In Colorado, wind damage can occur from various weather events, including severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and high winds associated with blizzards or other extreme weather systems. Wind damage can cause a wide range of issues, including:
Wind Damage Attorney in Denver, Colorado
If you’re a homeowner in Denver, Colorado, you likely think wind damage won’t be much cause for concern. After all, the Denver area has a low or minor wind factor risk, with severe thunderstorms being the primary concern. However, tornadoes, blizzards and other serious storms can still target our communities, leaving lasting damage to homes and properties.
Insurance coverage is often an essential part of being able to begin rebuilding your life, and after suffering wind damage to your home, claim denials can seem like the end of the world. Let Fiedler Trial Lawyers help you handle the claim process and any other setbacks that may come your way.
Effects of Wind Damage on Your Property
Wind damage can occur even in weaker storms. More severe weather formations may produce gusts between 40 and 75 miles per hour, while an especially damaging thunderstorm may result in tornadoes with wind speeds of 100 miles per hour. During high winds, Denver properties often experience damage to outdoor items like lawn furniture or tool sheds. Pets and animals like chickens, horses, or livestock that are exposed to the elements face an increased risk of being affected by high winds as well.
Fallen Trees and Other Debris
Wind damage from strong gusts alone isn’t the only potential threat during a violent storm. Property owners may encounter fallen trees and large chunks of flying debris. Powerful winds can pick up large and heavy objects with each gust, sending them sailing into your windows, doors, and walls. Some examples of debris that may be picked up by the wind during a storm may include:
- Pieces from other buildings like gutters, wood, and glass
- Rocks and pebbles lifted from the ground
- Fence posts, playground equipment, and mailboxes
- Lawn furniture
- Uprooted trees or weakened branches.
At high speeds, these items can have a drastic impact and can cause significant damage to your property. No house or building in Denver is safe from the severe winds caused by a blizzard, thunderstorm, or tornado.
Power Outages
Wind damage can also affect your power supply. A tree falling on a powerline could cut electricity for an entire street. When the electrical supply returns, it moves through the grid at a higher voltage than the network can support.
This is called a power surge. Even if your home’s exterior makes it through the storm unscathed, a power surge can destroy expensive appliances, electronics, and electrical components. These can often cost thousands of dollars to replace.
Some surges even ignite electrical fires that can significantly damage your home’s interior. Sometimes these damages require additional coverage that your current insurance plan may not provide. If your Denver property has suffered significant wind damage, the devoted team of attorneys at Fiedler Trial Lawyers can assist you with filing a claim and guide you through a denial appeal if needed.
Building and Landscape Disruption
Finally, you could incur damage to your landscape, building, and any outdoor belongings. The following are some of the most common wind damage-related insurance claims we see in our practice:
- Roof damage: Forceful winds can blow shingles off roofs, exposing the subroofing to the elements. If a large tree falls, it could crash into and destroy the roof completely.
- Siding damage: Powerful winds can peel vinyl siding off of a house or building. A large object colliding with your home could also leave sizable damage in your walls.
- Window and door damage: Even small wind gusts can hit like a truck, and they can easily shatter glass windows or rip doors off their hinges. Damage is often exacerbated by debris crashing into windows.
- Vehicle damage: Particularly severe windstorms might cause vehicles on the road to roll over, while branches and trees might fall on nearby cars.
Knowing how to handle insurance claims and claim denials in Denver requires a wealth of experience, but our lawyers can help simplify the process. If your property has been damaged by a windstorm in Denver, don’t wait. Call Fiedler Trial Lawyers to schedule your free consultation today.
Wind Damage Claim Denials
Oftentimes, filing an insurance claim for wind damage is fairly straightforward in Denver, Colorado. You might receive compensation for your property damage without a problem. However, filing a claim for wind damage with your insurance company doesn’t always go as smoothly as you’d hope.
Your insurance provider may choose to reject your claim. However, claim denials don’t necessarily signal the end of the road, especially when you work with an experienced wind damage attorney who understands the claims process and knows how to negotiate with insurance providers.
Below, we’ll talk further about why your claim may have been denied, and what you can do to resolve the issue.
Why an Insurance Company Might Deny a Claim
So, why might your insurance company deny your wind damage claim? Insurance companies may have a number of reasons for denying your claim, including:
- Capped policy: Many policies will only cover a certain amount of damage before reaching their limit. You might receive a denial if you’ve already reached your cap.
