Denied Storm Damage Claims to Commercial Property

In an era of increasingly unpredictable and severe weather and other events—hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, floods, sink holes, and mudslides—commercial property owners rightfully rely on insurance to protect their businesses from catastrophic losses.

Unfortunately, these claims, when made in good faith, are often delayed, underpaid, or denied entirely, compounding the stress of physical damage with financial uncertainty. Unfortunately, this seems to be the norm. At Vishio Watkins & Forry, PLLC, we help business owners across the country navigate the complexities of commercial storm damage claims and pursue the compensation they’re rightfully owed.

If your business has suffered storm damage of this nature, we’re here to guide you forward. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your options.

Types of Commercial Storm Damage Claims We Handle

We represent businesses of all sizes, across industries, and across the country, whose storm damage claims have been denied or undervalued by insurers. Our team of highly experienced commercial property damage attorneys work to hold insurance companies accountable so our clients can rebuild and recover.

We handle claims involving:

• Manufacturing plants and distribution centers
• Office buildings and retail spaces
• Apartment complexes and condominiums
• Hotels and event venues
• Medical offices, hospitals and clinics
• Industrial properties
• Shopping malls and lifestyle centers
• Mixed-use developments
• Educational facilities

There may be different types of coverage available that you are unaware of, but we are, so we can examine your policy and let you know your options. Wherever your business or complex is located—along the Gulf Coast of Florida, throughout the South, across the Midwest, or beyond—we can help. Allow us to put our national reputation to work for you.

How Insurers Undervalue Commercial Claims

Insurance companies are often incentivized to limit payouts. They rely on technicalities and policy provisions to justify lower settlements, hoping policyholders won’t push back. Sadly, many legitimate and well-intentioned policyholders do not push back and either give up or accept ridiculously low settlements.

Here are some of the most common tactics insurers use:

• Depreciation miscalculations: Undervaluing the age or wear of damaged property to reduce repair or replacement costs.
• Business interruption disputes: Minimizing lost revenue by disputing or underestimating the impact of forced closures.
• Code upgrade denials: Refusing to cover the cost of rebuilding to current code, even when required post-disaster.
• Multiple-cause exclusions: Arguing that damage was due to an uncovered cause or a combination of events outside the policy’s scope.
• Coinsurance penalties: Penalizing property owners for not insuring to a specified percentage of replacement value.
• Coverage limits: Capping payouts for certain types of damage, like flooding or wind, despite higher overall policy limits.
• Maintenance-related denials: Claiming that a wide variety of pre-existing conditions or maintenance failures contributed to cause the damage.
• Valuation disputes: Challenging the property’s worth based on differing appraisal methods or depreciation metrics.
• Blaming the insured for misconduct: Allegations of late reporting, fraud, claim value inflation, failure to cooperate, and more.

If your claim was denied or undervalued, don’t settle for less. Start by collecting all relevant documentation and speak with an experienced attorney who can help.

Our Strategic Approach to Denied Commercial Claims

At Vishio Watkins & Forry, PLLC, our team of attorneys build strong legal strategies grounded in facts, evidence, and a clear understanding of your rights under your policy.

Here’s how we advocate for you:

1. Initial Impact Assessment
   We begin with a Personalized Business Impact Assessment (PBIA) to understand how the event disrupted operations and identify critical areas for recovery.
2. Expert Collaboration
   We work with trusted professionals—adjusters, contractors, IT consultants, appraisers, forensic accountants and other experts—to quantify losses and evaluate your claim.
3. Comprehensive Documentation Review and Analysis
   From repair estimates and invoices to photo evidence and maintenance records, we compile the full scope of your losses to support your claim.
4. Policy Review and Coverage Analysis
   We dissect the language of your insurance policy to identify applicable coverage, limitations, and any relevant riders or exclusions.
5. Claim Reframing and Negotiation
   Armed with facts and legal insight, we challenge denials, respond to insurer objections, and seek to maximize your recovery through detailed and strategic negotiations.
6. Escalation and Litigation, When Necessary
   If negotiation doesn’t yield a fair and timely resolution, we’re prepared to escalate. Our team manages all aspects of litigation, ensuring your rights are enforced in court if the insurer fails to uphold their obligations.

Most claims can be resolved without going to trial—but, if necessary, we’ll litigate aggressively to secure the outcome you deserve. Our courtroom experience and knowledge of both insurance law and trial practice nuances separates us from the others.

Start Rebuilding with Confidence

If your commercial damage claim has been denied, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Vishio Watkins & Forry, PLLC, we’re committed to helping businesses recover and rebuild after various forms of devastating property damage.

If your loss is the result of hurricane, tornado, hail, flood, sink holes, mudslide, or a combination of these events, or the result of other weather-related catastrophes, we offer free consultations and represent clients nationwide. Let us help you understand your rights, assess your claim, and pursue the full benefits your policy provides.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation.