Filing an Insurance Claim for Termite Property Damage
Homeowners across the country have to contend with a number of potential sources of damage to their property but termites can be an especially big headache. Homes, businesses, and other property types are susceptible to damage from termites that can gradually chip away at the integrity of a structure without you knowing. Many property owners look to filing a property insurance claim to recoup their damages but this can present a complicated issue.
Many homeowner insurance claims involving termites are summarily denied by many insurance providers. While many insurance policies have clauses that exclude coverage for termite damage, a homeowner insurance lawyer can find ways to get around clauses such as these to get you compensation for your property damage.
Dolman Law Homeowner Insurance Claim Lawyers
Dolman Law Group is a personal injury firm that specializes in handling cases involving property damage insurance claims. Our lawyers are happy to sit with you and discuss how we can help with your termite damage claim in a free consultation.
Contact our office today at (727)451-6900 or fill out a contact form to set up a meeting and find out why our clients recommend Dolman Law Group for those in need of award-winning legal representation.
The Threat Posed by Termites
Most are familiar with the basics regarding termites. They are small bugs that eat wood and can infest homes to disastrous effect. These small insects are sometimes not taken too seriously which has led many to suffer severe consequences for their indifference.
Termites are estimated to damage approximately 600,000 homes in the U.S. each year. U.S. residents spend an estimated $5 billion annually to control termites and repair the extensive damage termites can cause to homes. Subterranean termites, drywood termites, and dampwood termites are the most common types that threaten homes and businesses. These burrowing bugs can traverse through more than wood and penetrate plaster and metal siding so their hives can take root in almost any home.
Termites feeding on wood can damage more than you think. Parts of a home that are commonly damaged by termite infestation include:
- Posts
- Ceiling and floor joists
- Support beams
- Foundations
- Wood flooring
- Wall studs
- Furniture
- Drywall
- Paneling
- Carpeting
Signs of Termite Damage on Your Property
In most cases, termite infestations do not become apparent until a hive has made its home in a structure and is thriving enough to start to cause visible signs of infestation. By this point, there is already a fair amount of damage inflicted which is why it is important that any signs of termite damage prompt immediate contact of a pest control company.
Signs of termite damage typically consist of:
- Flying termite swarms anywhere on your property
- Mud tubes climbing the foundation of your home
- Discolored or drooping drywall
- Peeling paint that resembles water damage
- Wood that sounds hollow
- Small pinpoint holes in drywall
- Piles of small insect wings
- Buckling wooden or laminate floorboards
- Squeaky and uneven floorboards
- Stuck doors or windows
- Maze-like patterns in wood
- Mounds of drywood termite pellets that look like small piles of salt or pepper
Property Insurance Coverage and Termite Damage
Despite the threat that termites can pose, many homeowners’ insurance policies do not provide coverage for the damage these small insects cause. Many fail to realize that the insurance that they rely on does not provide coverage until they are stuck with termite damage that can cost thousands of dollars to repair.
Filing a homeowner’s or business insurance claim only to discover that your policy does not cover termite damage is disheartening, to say the least. However, there are options when it comes to seeking coverage for the damage to your home in an insurance claim.
Despite many standard home insurance policies not covering termite damage, there are potential loopholes and nuances to a policy that can present opportunities. For example, a standard homeowner’s insurance policy may not provide coverage for termite damage but may have a collapse provision that can give coverage if termite damage causes just that.
Why Hire a Homeowners’ Insurance Lawyer
Seeking the help of a homeowners’ insurance attorney when dealing with a termite damage insurance claim is imperative if you want to give your case a reasonable chance of success. As mentioned before, there are opportunities to seek compensation for damage to your property caused by termites even if your policy excludes coverage for it. However, finding and determining how to exploit these opportunities is nigh impossible if you lack the legal know-how.
An experienced termite damage lawyer can pore through your homeowner’s insurance policy and provide the necessary legal insight to determine what is the best option available to seek compensation when filing a termite damage claim.
An experienced termite damage attorney will also be able to determine if there are any other avenues available for seeking compensation for termite damage other than a homeowner’s insurance claim. In some cases, you may be able to sue an exterminator that failed to perform their job properly or file a lawsuit against someone that may have sold you the property and concealed the termite damage.
Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your Termite Damage Claim
The lawyers of Dolman Law Group have been helping clients seek coverage for damage to their property for years now and have developed a reputation as experts in this area. Dolman Law Group is experienced when it comes to dealing with insurance companies that deny claims or offer unfairly low settlements to property owners simply looking to them to honor their obligations. We have the skill and the resources to put your claim in the best position to attain the compensation you need from reluctant insurance companies.
When you have Dolman Law Group on your side, you convey to the insurance company that you are to be taken seriously and that your claim has the support necessary to ensure it is honored. Our firm emphasizes working closely with our clients so that their voice is heard and that their needs are taken into consideration.
Consider contacting Dolman Law Group today about setting up a free consultation about your termite damage insurance claim. To contact us either call our office at (727)451-6900 or fill out a contact form on our site.