- Missed deadline: Insurance providers expect their policyholders to file claims within a specific timeframe. Failing to file before the deadline could result in your claim being rejected.
- Unmet deductible costs: Your repairs from the wind damage must meet a minimal coverage amount. Otherwise, your provider may not pay for the services.
- Too little documentation: You need plenty of photo or video evidence, plus a few service estimates to support your claim. Otherwise, your provider may deny your claim for a “lack of evidence.”
- Suspicions of intentional damage: Insurers can reject claims if they suspect their policyholders purposefully damaged their homes to receive coverage.
- Property neglect: Some insurers hold policyholders accountable for damages caused or accelerated by property neglect. Maintaining your home and other structures on your property is essential.
- No precautions: Your provider may rule that the damage was avoidable on the grounds that taking the proper precautions could have limited the damage. For example, boarding up windows protects panes from shattering.
- Unpaid balance: If you don’t consistently pay your insurance premiums, you may receive a claim denial until you can rectify the account balance.
- Inaccurate claim statements: Your provider will likely check the claim details to ensure they all align. Claim discrepancies can lead to denials.
- Policy exclusions: Review your policy to clarify what it will cover. If it doesn’t include wind damage, you won’t be eligible for coverage.
What To Do When You File a Claim
Once you determine the extent of the wind damage, you should start documenting it as soon as possible. Begin by photographing each damaged structure on your property. Pay close attention to the roof, exterior siding, and porch.
Next, contact local service providers in Denver for estimates. At least three quotes should give you a decent view of what the damages might cost. Then, review your insurance policy. If you are unsure of the terms of your policy, you can ask our legal team for assistance or ask an agent from your insurance company to answer any questions you have.
After gathering all the necessary information, you can file your claim. An adjuster sent by your insurance provider will visit your property to determine whether the damage reflects what’s stated in your claim.
Handling Denials With a Wind Damage Attorney
Sometimes, a Denver insurance provider will deny a claim, despite the policyholder providing ample documentation and numerous estimates. If your claim is denied, it’s time to start the appeal process:
- Review the denial letter with your lawyer. The letter should clearly outline the reason(s) your provider denied the claim. Your lawyer will know how to move forward with the issue.
- Your lawyer drafts and sends an appeal letter. A formal appeal letter will communicate why the denial doesn’t apply to your wind damage situation.
- Schedule a re-inspection request with an adjuster. Your provider might schedule an additional inspection. You might have a third-party contractor and your attorney present for this event.
- Ask about resolution information. After the second inspection, request a specific date that you should expect to hear back from your company.
- Ask again if the resolution date passes without any new information. If you don’t receive a response by the predetermined date, send a follow-up letter regarding the denial and additional findings.
- Discuss how to move forward with your Denver lawyer. If you don’t receive a response, consult with your lawyer about escalating your claim.
Damages and Compensation Available
After a windstorm causes significant damage to your property, you will naturally want to secure compensation from your insurance company to begin the recovery effort. However, compensation recovery can be difficult and time-consuming. When seeking compensation for wind damage, Denver households often encounter some of these unfortunately common scenarios.
- Your insurance provider might offer underestimated or insufficient damage coverage instead of the full coverage needed to cover repair costs.
- Even if you receive the whole coverage amount, your provider might delay payments by giving you the run-around or not keeping track of its contractual duties.
- Claim denials can lead to additional damage. You might need the full coverage amount plus compensation for the repairs that developed while you waited.
Our legal team at Fiedler Trial Lawyers will go over your case with a fine-tooth comb to assess the damage and determine a fair settlement. Understanding what compensation is required for your wind damage coverage needs allows us to gauge an effective approach for negotiating with your insurance company.
Underestimated Damage
An adjuster from the insurance company will typically come to the policyholder’s property to scope out the severity of the wind damage. They sometimes undervalue the damage’s extent. This undervaluing may even be done intentionally to save the provider money. However, it is possible that an adjustor may unintentionally miss a couple of things and make a few genuine mistakes.
Either way, you still need the proper compensation to begin repairing and restoring your property. A Denver wind damage lawyer can help secure those funds and prevent additional damage or exorbitant expenses from piling higher.
Payment Delays
An insurance policy is basically a contract between you and your provider. You handle your contractual obligations, like paying premiums on time and taking care of property per the agreement, and your insurer holds up their end of the deal by covering any wind damage in a timely manner.
