly

  • Florida Statute § 627.70132 imposes specific notice and filing deadlines that vary by loss type
  • Contact our team immediately so we can help you navigate these timelines

Document all damage thoroughly

  • Photograph and video every area of damage before any cleanup, temporary repairs, or debris removal
  • Preserve all damaged materials as evidence whenever possible

Mitigate further damage

  • Florida law and your policy require you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional loss
  • Arrange for board-up, water extraction, or emergency structural work as needed

Retain your own estimates

  • Do not rely solely on the insurer's adjuster for damage valuation
  • Secure independent contractor estimates and, if warranted, retain a licensed public adjuster

Collect your financial records

  • Business interruption claims require detailed historical and projected revenue data, expense records, payroll documentation, and tax returns

Do not accept or sign any settlement without legal review

  • Once you accept a settlement, your ability to recover additional compensation is severely limited
  • Contact our Miami hotel insurance claims attorneys before agreeing to anything
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Hotel Insurance Claim Subtypes We Handle

  • Hurricane and tropical storm damage claims
  • Roof damage and wind-driven rain claims
  • Water damage and mold remediation disputes
  • Fire and smoke damage claims
  • Business interruption and lost revenue claims
  • Extra expense and temporary relocation claims
  • Bad faith claims against insurers who unreasonably denied or delayed payment
  • Class action claims involving widespread insurer misconduct
  • Coverage disputes involving layered commercial policies

Hotel Insurance Claims FAQs

How long do I have to file a hotel insurance claim in Florida?

What is insurance bad faith in Florida?

What if my insurer says my hotel damage is not covered?

How is business interruption calculated for a hotel?

What is the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value?

How much does it cost to hire Vargas Gonzalez Delombard?

Do I need a public adjuster before calling an attorney?

How long do I have to file a hotel insurance claim in Florida?

Florida law imposes deadlines for filing claims and for bringing legal action. Florida Statute § 627.70132 governs claim notice and filing requirements for property insurance, with deadlines that vary depending on the type and timing of the loss. Because these timelines are strict and have changed under recent Florida legislation, contact our office as soon as possible after any covered event.

What is insurance bad faith in Florida?

Under Florida Statute § 624.155, Florida policyholders can file a civil remedy notice against an insurer that fails to attempt in good faith to settle a claim when it could have and should have done so. If the insurer fails to cure the violation within the statutory period, policyholders may seek bad-faith damages in excess of the policy limit.

What if my insurer says my hotel damage is not covered?

A denial is not final. Insurers frequently misapply exclusions, dispute causation, or undervalue losses. An experienced hotel insurance claims attorney in Miami can review the denial, identify weaknesses in the insurer's position, and pursue recovery through negotiation or litigation.

How is business interruption calculated for a hotel?

Business interruption losses are calculated based on your hotel's historical revenues, projected earnings during the restoration period, fixed ongoing expenses, and any variable cost savings. The calculation is complex and frequently disputed. Thorough financial documentation and experienced counsel are both essential.

What is the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value?

Replacement Cost Value (RCV) covers the cost to repair or replace damaged property with new materials of like kind and quality, without deducting for depreciation. Actual Cash Value (ACV) subtracts depreciation, which can result in substantially lower payouts. Insurers sometimes apply ACV calculations even where RCV coverage applies. Our attorneys review your policy to ensure the correct standard is applied.

How much does it cost to hire Vargas Gonzalez Delombard?

Our firm works on a contingency-fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no hourly fees. Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation at our South Florida office.

Do I need a public adjuster before calling an attorney?

No. You can contact our team directly. We will help evaluate whether a public adjuster is beneficial for your specific claim, coordinate with one if needed, and take the lead on your legal strategy from the start.

Andrew Vargas outside

Why Choose Vargas Gonzalez Delombard for Hotel Insurance Claims in Miami

Hotel insurance disputes are among the most complex cases in commercial property law. At Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP, our South Florida attorneys have the experience, resources, and litigation readiness to match and outperform the legal teams that insurers deploy against you.

We have helped thousands of Florida clients recover after insurers failed to honor their policies. Our approach combines rigorous policy analysis, independent damage documentation, and financial loss evaluation, backed by a willingness to take cases to trial when necessary.

VGD operates on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover for you. We are available 24 hours a day, every day, and we respond with urgency because when your hotel is down, every day matters.

Our Miami Office

South Florida 121 Alhambra Plaza, Suite 1140 Coral Gables, FL 33134

(407) 794-3056

Get a Free Case Evaluation

We also serve hotel owners throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties.

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Contact Our Miami Hotel Insurance Claims Team Today

At Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP, our South Florida attorneys have spent years representing hotel owners, commercial property operators, and businesses whose insurers failed them. We know Florida's insurance laws, Miami's market, and how to build cases that get results.

Our South Florida office is located at 121 Alhambra Plaza, Suite 1140, Coral Gables, FL 33134. We are available 24/7, work on a contingency-fee basis, and offer your first case evaluation free. Contact us today to tell us what happened and learn what we can do for you.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. 

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