Handling an insurance claim can be challenging, particularly when confronted with the complexities of an insurance policy. At the Law Office of Rabih Hamawi, we understand the frustration and stress that can accompany these situations. That's why, in this Blog, we highlight two crucial aspects often overlooked by policyholders: failure to preserve evidence and failure to give timely notice.
Failure to Preserve Evidence:
Let's assume your property suffers damage from a fire, water leak, or another unforeseen event. Your first instinct may be to start repairs immediately, but this well-intentioned action could inadvertently put your insurance claim at risk.
One of the most common innocent violations occurs when policyholders dispose of damaged items or complete repairs before the insurance company has had a chance to inspect the damage. This hasty decision can result in a lack of evidence needed to support your claim, potentially leading to delays or even denial of coverage. It's crucial to resist the urge to repair or dispose of damaged property until after the insurer has assessed the situation. By doing so, you ensure that all evidence is properly documented and can be used to support your claim. This simple step can make a significant difference in the outcome of your insurance claim.
Failure to Give Timely Notice:
Timing is everything when it comes to filing an insurance claim. Many insurance policies require policyholders to provide prompt or timely notice of any damages or losses. Failure to do so can prejudice the insurer and may result in the denial of an otherwise valid claim.
Delaying the notification of a claim can significantly impact the insurer's ability to investigate the circumstances surrounding the loss effectively. It's essential to familiarize yourself with your policy's reporting requirements and ensure that you adhere to them to avoid any potential complications down the line.
Documenting Damages:
In addition to preserving evidence and giving timely notice, documenting damages thoroughly is crucial to the success of your insurance claim. This includes taking photos and videos of the damaged property; filing police reports for any criminal activity involved, such as theft or vandalism; and obtaining fire reports in the case of fire damage.
These documentation efforts serve as essential pieces of evidence to substantiate your claim and demonstrate the extent of the damages incurred. By proactively gathering this information, you provide your insurer with the necessary evidence to process your claim efficiently.
Consulting with Attorney Rabih Hamawi:
Understanding the intricacies of property insurance claims can be overwhelming, especially when faced with inadvertent errors that may compromise your coverage.
With extensive expertise in insurance coverage, insurance counseling, and insurance litigation, Mr. Hamawi is dedicated to exclusively representing policyholders. He focuses his practice on fire, property damage, and insurance coverage disputes, as well as errors-and-omissions cases against insurance agents. Having successfully litigated numerous cases against insurance companies and agents, Mr. Hamawi has recovered millions for his clients. He also handles cases involving residential and commercial builders, restoration companies, and fire repair contractors.
Don't let inadvertent errors jeopardize your insurance claim. Contact the Law Office of Rabih Hamawi today to safeguard your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. By skillfully handling property insurance claims and avoiding common pitfalls like failure to preserve evidence and timely notice, and thoroughly documenting damages, policyholders can confidently pursue their claims with the assurance of Rabih Hamawi and his team's support and expertise.
If your insurance company has denied, delayed, or underpaid your insurance claim, contact Law Office of Rabih Hamawi for a case evaluation at (248) 905-1133 or www.hamawilaw.com.
Who is Rabih Hamawi?
Attorney & Counselor
Rabih Hamawi is a principal at the Law Office of Rabih Hamawi, P.C. and focuses his practice on representing policyholders in fire, property damage, and insurance-coverage disputes against insurance companies and in errors-and-omissions cases against insurance agents. He may be reached at (248) 905-1133.