Payment delays can halt restoration and repair progress. We work to secure those payments promptly and may explore punitive compensation measures if necessary.
Claim Denials
If your insurance company denies your wind damage claim without sufficient reasoning, they may owe compensatory damages to help you shoulder the initial and resulting costs. Claim denials can set Denver homeowners back financially and delay the repairs needed for their property. Since they can’t afford to fix the current damage, it may continue to worsen the longer they ignore it.
Dealing With Insurance
Many Denver residents receive compensation for their property damage after a windstorm without a problem. However, this is not a reality for many homeowners. For those who have been let down by their insurance companies, the wind damage attorneys at Fiedler Trial Lawyers are here to provide you with exceptional legal support.
At their cores, insurance companies are still businesses looking to turn a profit however they can. Your provider may deny wind damage claims, avoid reviewing them, or use false premises to limit the coverage you receive. This is known as, ‘acting in bad faith.’ Consulting with one of our lawyers can help to quickly resolve the situation by holding your insurance provider accountable for their misconduct.
It is advised that you contact an attorney as soon as you are ready to file a claim. This ensures your legal team is more than ready with a response in the event your provider denies the claim or causes you any other issues. If your claim has been denied, it is definitely time to reach out to one of our qualified attorneys.
When you consult with our team, we are happy to answer any questions you may have, such as:
- How much experience do you have with wind damage claims like mine?
- Can you provide a ballpark estimate of how much your services will cost?
- Can you work with payment plans?
- How many wind damage cases have you settled in favor of your clients?
- Can you estimate the settlement amount for my case?
- How long do you think the legal process will take?
Our firm has nothing to hide, and we are proud to have an impressive track record of helping Denver families secure compensation for their wind damage claims for years. Our attorneys are happy to answer any questions you may have. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
What To Do After a Windstorm Damages Your Property
Enduring a windstorm can be a devastating experience. One moment, you are going about your day as usual; the next, you are taking cover to protect you and your family from serious injuries.
Once you are able to safely exit your shelter and assess the damage, follow these steps to ensure your claim is handled correctly.
- Collect hard evidence of the damage. Ready your camera and take photos of any damage that you can find. You can also record footage for real-time shots of affected structures and other areas of the property.
- Schedule a consultation with Fiedler Trial Lawyers. You don’t have to wait for a claim denial in order to contact an attorney for help. We can advise you on additional evidence to collect and other information you may need.
- Protect your property as needed. Make small, makeshift repairs where possible to protect your home and personal belongings. Try to take pictures of the wreckage before any repairs are made so that the insurance company understands the full extent of the damage.
- Request estimates from trusted service providers. Always ask service providers who are not connected to your insurance company for their opinions. You can use their estimates to negotiate the compensation.
- Work with your attorney to organize and submit the information to your insurance provider. We’ll help you submit a factual, well-documented claim. The stronger your claim is, the less likely it is to be denied.
- Wait for your provider’s response. We are here to stand by your side every step of the way and guide you through everything that follows.
How Fiedler Trial Lawyers Can Help
If your Denver insurer is giving you the runaround after a wind damage claim, consult with Fiedler Trial Lawyers. Our attorneys are here to fight for your claim and ensure that you receive the fair compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wind Damage Insurance Claims in Denver, Colorado
While significant wind damage is uncommon in Denver, preparedness is always important.
What Should I Avoid When Submitting an Insurance Claim for Wind Damage?
You should avoid faux pas like insinuating or admitting fault, failing to submit documentation on time, and not knowing the details of your policy when filing a claim. You also shouldn’t sign any paperwork or provide written documents to your provider without consulting your lawyer first.
Can I Negotiate My Wind Damage Insurance Claim?
Yes, you can typically negotiate your wind damage insurance claim. However, it is strongly recommended that you have an experienced wind damage attorney by your side when beginning negotiations.
How Can I Protect Myself From Wind Damage Claim Denials in Denver, Colorado?
You can protect yourself from wind damage claim denials by familiarizing yourself with your insurance policy and discussing services, estimates, and related topics with your legal counsel and third-party service providers. These precautions can prevent your policy provider from lowballing you.
What Do I Do If My Insurer Lowballs Me?
If your insurer does lowball you, you should appeal the coverage amount with help from one of our attorneys. It is not uncommon for homeowners to receive an insulting offer from their insurance provider after suffering property damage.
