RUSSELL | LAW and Patrick Russell, Esq., a Florida Insurance Lawyer, can assist you with your Florida business insurance claim. Business insurance policies insure businesses against property damages to buildings, business equipment, and inventory due to accidents, storms, and theft. Likewise, commercial insurance policies can cover businesses against liability for negligent acts of the business or its employees. It is highly recommended that you read your entire insurance policy including all terms, conditions, and exclusions so you can understand your insurance coverage before you have a loss. It is never a good idea to find out after a loss that you do not have the proper insurance coverage. If you should have any questions as to the obligations of the insurance company under an insurance policy or if insurance coverage has been denied, you should consult with a lawyer immediately.
Florida Insurance coverage disputes can arise as to whether a particular claim, act, employee or property item is covered under the insurance policy. For example, intentional acts by the business or its employees are almost always excluded from coverage. However, accidents or the unintentional acts of others are generally covered under insurance. Whether a particular loss or property item is insured is determined by the insurance contract. As such, the determination of whether a particular claim is covered requires a thorough reading and analysis of the insurance policy.
Sometimes insurance companies try to deny an otherwise valid insurance claim because you may not have reported the insurance claim to them immediately. All insurance policies will contain a contractual requirement that you must timely report all claims and losses. Failure to timely report claims or losses could result in the denial of your insurance claim. Insurance claims, however, cannot be denied due to late reporting unless the late reporting had a prejudicial effect on the ability of the insurer to investigate the claim and loss.
Finally, disputes also arise when insurance companies insist that the insurance policy was canceled and thus there is no coverage. Florida law requires that a cancellation of an insurance policy must be in writing and sent to the insured with sufficient advance notice. Improper cancellation notice does not allow the insurance company to cancel your insurance policy.
Insurance coverage is obviously important to a business because without insurance the business is left exposed to liability for accidents and losses. This office will review all insurance policy conditions and exclusions. We will analyze coverage issues and damages. Russell Law will pursue an action for breach of contract or a declaratory action to determine insurance coverage and the insurer’s duty to defend when the same has been denied.