Experienced Property Damage Claim Attorneys Serving Orlando and Central Florida
Orlando property owners often learn the hard way that a first party claim is not always simple. Even when the policy belongs to you and the premiums are paid, payment can still be delayed, denied, or an offer that does not match the actual cost of the loss. When that happens, an Orlando first party insurance claims attorney with Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. can work to compel the carrier to comply with the contract and Florida law.
First party insurance matters because it pays for your own covered loss, not someone else’s mistake. A claim can involve a home, a condo unit, a commercial or rental property and the stress feels similar in every setting. Paper deadlines arrive fast, the policy language feels dense, and the carrier controls much of the early process, including what gets inspected and how damage gets valued.
Understanding First Party Insurance in Florida
First party coverage means the policyholder asks their insurer to pay the benefits promised under the policy. A lawyer will explain the difference between a first party claim and a third party claim, then focus on the policy parts that drive the decision. These components often include covered perils, exclusions, deductibles, and loss settlement terms.
Florida first party claims often revolve around how the carrier interprets cause and scope. Water damage can raise questions about where the water started and how far it traveled. A fire loss can raise questions about what can be cleaned versus what must be replaced. In a condo, the line between unit and association coverage can create a gap unless an attorney carefully handles the policy language.
Policy wording also shapes how money flows. Some policies pay actual cash value first and defer depreciation until repairs are completed. Others set separate limits for certain properties. In some cases, policies require specific steps, such as a sworn proof of loss, before the carrier treats the claim as complete.
Crucial Deadlines and Rules You Should Know
Florida law sets time rules that can affect how quickly a claim moves. An insurer generally must acknowledge claim communications within seven days, begin a reasonably necessary investigation within seven days after receiving proof of loss statements, and pay or deny a residential property claim or a portion of it within 60 days after receiving notice of the claim, unless factors beyond the insurer’s control apply. An attorney will use these rules to track delays, demand clear explanations, and push the file forward when the carrier stalls.
Policies can require prompt notice, reasonable cooperation, and documentation such as repair estimates or inventories. Proof of loss forms can carry strict timelines, and missing one can give the carrier an excuse to slow the claim or dispute parts of it.
Bad-faith issues can arise when the carrier handles a claim in a manner prohibited by Florida law. Florida Statutes section 624.155 provides a civil remedy for certain bad-faith conduct by insurers, and section 626.9541 lists unfair or deceptive acts, including unfair claim settlement practices.
Common First Party Claim Disputes and How They Start
Disputes usually begin with one of three moves by the carrier: a denial, a partial denial, or a payment that falls short of the real repair scope. Your lawyer will focus on why the carrier took that position, then match the facts to the contract language the carrier relies on.
Coverage fights often hide inside simple phrases. Insurers often use “wear and tear” or “constant and repeated seepage” arguments even when the policyholder claims the damage resulted from a sudden event. “Pre-existing” damage arguments can appear even when repairs were not needed before the loss. A claim can also involve multiple events close in time, and the carrier may try to split the damage to reduce its payout.
Claim valuation disputes can be just as serious as coverage disputes. Line-item pricing, labor assumptions, permit costs, matching issues, and code-upgrade items can create a significant gap between the carrier’s estimate and the amount needed to restore the property.
Common first party claim types in Central Florida include:
- Homeowners’ claims for sudden water damage, plumbing failures, appliance leaks, or interior damage tied to a covered event.
- Condominium unit claims involving drywall, flooring, cabinets, and personal property, with added coordination issues around association coverage.
- Fire and smoke claims where cleaning, removal, and replacement decisions change the total value.
- Theft and vandalism claims where inventories, receipts, and valuation become the main battleground.
Each type of claim involves different challenges when it comes to providing evidence. Photos help, but photos alone do not show scope or pricing. Estimates help, but estimates must connect to the policy terms and the loss facts to carry real weight. A seasoned lawyer can work to gather the evidence needed to make your claim as strong as possible.
Building a Strong Claim File Without Filler or Guesswork
An attorney will build the record so the carrier cannot say the information was missing, unclear, or inconsistent. You can later show what was submitted and when. It’s crucial to note that your documentation should tell a clean story. For example, the loss date should match the earliest clear signs of damage. The repair plan should align with how the property actually functions. The cost should match current market reality for labor and materials in the Orlando area, not a generic template number.
Clear communication matters as much as the paperwork. Requests from the carrier should receive timely response, and every submission should be saved in a way that proves delivery. Recorded statements and broad document requests can carry risks, so a lawyer will take a careful, organized approach.
