When your home or business is damaged by a storm, fire, or water leak, you expect your insurance company to help you recover. But too often, valid claims are denied, delayed, or underpaid. At Zimmerman & Frachtman, we represent Florida policyholders in first-party property claims—fighting to secure the compensation they deserve.
What Is a First-Party Property Claim?
A first-party property claim is when you file directly with your homeowners or commercial property insurance provider for damage caused by a sudden or accidental event. These claims are based on your own insurance policy and are meant to restore your property and financial stability after unexpected damage.
Common examples include:
- Hurricane, wind, or hail damage
- Water or pipe leaks (excluding flood damage)
- Fire or smoke damage
- Mold
- Theft or vandalism
- Roof collapse or damage from fallen trees
- Lightning strikes
- Loss of use (when your home becomes unlivable)
These events often happen without warning, and dealing with insurance claims in the aftermath can be overwhelming. Our goal is to support you through the legal process and ensure your rights are fully protected.
Why You Need Legal Representation
Insurance companies are profit-driven businesses. Despite years of paying premiums, many policyholders find their claims are reduced or denied based on vague reasons like "wear and tear," "inadequate maintenance," or "expansion and contraction." These denials can leave you feeling helpless.
At Zimmerman & Frachtman, we level the playing field. Our attorneys understand the inner workings of the insurance industry and aggressively challenge unfair denials or underpayments. We ensure your claim is properly documented, supported by expert opinions, and backed by a legal strategy that puts pressure on the insurer to resolve your claim fairly.
Our Legal Process
We take a comprehensive and client-centered approach to every case:
- Free Consultation: We begin by reviewing your insurance policy, the damage, and your insurer's decision. We explain your rights and options in plain language.
- Claim Review and Investigation: Our team works with trusted public adjusters, engineers, and remediation experts to evaluate the damage and compile a thorough evidence package.
- Filing and Documentation: We ensure all paperwork and claim conditions required by your insurance provider are completed accurately and on time.
- Negotiation: We negotiate directly with your insurer, seeking a fair and prompt settlement.
- Notice of Intent to Litigate: If the insurer continues to delay or underpay, we file a formal Notice of Intent to Litigate, giving the insurance company 10 business days to pay before we proceed to court.
- Litigation: If needed, we file a Breach of Contract lawsuit to hold the insurer accountable for violating the terms of your policy.
Our goal is always to resolve your claim as quickly and efficiently as possible—but we are fully prepared to go to court if the insurance company fails to meet its obligations.
Types of Claims We Handle
We represent both residential and commercial property owners across Florida in a wide range of claims, including:
- Storm and hurricane damage
- Roof leaks and structural collapse
- Water damage and pipe bursts
- Mold contamination
- Fire and smoke damage
- Lightning or hail damage
- Theft, vandalism, or falling objects
- Loss of use and additional living expenses
- Total property loss
- Third-party property claims (e.g., damage caused by upstairs neighbors)
No matter the cause, our team is equipped to build a strong claim that supports full recovery.
Common Challenges and Misconceptions
Many clients believe that because they have faithfully paid their premiums, the insurance company will treat them fairly. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Insurance providers often delay payments, minimize repair costs, or use technical policy language to deny claims altogether.
You may also hear standard denial phrases like:
- "Wear, tear, and deterioration"
- "Inadequate maintenance"
- "Expansion and contraction"
These phrases are commonly used to avoid paying out valid claims. If you receive one of these responses, it's important to contact a lawyer immediately.
Working with Experts to Build Your Case
At Zimmerman & Frachtman, we don't just take your word for it—we back your claim with independent, expert evaluations. We collaborate with:
- Public Adjusters: to assess the full extent of your property damage.
- Remediation Specialists: to evaluate mold, water, and fire damage.
- Civil Engineers: to analyze structural damage and support the claim with technical reports.
This expert input strengthens your claim and challenges the insurance company's findings, especially in cases where they've downplayed or misclassified the damage.
Why Choose Zimmerman & Frachtman?
We offer a combination of legal experience, aggressive advocacy, and personalized service that sets us apart:
- Over $10 million recovered in property claims cases
- Deep knowledge of Florida insurance law
- Aggressive strategy designed for fast, favorable outcomes
- Client-first philosophy: clear communication, honest advice, and relentless support
- Contingency-based representation: you don't pay unless we win
- Serving clients across all of Florida, with virtual consultations available
We treat each case with urgency and compassion, understanding how stressful it is to deal with property damage and uncooperative insurers.