News & Resources

When a hurricane, fire or other disaster damages your business, filing a business interruption insurance claim may be your only option to cover your company’s expenses during the repairs. If you cannot sell because your systems are down or your facilities are inaccessible, business interruption insurance can provide the income replacement you need to stay afloat you go through the rebuilding process. If you purchased “extended” coverage, your policy will cover your business losses for a period after you reopen as well. So, you purchased business interruption insurance, and now you need to use it. What do you do? 1. Contact Your Insurance Company. First, you should file a claim with your business interruption insurer right away. Generally speaking, you want to get your claim on file as soon as possible after the interruption occurs – so it is clear that all ensuing losses relate to the interruption and not another, non-insured issue. 2. Make Sure You Know What is Covered. At this point, you need to sit down with your business interruption insurance policy and make sure you know what is covered. Read through your policy carefully, and seek legal advice where you have questions. Insureds often run into issues with their insurers denying valid claims or misrepresenting the terms of their policies, and you do not want to let bad-faith insurance practices get in the way of your business’s recovery. 3. Take Appropriate Steps to Mitigate the Damage. This can get tricky with business interruption insurance; but, after […]

If your home has been damaged in a storm, there are several important steps you need to take to protect your rights against your insurance company. This step-by-step guide will help you avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your homeowner’s insurance or flood insurance claim. 1. Make Sure You and Your Loved Ones are Safe. First and foremost, safety should be your top priority. No amount of hassle with your insurance company is worth putting your (or anyone else’s) life at risk. Comply with any mandatory evacuation orders, follow the instructions of emergency personnel and first responders, and make sure you are safely out of harm’s way before you start thinking about your insurance claim. 2. Contact Your Insurance Company. Once it is safe to do so, you should contact your insurance company and file your claim. If the storm caused widespread damage, you can expect delays; and, the sooner you get started, the sooner you can expect a resolution. Make sure you have your policy number and policy documents handy (most major insurance companies have apps that allow you to access your policy information on your phone). 3. Cautiously Inspect Your Home. Once it is safe to do so, you should try to inspect your home. Be careful while doing so, and keep a safe distance from potential hazards such as electrical wires, gas lines and damaged building materials overhead. Take photos with your phone (try to be as comprehensive as possible), and follow up with your insurer if any […]

Experienced Miami Health Insurance Lawyer   In the healthcare context, the insured are often surprised by the denial of their claims, and perhaps not unreasonably — when signing up for coverage, prospective policyholders are often sold an “ideal” of comprehensive coverage.  In essence, they are made to feel safe and secure.  The truth is substantially more complicated. Insurance companies will use any available justification to deny a claim.  This is particularly exacerbated in healthcare situations where the insured is seeking out alternative care, or even experimental care. We can help you secure the benefits you’re owed. Ver Ploeg & Marino, P.A. is a Miami-based insurance litigation firm with decades of experience representing the interests of policyholders, and in a variety of disputes — including those that center around healthcare claim denials.  We are a practical, detail-oriented firm that is relentless in securing a favorable result.  Over the years, we have obtained numerous multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients. Unlike many of our insurance litigation competitors, we have spent a significant amount of time in the courtroom, navigating the hostile battlefield that characterizes a traditional lawsuit. As such, we have the reputation necessary to put pressure on insurance companies to resolve the dispute early (and in a manner that is satisfactory to our client).  Insurers understand that if they do not demonstrate good faith in attempting to resolve the dispute painlessly, then we have the willingness and ability to challenge them in the courtroom. Ready to speak to […]

Work With a Skilled Miami Insurance Litigation Lawyer   Insurance claim denials often come as a surprise to policyholders who were led to believe that their coverage is more comprehensive than it is in reality.  In fact, this is not an uncommon scenario — an insurance policyholder is attempting to secure benefits on a claim when they discover that some exclusion (or other provision) in the insurance plan prevents recovery.  If the policyholder obtained such coverage through an insurance agent or broker who misled them somehow, whether through an incorrect disclosure or through a failure to disclose certain information, then an actionable claim may arise under the law. As a policyholder — lacking a detailed understanding of the various plan offerings and how they differ from one another — it can be frustrating to put your trust into an insurance broker or agent, only to discover that they were negligent in their responsibilities, or worse, that they intentionally misrepresented information so as to induce you into signing up for an insurance plan. This informational asymmetry — whether created by mere negligence or out of an intentional desire to defraud the policyholder — happens a lot more often than the public may realize.  In the event that you find yourself having been taken advantage of by an insurance broker, it’s important to understand that you are not without legal options.  Florida law protects policyholders who have suffered losses (i.e., claim denial) due to the misconduct of an insurance broker or agent. […]