Florida business interruption insurance lawyer

When a disaster strikes and interrupts a business’s day-to-day operations, the effects are felt at the very core of its operations. On top of damages to the business’s property, inventory, or other physical assets, the ability to generate revenue and turn a profit is also often negatively affected.

Following a disaster such as a fire, storm, or theft, bills and expenses can quickly pile up at an alarming rate. As if this wasn’t stressful enough, this often occurs along with a significant reduction or complete lack of revenue. Business owners should be able to rely on their insurance policies to make up for these losses.

However, insurance companies often deny claims or delay payments. This is where a business interruption lawyer can help.

Our skilled lawyers can help you overcome claim challenges

After a disaster, business owners may feel a bit of relief knowing they hold a business interruption insurance policy. They trust that they can turn to their insurance company to cover whatever losses they’ve sustained as outlined in their policy.

However, this temporary relief can quickly turn into stress and frustration.

What many people may not realize is that, at the end of the day, insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their main goal is not to provide solutions for businesses struggling in the aftermath of a disaster.

Even with business interruption insurance, many policyholders find themselves facing complicated challenges. Understanding the policy language, navigating the complex claims process, and dealing with less-than-helpful claims representatives are just a few of the roadblocks business owners might face.

Not to mention, they may face an outright claim denial or delayed payments. This is where a skilled business interruption lawyer can step in.

Our firm represents policyholders facing disputes with insurance companies

Our firm is committed to helping businesses, both large and small, claim the business interruption insurance benefits they’re entitled to receive.

With decades of combined experience in dealing with insurance companies, our business interruption lawyers can help you with your claim. Whether you’re looking for clarity on the language of your policy, negotiating your claim benefits, or need to file an insurance bad faith lawsuit, our lawyers are ready to fight for your business.

If your business is facing a flat-out claim denial or a delayed payment, it’s critical that you contact our office as soon as possible. We’ll work quickly to help you gain the compensation you deserve.

Call our office today at (561) 655-1990 to schedule a free consultation.

What does business interruption insurance cover?

Business interruption coverage is part of a business owner’s commercial insurance policy, along with property and liability coverage.

Business interruption insurance protects policyholders by replacing business income lost as a result of a disaster.

Typically, covered perils include:

Fire
Storms
Falling objects
Hurricanes
Theft
Windstorms
Tornadoes

On top of covering lost earnings, business interruption insurance can cover other operating expenses such as:

Profits that would have been earned if not for the disaster
Mortgage, rent, or lease payments
Costs of doing business
Employee wages and salaries
Technology expenses
Taxes
Loan payments
Equipment replacement
Setting up a temporary location
Retraining costs

Business interruption coverage exclusions can vary

Policyholders should be aware that business interruption coverage can vary depending on the language of the policy.

Business interruption coverage can only cover the above expenses if they were the result of a listed peril. For example, if your policy doesn’t cover damage from lightning strikes, and your building gets struck by lightning, you won’t be able to use your business interruption coverage to cover your losses.

It’s also important to note that business interruption typically does not cover damage from floods or earthquakes as those are covered by a separate policy. Business interruption also excludes the cost of repairs, utilities, and undocumented income.

Was your business insurance claim denied? Our firm can help.

If your business has experienced disruption from a disaster and is having trouble with the insurance company, give us a call. We know the tactics insurance companies will use to reduce payouts, delay payments, or even deny claims altogether.

Let us negotiate on your behalf. If an insurance company still refuses to negotiate in good faith, we’re not afraid to take them to court by filing an insurance bad faith lawsuit. Insurance companies must hold up their end of the bargain.

What to know if your business was affected by COVID-19

Hundreds of thousands of businesses have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and government-mandated closures. During this time, our firm has remained as dedicated as ever to helping business owners review their business interruption insurance policies and fight for the coverage needed to keep going during these difficult times.

There is a great deal of confusion and a lack of information surrounding business interruption coverage and how the coverage should apply during a pandemic. Insurance companies will do everything they can to avoid paying out these claims and, unsurprisingly, will argue that the coronavirus did not cause direct physical damage to businesses.

Insurance companies may also argue that interruption coverage should not apply if a business is never actually contaminated by the coronavirus, even if the business closed because of the virus.

However, this doesn’t mean that businesses should give up on seeking coverage under their business interruption policies. There are various types of business interruption coverage and courts from different jurisdictions might rule differently on these claims.

Having an experienced attorney on your side evens the playing field when going up against a big insurance company to fight for the coverage you deserve.

Contact Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath as soon as possible. We can examine the language of your policy and determine if you have a business interruption claim for COVID-19-related losses.

What about civil authority closures?

Business interruption insurance policies often include language regarding civil authority closures. Civil authority closure coverage applies when a business must close by order of the local, state, or federal government.

Most business owners would reasonably assume that civil authority closure coverage would extend to government-mandated shutdowns. Although mandated closures helped to curb the spread of the virus, businesses suffered massive losses and many were forced to close permanently.

You’ll need to file a legal claim within the period specified by Florida’s statute of limitations

However, insurance companies will argue that the coronavirus did not cause a “direct physical loss”, which is typically stated in business interruption policy language.

As a business owner who has faithfully paid for business interruption coverage, it can feel like a betrayal when an insurance company uses every tactic they can to avoid paying out the coverage you deserve.

Work with a business interruption lawyer who can advocate on your behalf. Our firm has the resources, knowledge, and determination needed to hold insurance companies accountable for their responsibilities to businesses.

Our Florida business interruption insurance lawyer is ready to help

The business interruption lawyers at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey, and Fronrath have extensive experience helping businesses claim the full amount of insurance coverage they are entitled to under their policies. Not only will you have an experienced lawyer on your side, but also the full might of our firm’s resources to take on an insurance company.

If you’re facing a difficult battle with your insurance company regarding interruptions from disasters, including the coronavirus, we’re here to help. Contact us today at (561) 655-1990 to schedule a free consultation.

We’ll review the language of your business interruption insurance policy, answer any questions you may have, and outline your legal options and rights. When you work with us, it’s guaranteed that your case will receive all of the attention to detail and commitment it deserves.

We look forward to assisting you.