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Orlando Commercial Insurance Claims Accident Attorneys

Did your commercial property sustain damage due to an unforeseen accident in Orlando, Florida? Are you concerned about paying for repairs and protecting your investment while the damage wreaks havoc on your business? If you pay for commercial property insurance, you should be eligible for compensation that covers certain repair costs and business losses, but claiming the money you need is often easier said than done.

Every year, countless commercial property owners struggle to cover repair costs and keep their businesses afloat after unexpected property damage accidents. Commercial insurance companies that should protect their policyholders in the event of covered losses are notorious for irritating claim delays, absurd policy exclusions, and baseless denials. If you are trying to take on a frustrating insurance provider and are getting nowhere after a commercial property accident, you need help from an experienced and effective property damage attorney.

When you work with the Orlando commercial insurance claims accident lawyer, you can rest assured that your commercial property damage claim is in capable hands. Our team of gifted legal professionals has years of experience providing compassionate and intelligent legal help for individuals, families, and business owners in Orlando. Let us protect your rights and demand the insurance benefits you deserve while you get your property back in shape. Please keep reading or contact our firm for a free case review to learn more.

Why Choose Michael T. Gibson, P.A.?

Dealing with the insurance company after an accident is often daunting, but finding the right property damage lawyer doesn’t have to be. Attorney Michael T. Gibson, P.A., and his talented legal team have the resources and know-how to rival the big corporate firms, plus the personalization and responsiveness of a hometown office.

We can help you get your property back on track after an accident by:

  • Reviewing your situation, determining the extent of your insurance coverage, and helping you understand your rights as a policyholder
  • Handling all communication with the insurance company on your behalf, including interactions with insurance inspectors, adjusters, and investigators
  • Conducting an investigation into the accident to determine the most likely causes and effects of the damage and calculate a reasonable estimate for your claim
  • Helping you access any short-term funds you might need to prevent additional property damage or mitigate business interruption losses
  • Working with you to manage emergency scenarios and expenses, such as paying for structural repairs, replacement equipment, or employee wages
  • Preparing an effective commercial insurance claim with thorough documentation and strong supporting evidence on your behalf
  • Representing you during insurance settlement negotiations, informal disputes, and appraisal hearings if your provider undervalues or denies your claim
  • Filing a bad faith insurance lawsuit on your behalf and representing you in court if your provider fails to handle your claim fairly or honestly

Our firm has secured millions of dollars in fair compensation for local accident victims and property owners like you. When you’re ready for us to stand up to the insurance company on your behalf, come by our Baldwin Park office location in person or contact us online to get started with your free consultation.

Compensation for Commercial Property Damage Claims

If your commercial property sustains damage in an unexpected accident, you could experience numerous losses, expenses, and related concerns that will not affect most private property owners. Fortunately, commercial property insurance policies cover many common losses from unexpected accidents.

For instance, your policy might cover:

  • Damage to commercial structures and fixtures. Most commercial property insurance policies will pay for damage to your property’s permanent structures and fixtures as long as a covered event causes the damage. Commonly covered events include unintentional fires, wind storms, and criminal activity. If you have a commercial policy, it should pay for damage from covered events that affect your property’s walls, roof, foundations, and other structures.
  • Damage to business personal property. Some policies include coverage for business personal property (BPP), including the objects inside and immediately outside your commercial property. If you have BPP coverage, it should pay for damage to things in and around your property, like furnishings, machinery, equipment, stock, and personal items you use for business purposes.
  • Damage to the personal property of others. Most commercial insurance policies extend your coverage to include the personal property of others when you are responsible for that property. If you have this type of coverage, it should pay for damage to items you are borrowing or renting from others for business purposes and customer belongings that are currently on your property.
  • Business operations interruption losses. If you included business interruption coverage when you purchased your commercial insurance policy, it should pay for any physical or financial business losses you incur due to the accident. For instance, you could claim compensation for lost business profits, lost operating expenses, or extended interruption costs.

Remember that your commercial policy will not cover everything, even when a covered event occurs. For instance, your commercial property insurance policy will not pay for injuries to your employees or customers after a covered event. Injured employees and customers must file claims with your workers’ compensation and general liability policies, respectively.

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Compensation for Commercial Property Damage Claims

If your commercial property sustains damage in an unexpected accident, you could experience numerous losses, expenses, and related concerns that will not affect most private property owners. Fortunately, commercial property insurance policies cover many common losses from unexpected accidents.

For instance, your policy might cover:

  • Damage to commercial structures and fixtures. Most commercial property insurance policies will pay for damage to your property’s permanent structures and fixtures as long as a covered event causes the damage. Commonly covered events include unintentional fires, wind storms, and criminal activity. If you have a commercial policy, it should pay for damage from covered events that affect your property’s walls, roof, foundations, and other structures.
  • Damage to business personal property. Some policies include coverage for business personal property (BPP), including the objects inside and immediately outside your commercial property. If you have BPP coverage, it should pay for damage to things in and around your property, like furnishings, machinery, equipment, stock, and personal items you use for business purposes.
  • Damage to the personal property of others. Most commercial insurance policies extend your coverage to include the personal property of others when you are responsible for that property. If you have this type of coverage, it should pay for damage to items you are borrowing or renting from others for business purposes and customer belongings that are currently on your property.
  • Business operations interruption losses. If you included business interruption coverage when you purchased your commercial insurance policy, it should pay for any physical or financial business losses you incur due to the accident. For instance, you could claim compensation for lost business profits, lost operating expenses, or extended interruption costs.