Potential Remedies When the Carrier Plays Hardball
When a claim bogs down, Florida provides structured ways to resolve disputes. A legal representative will evaluate whether a policy appraisal clause makes sense, whether mediation is a good fit for the dispute, and whether litigation is the right next step. They will make their recommendation based on the issues and the evidence. Florida’s property insurance mediation program can help when the fight is really about scope, pricing, or what the carrier calls “partial” payment.
Some disputes involve bigger conduct problems, such as misrepresentation of policy language, shifting reasons for denial, or settlement tactics that ignore the facts. The statutes mentioned earlier may be important in those settings, especially when the carrier’s handling causes additional harm beyond unpaid benefits. If so, a sound strategy will be critical. The reason is that these paths can involve notice requirements and timing rules that must be handled correctly by a skilled legal professional.
An Orlando First Party Insurance Claims Attorney Is Ready to Help
When you turn to Kuhn Raslavich, our lawyers will focus on the policy language, the carrier’s claim file conduct, and the proof needed to move the claim toward full payment. Our team will keep the process clear so the file does not drift or stall.
We will provide practical, direct communication. Claim decisions often turn on what happened, what got damaged, what the policy covers, and what it costs to fix it the right way. Those questions sound simple, yet the carrier’s letters and estimates often avoid straight answers unless the record forces clarity. Your attorney will work to push the insurer to provide those answers.
Preparation will also shape leverage. Our legal team will gather the documents that matter most, frame the dispute in terms the policy requires, and push for a resolution that matches the covered loss rather than the carrier’s first number.
Please Do Not Hesitate to Reach Out to Our First Party Insurance Claims Attorneys
Orlando first party claims can feel unfair. You do the reporting, supply the proof, and you must still wait while the carrier controls the pace. Kuhn Raslavich can take that stress from your shoulders by building the claim record and pursuing the benefits owed under the policy and Florida law.
If your claim has turned into a delay, denial, or a payment that does not repair the loss, a free consultation with an Orlando first party insurance claims attorney will give you a clear plan and a direct path toward the outcome the policy promised. Get in touch by calling 407-501-4833 or contacting us online.
How Kuhn Raslavich Builds Leverage in South Florida
Documentation wins claims. Kuhn Raslavich will gather pre-loss photos, permit histories, moisture readings, expert reports, and line-item estimates to tell a coherent story grounded in the policy’s language. Our team can convert that story into a demand that anticipates the carrier’s pushbacks.
Process control creates pressure. Our firm will calendar statutory deadlines, request claim file notes when available, and maintain written follow-ups on a predictable schedule. We will tie every delay to the statute and remind the carrier of its obligations under Florida law.
Results come from preparation. When the file provides credible support for cause, scope, and price, carriers have fewer excuses to cut or delay payment. A prepared attorney with our firm will present that support at the appraisal or in court if negotiation fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an insurer have to pay or deny my residential property claim in Florida?
Florida law mandates a 60-day pay-or-deny rule after the insurer receives notice of an initial, reopened, or supplemental residential property claim, with limited exceptions.
Can my claim get denied because the damage looks like wear and tear?
A carrier can deny a claim it believes falls within an exclusion, but the denial should align with the policy language and the facts. However, a sudden event can create damage that resembles long-term problems. The claim record should connect the timeline, the visible damage, and the repair scope. An attorney can help you prepare that record.
What is Florida’s property insurance mediation program?
Our state offers a property insurance mediation program designed to help resolve disputed claims, but mediation is nonbinding unless the parties sign a settlement agreement. A claim can still require other steps depending on the policy and the dispute.
Reasons To Call Kuhn Raslavich
If you have suffered property damage as a result of water damage, fire, hail, or hurricane, CALL KUHN RASLAVICH FIRST…not your insurance carrier. Kuhn Raslavich charges no fees unless you get paid! We will deal with the insurance company on your behalf so you do not have to worry about setting up a claim or getting paid adequately. As an illustration of why hiring Kuhn Raslavich would be beneficial, consider this common occurrence:
- A hurricane badly damages your home.
- You call your insurance carrier who sends out one of their own adjusters to estimate the amount of damage.
- You accept the amount estimated by the insurance carrier, not knowing that it is extremely undervalued because the insurance company is trying to pay the least amount possible to settle your claim.
- As a result, you do not have enough money to repair your home properly.
We will come to your home and estimate the true value of the damage, which is often much greater than what the insurance company has determined. We will then gather all necessary paperwork and submit the claim to your insurance company. Once submitted, we help you along step by step and negotiate the claim in an effort to maximize your recovery.
Since filing a homeowner’s insurance claim is not a common occurrence, many homeowners do not know where to start. Many believe that their insurance company works for them, and is looking out for their best interest; however, insurers DO NOT represent homeowners and ARE NOT looking out for their best interest. Insurers are FOR PROFIT CORPORATIONS that are trying to pay the least amount possible to resolve claims.