Property damage
I help homeowners and tenants whose home has been damaged when their insurer refuses to pay, delays payment or offers too little.
- If your home was insured and no valid exclusion in the policy applies, you are entitled to compensation.
- The claim must be reported quickly: as a rule within at least 5 working days, or 2 working days for theft.
- You generally have 2 years to bring a claim against your insurer: do not let a file drag on.
What kind of damage?
- water damage and leaks;
- fire, explosion, gas leak;
- burglary and vandalism;
- storms, hail, floods and other natural disasters.
The most common problems
- cover refused on the basis of an exclusion clause: to be valid, such a clause must be express and limited;
- compensation reduced by applying depreciation (vétusté) or a questionable use value;
- a report by the insurer’s loss adjuster that plays down the damage or disputes its cause;
- a file that is going nowhere, despite your reminders.
The loss adjuster appointed by your insurer works for the insurer. You can call on your own adjuster (expert d’assuré) to defend your interests when the damage is assessed; some policies cover their fees.
How do I handle your case?
- I analyse your policy, the grounds for refusal or the calculation of the compensation offered.
- I attend the loss assessment meetings with you, alongside your own loss adjuster if needed.
- I send your insurer a formal notice and negotiate compensation for all of your damage.
- If no agreement can be reached, I take the matter to court to obtain a court-ordered expert assessment, and then your compensation.
Is your insurer refusing or underpaying your claim? I can help you in Nice.
FAQ
The time limit is set by your policy. It cannot be shorter than 5 working days, or 2 working days for theft. For a natural disaster, you have 30 days from publication of the natural disaster order (arrêté de catastrophe naturelle) in the Journal officiel.
Late reporting only costs you your right to compensation if your insurer proves that the delay caused it harm, and provided the policy says so.
You generally have 2 years from the date of the loss. This is extended to 5 years for natural disasters, for policies taken out since the end of 2021.
Appointing an expert after the loss, or sending a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt about the settlement of the claim, interrupts this time limit.
Do not stop at that refusal. An exclusion clause must be drafted clearly, precisely and in limited terms; if not, the court may set it aside. Case law on this point has recently evolved: have your policy reviewed.
It is not compulsory, but the insurer’s loss adjuster acts on the insurer’s behalf. When a lot is at stake, or if you disagree about the cause or the amount of the damage, having support restores the balance from the outset.