Theft Insurance Claims

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Fort Myers Theft Insurance Claims Attorney

It is often terrifying to discover that a stranger entered your home or business and took your belongings or damaged your property. Because valuable objects are often the target of thieves, theft-related losses are more prevalent than you might expect. What’s more, a burglar may have also caused damage to your property in order to gain access. If you own a business, theft can disrupt operations, cost you money, and even cause you to lose critical clients or vendor connections.

After discovering stolen items, the first thing you should do is call the police and provide the authorities with information about the loss so they can file a report. The next steps are to file a claim with your insurance and to contact a Fort Myers theft claims attorney who can guide you through the claims process.

How To File a Theft Insurance Claim

Often times you must be able to first prove you possessed each item in order to obtain compensation for the stolen property. With that in mind, it’s usually a good idea to keep a complete and up-to-date inventory of your valuable belongings. However, in the case that you don’t keep such an inventory, our Florida property insurance lawyers at McIntyre & Bermudez, PLLC can assist you by utilizing credit statements, invoices, owner’s manuals, and other papers to prove ownership if theft occurs. We can also assist you in compiling complete lists of stolen objects, as well as their value and other pertinent information to your claim.

It is also important in your insurance claim to obtain evidence of any damage done to your property. You can do this by taking photos or videos of said damage. Once you have collected enough evidence, you will need to file a theft claim with your insurance company. As this process can sometimes be confusing, we generally recommended that you obtain the help of an attorney before or during the claim process.

Common Types of Theft Insurance Claims

Insurance claims are frequently filed to recover the following stolen items:

  • Jewelry
  • Artwork
  • Sports memorabilia
  • Coins and precious metals (gold, silver, etc.)
  • Electronics & gadgets
  • Designer clothing, purses, or shoes
  • Vehicles
  • Animals
  • Furniture
  • ATVs
  • Gaming consoles (Xbox, Playstation, etc.)

Theft Insurance Claim Denied?

If you’ve contacted your insurance provider about a claim and it’s been either denied or underpaid, you should take the following steps right away:

  • Keep a file of all documents/photos of damages, so you can retain evidence of your loss.
  • Document all interactions with your insurance provider.
  • Call the theft insurance claims attorneys at McIntyre & Bermudez, PLLC.

If you follow these steps, there is a good chance you may achieve much more compensation than your insurance provider may have initially offered.

Is Vandalism Covered By Insurance?

Another thing that can sometimes go hand in hand with theft is vandalism. Like theft, vandalism can happen to anyone at any time and for seemingly no reason at all. It is not uncommon for thieves to vandalize property at the scene of the theft. Broken windows, spray-painted walls or structures, and broken light fixtures are all common types of vandalism.

Even if the vandalism is “only” from someone egging your house, the consequences might be costly. Fortunately, many theft claims that are covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy also incorporate vandalism protection.

Why You Need a Theft Insurance Claims Attorney

When resolving a theft insurance issue, it is critical to get legal advice from a knowledgeable insurance attorney. In fact, a good rule of thumb is to accept an insurance settlement only after you have carefully read it and had it reviewed by an insurance attorney. If you accept the initial offer and you later find it to be much less than what you deserve, you might lose the right to adjust your claim for a higher payout in the future.

Not only can an attorney determine if you have a case based on comprehensive claim facts and a study of your policy papers, but they also have the ability to analyze insurance contract wording while taking into account their understanding of insurance regulations. If you are dealing with an insurance company that has guaranteed coverage but has denied or underpaid your claim, your attorney will recognize this right away and thoroughly explain all of your options.

If you seek to file a theft insurance claim, or if you already have and your claim has been denied or underpaid, the Fort Myers theft insurance claims attorneys at McIntyre & Bermudez, PLLC can help. Give us a call at 239.935.8426 or fill out our online claim form to schedule your consultation today.