Signing a property damage release form allows the insurance company to finalize your claim. When you sign this form, you agree that the insurance company owes you nothing more. Therefore, you should be cautious about signing on the dotted line of a property release form. You may even want an attorney to review your claim and the property damage release form before you sign.
The property damage attorneys at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, help clients make sense of their property damage claims. We have worked since 2004 to get the money that policyholders deserve for property damage. We can assist with your claim, so feel free to call us for a no-cost consultation today.
The idea of a property damage release form is simple enough. When your property becomes damaged, your insurance company will offer you money. You can either accept the insurer’s settlement offer or seek more compensation. If you accept the offer, the insurance company will ask that you sign a property damage release form.
Signing the property damage release form means that:
Property damage release forms are legally binding documents. Signing the release form is a significant decision, especially if you have considerable property damage. Even if you think you understand the details of the property damage release form, you may want an attorney to review the document for you.
Damage release forms are standard in any property claim.
A signed release form absolves the insurance company of any further responsibility, so these forms are necessary whenever a policyholder files a property claim, including those for:
If you have property damage and file an insurance claim, you will face a property damage release form sooner or later.
When it comes to property damage releases, the priority is avoiding potentially costly mistakes.
As a claimant, you should not:
Many of us are accustomed to signing forms for the smallest of transactions. However, a property damage release form carries great weight. Once you sign, you lose your right to seek more money from the insurance company. If you find out that your losses cost more than you think and have already signed a property damage release form, you will likely have to pay out-of-pocket for certain losses.
Policyholders file insurance claims because they want total and fair compensation for their covered losses. Therefore, you should not sign a property damage release form unless you are absolutely certain that you are getting a fair settlement. You will only know that after they consult a property damage lawyer.
You (or your attorney) may ensure that the insurance company’s settlement offer is fair by:
Once you have completed these steps, you should remain cautious about signing a property damage release form. Speaking with an attorney can be another safeguard before you sign a property release form. Your lawyer may offer specific advice, their network of experts, and other benefits that protect you from prematurely signing a property damage release form.
You may consider simply letting time pass after you have hired an attorney. You may discover additional property damage in the days, weeks, or even months after you first discover damage. It is important that you include all covered losses in your property damage claim, and patience may allow you to identify all such losses.
You should not sign a property damage release form if you have any doubts about your claim.
You may have pause about signing the property damage release form if:
You may also want an attorney to review your settlement offer, property damage release form, and other claim-related paperwork. Policyholders can make mistakes and miscalculations, and an attorney may be a great asset for your claim.
The Insurance Information Institute (III) explains that insurers have a comprehensive knowledge of property damage insurance and related claims. You may want an attorney with a similar level of knowledge, as this may level the playing field between you and the insurance company.
An attorney can:
If you have completed an insurance claim before, you know that dealing with insurance companies can be stressful and time-consuming. These interactions may seem even more tedious when you have extensive property damage. Rather than juggling property cleanup, repairs, and dealings with the insurance company, you can have your lawyer handle the insurers for you.
Your lawyer can:
You will not have to worry about what the insurance company needs from you or when the insurance adjuster might call next. Your attorney will handle all claim-related responsibilities and will contact you if they need anything.
Your attorney will lead the investigation of your property damage. They may hire experts in a specific field of property damage. Those experts (and your attorney) may photograph and video record your property damage. With experts’ help, your lawyer will determine what caused your property damage, what allowed the damage to occur, and what repairs you will need to restore your property.
Experts will also help your attorney calculate the exact cost of your property damage. Your lawyer may contact cleanup professionals, contractors, and anyone else who knows what your property repairs will cost.
Your lawyer will negotiate for the settlement you deserve. While an insurance company may provide a fair settlement offer, this is not always the case. Policyholders’ attorneys often find themselves in negotiations with insurance companies, and this is where an attorney may prove their worth.
Your lawyer may argue for a fair settlement by:
Insurance companies may seek to avoid a lawsuit or other legal action if possible. Settling your claim fairly may allow the insurance company to avoid a legal fight, but fair insurance settlements do not always come easy.
If necessary, your lawyer should take legal action against the insurance company or another liable party. Florida statutes recognize many illegal insurance practices, and your lawyer will take appropriate action if they encounter such practices while handling your claim.
Your covered losses will depend on the nature of your property damage claim.
Some common losses in property insurance claims include:
An attorney from our firm can review your claim and identify your covered losses.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA can help with your property damage claim. We will ensure you receive a fair settlement offer before signing a property damage release form. If we need to take further legal action to pursue the money you deserve, our attorneys will.
Call Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA today at (727) 451-6900 for your free consultation. You can also contact us online to get a lawyer’s help with your property claim.
The Dolman Law Group works with local counsel in any jurisdiction outside Florida for the purpose of filing lawsuits in jurisdictions wherein we are not licensed. Thus, we will follow each State’s ethical rules to ensure a local attorney is involved.
This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits. Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.
