Property Damage & Injury Lawyer Serving Miami Gardens, Florida

Property damage & insurance claims

Roof, wind and drainage claims for homeowners

With nearly two in three homes owner-occupied, the typical claim here is a homeowner against a carrier over wind, water or roof damage.

Hurricane Wilma made landfall on the southwest coast on October 24, 2005, then crossed to the east coast. The National Weather Service recorded a 105 mph gust at Opa Locka in Miami-Dade County, higher than at Miami International (92 mph), and reported large trees and power lines down virtually everywhere. After wind events like that, disputes often come down to roof condition and the scope of repair. Florida generally requires notice of a new hurricane or windstorm claim within one year of the date of loss, and insurers must generally pay or deny within 60 days after receiving notice of a claim. If the estimate is far below a contractor's, we can compare them.

The city's Flood Facts page says there is a 26 percent chance of experiencing a flood during a 30-year mortgage, and that 25 percent of flooding occurs outside areas formally designated as flood prone. Its Flood Protection page says the Stormwater Utility is identifying and prioritizing local drainage projects to reduce street flooding, and it takes reports of unusual flooding at 305-622-8000, extension 2648. The city offers free online elevation certificates, though it has kept them on file for new construction only since February 2008. Building Services, at 18605 NW 27th Avenue, handles permits and 40-year recertifications. If your own claim turns on how water reached the property, keep dated photos and any call you made to the city.

Property damage claims →   Hurricane claims →   Condo and HOA insurance claims →