Did you know that making repairs to your property with a pending claim can have a potentially drastic effect on your claim or case if the necessary steps are not taken? Many homeowners in Florida who have an open claim have experienced how it may take several months, sometimes years, to resolve. Thus, it is common for homeowners to want to make either temporary repairs, or even replace their roof entirely out of pocket, and seek reimbursement while the case progresses. This can actually help a homeowners’ claim, as long as it is done correctly. First, it is extremely important that the homeowner contact his/her attorney and advise the attorney of the intention to perform repairs. The attorney will then draft a letter of formal notice to provide to the insurance company, advising of the insured’s intent to initiate repairs within the next thirty days. The letter will also require the insurance company to advise counsel within ten days as to whether it wishes to inspect the property one last time before its modified. If it so chooses, the inspection will be coordinated to occur within the thirty days. Second, the insured’s attorney will retain an expert to perform an inspection of the property prior to it being modified. This is extremely important, because if the property is modified before the insured’s attorney can send an expert to inspect it, the case will inevitably lose value, and may even be hindered from moving forward at all depending on the circumstances. Constant contact with your attorney is absolutely key in these types of situations. Our attorneys are prepared to assist you.
DALYA ZALLOUM, ESQ.
