PROPERTY INSURANCE LAW
Property Damage
If you have homeowners or commercial property insurance and there has been damage to your home or business, you should meet with attorney Michael Helveston to discuss your insurance claim and the claims process. Insurance policies are complex and policyholders often do not fully understand the benefits they are entitled to after a loss. Relying solely on your insurer’s claims representative to inform you of your rights can be a costly and irreversible mistake. Insurance company employees have an inherent conflict of interest when it comes to the processing and payment of claims because their employers financially benefit when legitimate claims are denied, undervalued and/or underpaid. Although the law requires that insurance companies compensate policyholders for covered losses that are claimed in a timely manner, companies are not obligated to make sure that policyholders submit claims for everything that could be covered by your insurance policy. Because of this, policyholders often fail to receive all of the insurance benefits that they pay for. Insurance agents, claim representatives and adjusters are also not qualified to provide policyholders with legal advice. Unfortunately, policyholders are frequently given inaccurate information regarding the benefits they are entitled to by insurance company employees.
Having an experienced attorney review your insurance claim is necessary if you want to make sure that you are not being wrongfully denied coverage. Insurance companies and policies are regulated by Michigan statutes and case law often dictates whether you are entitled to benefits for a specific loss. In some cases, even if the terms in your policy appear to exclude coverage for your loss, state law and judicial precedent may allow you to recover from your insurance company. Over the course of his career, Mr. Helveston has successfully litigated and settled cases where insurance companies have wrongfully withheld replacement benefits from his clients. He is familiar with the tactics used by insurance companies to deny, delay and underpay valid insurance claims and will work hard to make sure your claim is properly processed and paid. During your initial consultation, he will review your policy, explain the insurance claim process, and make sure that you are aware of your contractual rights and responsibilities.
Understand your Rights
Get The Benefits You Deserve
Policyholders that do not have a knowledgeable attorney help them also risk losing out on interest payments they may be entitled to. Michigan statutes provides for the addition of interest on first-party claims when an insurer fails to make a full payment to a policyholder within 60 days after receiving satisfactory proof of loss. Michigan law requires insurance companies to pay interest in order to deter unreasonable processing delays and the untimely payment of claims. Most policyholders are not aware that they are entitled to this interest and never receive it despite the fact that its payment is required by statute. Whether or not you are entitled to interest depends on several factors that Mr. Helveston will discuss with you in detail.
If you have suffered a loss, don't wait to schedule a consultation with an attorney! Homeowners and Commercial Insurance policies typically require that policyholders submit information within 60 days of a loss. The failure to comply with this deadline and other policy specific requirements can result in the complete denial of an otherwise valid claim. In many cases it may make sense to hire a public adjusting firm to assist in the production and submission of your claim. During your initial consultation, Mr. Helveston will let you know what information needs to be submitted to your insurance company and what should be done to preserve your right to insurance benefits.
Litigation
Claims
We provide legal advice and representation for home and business owners who have insurance claims for:
- Fire Damage
- Smoke Damage
- Flood Damage
- Water Damage
- Frozen Plumbing
- Wind Damage
- Loss of Rental
- Value Additional
- Living Expenses
- Business Interruption
- Theft Vandalism
- Personal Property
- Business Personal Property
- Loss of Business Income
- Debris Removal
- Tenant's Improvements & Betterments