Property Damage Claims Guide
When an accident or natural disaster causes damage to your home or business, you may be able to file a property damage claim to cover repairs or replacements. At Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC, we have been helping Ohio and Northern Kentucky families recover for property and casualty losses since 2005.
Property damage insurance claims can involve a range of events, including storms, fires, floods, vandalism, and structural collapses. Dealing with home or property damage is often overwhelming, and you may be unsure of what to do next. This property damage claims guide will walk you through the steps to take, timelines to be aware of, your legal rights, and when to seek help. Call us today at (513) 951-6723 for more information.
table of contents
- What Counts as Property Damage?
- What Are the First Steps After Discovering Property Damage?
- How To File a Property Damage Claim
- How Long Do I Have To File a Property Damage Claim?
- What To Include in Your Damage Documentation
- Top 5 Reasons Property Damage Claims May Be Denied
- How Does Lawrence & Associates Help You Navigate Property Damage Claims?
- Here’s How We Help Our Clients Win Their Property Damage Claims
- Was Your Property Damage Claim Denied or Underpaid? Lawrence & Associates Is Here To Help
What Counts as Property Damage?
A wide range of events can lead to property damage, both residential and commercial. Some examples include the following:
- Natural disasters, like storms, wind, hail, tornadoes, and floods
- Fire and smoke
- Theft and vandalism
- Water damage, like a pipe burst or a roof leak
What Are the First Steps After Discovering Property Damage?
You can take proactive and immediate steps when property damage is discovered. Doing so protects against future damage and claims.
- Ensure safety – Evacuate or shut off power or gas if needed
- Contact emergency services if necessary
- Take photos and videos right away to capture the full extent of the damage.
- Prevent further damage, such as boarding up windows or covering the roof with a tarp
How To File a Property Damage Claim
To file a property damage claim, you must first contact your insurance company and provide detailed documentation. Be sure to document all communication and follow up if the insurer delays. Following this, schedule an adjuster inspection to evaluate your losses. It is essential to review your policy carefully and file within the required time window.
How Long Do I Have To File a Property Damage Claim?
The Ohio statute of limitations for property damage claims is typically two years from the date of the incident. However, Kentucky’s statute of limitations allows only one year for filing. Deadlines set by individual insurance policies may be shorter, and you must file on time to prevent being barred from compensation.
Meagan Tate
Attorney
“One of the reasons why we at Lawrence and Associates encourage you to contact us as soon as possible if you feel like you may need an attorney for your claim is because most policies contain suit limitation provisions. So, your case is a breach of contract case, and if you Google how long do I have to file a breach of contract case, depending on what state you’re in, they’re going to tell you anywhere from 5 to 10 years, but your policy limits and shortens that time period. So it really depends on the language of the policy. Most residential policies have a one-year suit limitation provision, meaning you only have a year from the date of loss to file a lawsuit. Most commercial or farm policies will extend that to 2 years, but it’s really important that you check the policy, you check all endorsements to that policy, and you run that by a lawyer as soon as possible to make sure that you don’t miss that deadline.”
What To Include in Your Damage Documentation
Including all the necessary information in your damage documentation is key to receiving the compensation you deserve. Being thorough allows adjusters and insurance to fully understand the extent of your losses.
- High-quality photos and videos from multiple angles with timestamps
- Inventory list of damaged items with estimated values
- Receipts for emergency repairs or hotel stays
- Police and fire reports, if applicable
Top 5 Reasons Property Damage Claims May Be Denied
There are several scenarios in which a property damage claim may be denied, including the following:
Policy Exclusions Or “Act Of God” Clauses
An insurance policy or contract may have specific exclusions or a clause referred to as an “Act of God” clause. These exclude or limit liability for losses resulting from unpredictable, uncontrollable natural events or disasters.
“Wear And Tear” Misclassification
Wear and tear refers to the gradual deterioration of property resulting from normal usage and the passage of time. It is not typically covered under most standard property insurance policies. Misclassifying legitimate property damage as wear and tear is a common tactic some insurers or responsible parties may use to deny or reduce payouts on claims.
Lack Of Documentation
If you do not provide the correct or adequate documentation required by insurers or adjusters, this can result in a claim being denied. It is essential to have all necessary information in your claim, including visual evidence, receipts, and relevant reports.
Pre-Existing Condition Claims
A pre-existing condition refers to damage or deterioration that existed before the incident that triggered the insurance claim, meaning the damage was not caused by the covered event. An insurer might deny or reduce payment by claiming that the damage is due to a pre-existing condition.
Lowball Repair Estimates
Lowball repair estimates are a common tactic used by insurance companies to reduce the payout on a property damage claim. If you suspect your insurer’s repair estimate is unreasonably low, it is crucial to understand your rights and how to push back effectively.
How Does Lawrence & Associates Help You Navigate Property Damage Claims?
When your insurance claim is denied or underpaid, you deserve a trusted advocate on your side. Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC has been helping policyholders stand up to insurers since 2005. Our compassionate legal team can help with various challenging scenarios, including the following:
- When your claim is denied, underpaid, or ignored
- If your insurer uses complex policy language to stall
- When you are facing a dispute over repair estimates
- If you are overwhelmed or unsure of your rights
We can guide you through the process, break down the fine print, and protect you from being misled. Our firm offers consultations with no upfront costs and provides contingency-based representation.
Meagan Tate
Attorney
“What sets Lawrence and Associates apart from other firms is that we have an experienced staff that has what we call on both sides of the V. So I have worked for insureds, represented insureds, fought for insureds against insurance companies, but I also have an extensive amount of experience working for the insurance companies. So I know how they operate. I know how they evaluate claims. I know what they’re looking for and my staff and I here at Lawrence and Associates can sometimes anticipate issues before they even arise because we have that experience working both for and against the companies.”
Here’s How We Help Our Clients Win Their Property Damage Claims
Our dedicated legal team has a client-first mentality. You are never just another number to us; we are here to help you get the compensation and justice you and your family deserve. With our free consultations and no-fee guarantee, you can get the help you need without taking on financial risk.
Meagan Tate
Attorney
“There was a local church that I was working with. They went all the way through an appraisal. They got a binding appraisal award. The insurance company still didn’t want to pay the full amount of that award. We then had to sue the insurance company. We went all the way through litigation. We were a few weeks away from trial and we filed motions to exclude their experts and those motions were granted. We were able to get a substantial settlement for our client and made them able to repair their property without having to actually go through the stress of litigation.”
Was Your Property Damage Claim Denied or Underpaid? Lawrence & Associates Is Here To Help
If your property damage claim was denied, delayed, or underpaid, you are not alone—and you do not have to face the insurance company on your own. Our experienced legal team is committed to fighting for fair recovery for Ohio residents and can guide you on what to do—and what to avoid—so you don’t unintentionally harm your case.
Contact the Property Damage Lawyers at Lawrence & Associates for a free, no-obligation consultation, or call us at (513) 951-6723. We’ll fight to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