For more information about how the devoted team at Fiedler Trial Lawyers can make a difference in your wind damage claim, call today and schedule your free consultation. Our firm is here to help you secure the compensation you deserve, and help you and your family get started on a path toward recovery.
Frequently
Asked Questions
What to do after a car accident?
If you’ve been injured in an accident, there are several important steps you should take to protect your health and legal rights
- Dial 911 – Emergency Services. Get checked out by emergency responders, even if you think injuries are minor, you should always get evaluated. If the accident involved a motor vehicle, file a report with the police This documentation could be important later on.
- Document the Scene: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to vehicles or property. Collect contact information from witnesses and others involved in the accident READ MORE…
When involved in a personal injury claim, the process can be very intimidating. Many individuals facing this situation are often dealing with life-altering injuries, high medical bills, financial hardships and find themselves feeling very vulnerable.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer can be beneficial in a variety of situations, particularly when you have sustained significant injuries or damages due to someone else’s negligenceREAD MORE…
After being injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be wondering if you actually need to hire a personal injury lawyer. You would want to consult with an attorney, because in most cases, there will be an opposing party in your case that will be working against you. Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your case is important to ensure you receive the best possible representation and outcome. Hiring a Denver Personal injury lawyer that specializes in that area of law is crucial, to ensure that you are getting proper representation, and your case is in good hands. Having an experienced lawyer like FIEDLER Trial Lawyers is helpful and provides powerful representation.
Here are some tips to help you choose the right lawyer:READ MORE…
The cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer can vary depending on the lawyer and the specifics of your case. However, personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if they win your case. Here’s how the contingency fee structure typically works and other potential costs to consider:
Contingency Fees: Percentage of Recovery: If the lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, they will take a percentage of the settlement or judgment amount you receive if you win your case. This percentage is typically around 33% to 40% but can vary depending on the lawyer and the jurisdiction.
No Win, No Fee: If you do not win your case, the lawyer will not charge you for legal fees. However, there may still be other costs you could be responsible for (discussed below).RAED MORE…
In a personal injury claim, you may be entitled to several types of compensation, also known as damages, to address the losses and injuries you’ve suffered due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. The types of compensation typically fall into three main categories: economic, non-economic, and, in some cases, punitive damages. Here’s an overview of each:
Economic Damages: These damages are intended to compensate you for actual financial losses resulting from the injury:
Medical Expenses: Compensation for past, current, and future medical costs, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and any other necessary medical treatment. READ MORE…
The value of a personal injury case can vary greatly depending on several factors unique to your situation. Since each case is different, there is no standard formula to calculate the exact value. However, here are some key factors that generally affect the worth of a personal injury case:
Severity of Injuries: The more serious and long-lasting your injuries, the higher the potential value of your case. This includes considering whether your injuries result in permanent disability or disfigurement.
Medical Expenses: Your case will take into account all medical expenses you have incurred, as well as future medical costs related to your injury.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: The case can include compensation for lost income due to time off work and any future loss of earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work.READ MORE…
Our Client’s Say It Best
The best way to know and trust our Attorney Law Firm is to read
directly from our own clients.
directly from our own clients.
Kevin
10 months ago
This is the representation that you are looking for! Ken Fiedler hits every box; from punctuality to communication to professionalism. I couldn’t be more satisfied to have chosen Ken to solve this unfortunate problem of mine. He will do the same for you!
Franscheliz
a year ago
I want to take this opportunity to thank this team for everything they did for my family. James and Ken worked on my case with the dedication and tact that you need the most. They fought for my family like I was part of theirs and made me feel seen and heard. This is the type of law firm you want and…
Brandi
a year ago
Ken and his staff are top notch! Ken helped my son and I with our auto accident case. He always took the time to answer our questions or explain things in more detail if needed. Ken is honest, straightforward, and a pleasure to work with. I will always recommend Ken and his team and…
TIME To Take Action
We make it simple. No time for a phone call now? Complete this form and we will schedule a call at your convenience. Your information is confidential.
Offices
4725 S. Monaco Street, Suite 120
Denver, CO 80237
Phone: 720-996-6000
1800 Wazee Street, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202
77 West Wacker Drive, Suite 4500
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 303-225-5536
Free detailed case review.
KEN FIEDLER | 303.CALL.KEN