First-Party Insurance Claims: What You Need to Know After a Natural Disaster
Recent extreme weather in the U.S. has not only resulted in tragic loss of life. It has also caused an estimated $47.5 billion in property damage for property owners in the Carolinas, Florida, and Georgia. As a result, millions of Americans must navigate the complex insurance claim process, which is often confusing and time-consuming.
The property damage lawyers at the Rhine Law Firm offer representation and assistance to North Carolina property owners whose homes have been significantly damaged or destroyed by natural disasters and other extreme weather events. If you retain our firm and we accept your case, we will fight tirelessly to get you the full insurance compensation you need. Please call or visit our Wilmington office as soon as you can after a disaster strikes.
First-Party Insurance Claims
First-party insurance claims involve a contract between the policyholder (the first-party) and the insurance company (the second party). In other words, a first-party claim is when you, the policyholder, file a claim directly with your insurance company for damage. For example, if your home flooded during the recent storms, you would file a first-party claim with your insurance. The specific losses that are covered depend on the terms of your contract.
How to Start the Claim Process After a Natural Disaster
Natural disasters are emotionally, physically, and financially devastating. Knowing when and how to file a claim is essential to rebuilding your life.
- Assess and document your losses. Before moving or repairing anything, take photos or video of the damage to your property and inventory everything.
- File a claim. It is often beneficial for your lawyer to handle both first-party and third-party claims, especially in complex cases. We can ensure that all claims are properly filed, gather necessary evidence, and navigate any complications related to liability or coverage disputes. We will work with your insurance company for first-party claims while communicating with the responsible party’s insurer for third-party claims.
- Meet with the adjuster. The insurance company sends an adjuster to your property to assess the damage and review your list of lost or destroyed items. Provide photos, videos, and receipts to help them calculate your losses. From there, they determine what can be rebuilt or replaced and how much that will cost. Be sure to write down the adjuster’s contact information and take notes during their visit.
- Navigate the insurance claims process. It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to undervalue a claim for property damage, especially after a natural disaster. They may attempt to dispute liability or say the policyholder made a mistake during the claim process. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and paying out as little as possible is part of their business model.
We have encountered these and other tactics from property and casualty insurance companies. We help people with significant or total losses by investigating each claim and using our knowledge of North Carolina insurance law and regulations to push back and get our clients the money they need to rebuild their property.
Dealing With Hurricane Losses? Schedule a Free Consultation
If your home or second home is a total loss, or you need to make a significant disaster claim under your property and casualty insurance policy, a North Carolina property damage lawyer from Rhine Law Firm in Wilmington can help you get the largest reimbursements available–according to your policy’s terms and conditions. We challenge low offers from claims adjusters and pursue every dollar a property owner is entitled to recover to rebuild damaged property.
Call or connect online to schedule a free consultation. Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you will not pay attorney’s fees unless we win compensation for your losses. We are proud to represent clients across North Carolina and throughout the nation.
About Us
Rhine Law Firm, P.C. serves clients throughout North Carolina and nationwide, specializing in complex civil litigation led by Joel Rhine. With expertise in personal injury, car accidents, property damage, sex abuse, and more, the firm is passionate about taking on challenging cases. They emphasize providing personalized legal representation, prioritizing their clients’ best interests while offering state-of-the-art legal strategies. Rhine Law Firm’s dedicated attorneys enjoy the fight for justice and are committed to guiding clients through complicated legal processes. The firm offers free consultations, flexible appointment scheduling, and Spanish language services.
