Homeowners Insurance Attorney

Homeowner’s insurance, often called property insurance, pays for the repair or rebuilding of a house which is damaged by fire, hail, wind, or sewer backups, just to name a few. However, damage by earth movement, flood, and mold, among other things, are usually not covered unless specifically paid for. You need to understand what is excluded from coverage, and if you can buy a “rider” which will cover those exclusions. Two of the most frequent reasons homeowners insurance claims are denied are the application of policy exclusions and disputes over value of property. The insurance attorneys at Stutheit & Gartland, P.C., can help with these and other homeowner claim disputes.

Stutheit & Gartland, P.C. successfully sued insurance agents who neglected to tell their clients that they should buy coverage for building code required upgrades to their homes.

Homeowners are often conflicted between a roofing contractor and an insurance adjuster.  Do not sign a roofing contract before you read our blog about roofing contracts.

You are entitled to prompt assessment and timely benefits when your home is damaged. If you are sitting in a damaged house, waiting for a fair repair offer, it might be time to call your attorney.  Section 10-3-1116(1) in the Colorado Revised Statutes provides that an insurance policy beneficiary “whose claim for payment of benefits has been unreasonably delayed or denied may bring an action in a district court to recover reasonable attorney fees and court costs and two times the covered benefit.” An insurer’s delay or denial was unreasonable if the insurer delayed or denied authorizing payment of a covered benefit without a reasonable basis for that action.

A homeowner’s policy also pays for replacement of the personal items inside your home if they are damaged by the same causes that damage the house, or if they are stolen.  Do not throw away damaged furniture, clothing, etc. without first making a photo record. Do not submit to an investigation, or interview, about what you claim was damaged without first consulting your attorney.

Our lawyers will contact your insurance company on your behalf, demanding to know why the matter has not been settled. We can hold the company legally accountable for the denial and free you to focus on moving forward with life.

See the Stutheit & Gartland blog:

Home Inspectors – posted October 31, 2012

Residential Roofing Contracts – posted April 1, 2013

Slip and Fall- What The Law Says – posted April 4, 2013