Remember that your commercial policy will not cover everything, even when a covered event occurs. For instance, your commercial property insurance policy will not pay for injuries to your employees or customers after a covered event. Injured employees and customers must file claims with your workers’ compensation and general liability policies, respectively.

Commercial Property Damage Facts and Statistics

Orlando is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and is reportedly emerging as a southeastern tech hub of the United States, so Orlando is full of commercial properties.

Let’s review some key data that reveals the many perils affecting commercial properties throughout the U.S.:

  • In one recent year, the insurance industry reported nearly $185 billion in insured losses among commercial policyholders.
  • Damage from flooding increasingly threatens the commercial real estate market, with roughly 730,000 retail, office, and multi-unit commercial properties facing an annualized risk for flood damage nationwide.
  • Insurance experts estimate that structural damage from flooding could cost as much as $13.5 billion in a single year.
  • During one five-year period, U.S. fire departments reportedly responded to more than 3,300 fires in commercial office properties per year.
  • As a result of the commercial office fires that occurred each year, there were an average of four deaths, 44 nonfatal injuries, and $112 million in property damage.
  • Approximately one in four businesses never reopen when an unforeseen disaster, such as a hurricane or tornado, forces the business to close.

Common Types of Commercial Property Damage

Many commercial properties are in exposed or high-traffic locations that leave them vulnerable to:

  • Fire damage. Fires and explosions can affect commercial properties when people leave cooking fires unattended, fail to properly store volatile substances, or install electrical systems without appropriate safeguards. Smoke from fires can also permeate interior surfaces and settle into furniture and other soft objects.
  • Storm damage. The most common type of storm damage that affects commercial properties in Orlando comes from hurricanes, which bring rain, strong winds, and destruction. Some Orlando properties also sustain damage from thunderstorms, lightning strikes, tornadoes, and hailstorms.
  • Water damage. Hurricanes cause plenty of water damage in Orlando, but many commercial properties also sustain water damage from flooding. Flooding can occur due to heavy rain, leaks, or plumbing failures and often contributes to several other issues, such as structural defects and mold growth.
  • Other damage. Criminal behavior and civil disturbances can also lead to commercial property damage in the form of vandalism, burglary, and theft. Commercial properties can sustain damage from criminal acts due to civil demonstrations, disgruntled employees, and angry customers.

Filing a Commercial Insurance Claim After an Accident

When you file a commercial insurance claim after a property damage accident, it is often difficult to get the compensation you need for a few reasons. First, many insurance companies will dispute the cause or extent of the damage, which often makes it harder to prove that your policy covers the damage. Commercial insurance policies usually have more exclusions and conditions that are harder to meet when you file a claim than personal policies.

Commercial insurance companies will generally do whatever they can to limit the amount of money they have to pay for your claim. They might do this by using loopholes in your policy or unfavorably interpreting it. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, so their primary concern is always to protect their bottom line, not to cover your losses. That’s why it’s best to work with an experienced commercial insurance claims attorney who can help you demand appropriate compensation for your losses.

At the Law Firm of Michael T. Gibson, P.A., our Orlando attorneys are all too familiar with the underhanded tactics that insurance companies use to avoid paying their fair share. We are here to stand up to greedy corporations and pursue fair recoveries on behalf of commercial property owners in the Sunshine State.

What to Do If Your Commercial Property Sustains Damage

If your commercial property sustains damage due to an unforeseen event, to lay the foundation for a successful insurance claim you can:

  • Document everything. Take pictures and videos of the damage to your property, make a list of all the damaged items, and locate documentation showing the value of your property.
  • Mitigate the damage. Take steps to mitigate the damage to your property, which means preventing the damage from worsening. You might need to throw tarps over holes in your roof, board up broken windows, or set up a dehumidifier.
  • Contact your insurance provider. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the damage. When you make the call, have your policy number and other relevant information ready.
  • Cooperate with the adjuster. The insurance company will likely send an adjuster to inspect the damage and assess the cost of repairs. Follow them around during their inspection and take note of anything they evaluate.
  • Hire a contractor. Find a licensed contractor to get an estimate of the repair costs you can provide to your insurance company.
  • Contact an attorney. Hire an attorney with experience handling commercial insurance claims to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Contact a Commercial Insurance Claims Accident Lawyer in Orlando

If your commercial property sustained damage and you need help filing an insurance claim, or if you have already submitted a claim and need representation, Michael T. Gibson, P.A. can help you. We have the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue fair compensation on your behalf and hold your insurance provider accountable.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your rights as a commercial property owner, don’t hesitate to contact our firm at (407) 490-1271 for a free initial consultation session.

Commercial Property Damage and Insurance FAQs
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Still have questions about your commercial property damage insurance claim? Here are some straightforward answers:

You can provide documentation such as weather forecasts, police reports, witness statements, and photographs or videos of the damage to your insurance company. You can also cooperate with the insurance adjuster when they come to your property to inspect the damage and investigate the cause.

It depends on your insurance company and the specifics of your claim. Some insurance companies will increase your premiums if you file several claims in a short period or if you file a claim after a high-risk event.

You have three years after your property sustains damage to file a claim with your insurance company. If you fail to file your claim within this time, you could lose your right to seek compensation. File your claim as soon as possible after the damage occurs and work with a lawyer who has experience handling commercial insurance claims to avoid costly mistakes.