ORLANDO, Fla. — As the camera lights fade and the media attention dies down in the coming weeks, those familiar insurance slogans of “Like a Good Neighbor,” “You’re in Good Hands” and others, may unfortunately give way to an industry whose past is shaky to say the least, especially in recent years. Central Florida resident attorney Alan Garfinkel, of Garfinkel Trial Group, is the nation’s leading expert in natural disaster law and is currently representing thousands of hurricane victims across the country.
His experience in dealing with insurance companies for the past 18 years leads him to believe that many victims of Friday’s tornadoes will fall prey to the usual tactics of an industry who practices the old familiar games of delay, deny or underpay.
While it may be too early to make this assumption, the fact still remains that thousands of victims from the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons are still fighting the very same insurance companies that are setting up camp in the affected areas today.
*(Photo Caption: Press conference at Miami Courthouse. Garfinkel files more than 700 hurricane lawsuits.)
This is an industry that made over $100 Billion Dollars in profits in the past two years and that is after paying claims for the damages sustained by hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, Charley, Rita, and Gaston. These record profits were made by systematically underpaying claims in New Orleans, Mississippi and Florida.
“I do not want to make any predictions,” says Garfinkel, “but I will be monitoring the response from the insurance companies. These folks have lost it all and in some cases they lost loved ones. Insurance policies are very difficult to understand and many policyholders will be at a great disadvantage when dealing with their insurance company. It is necessary to always get a second opinion on the dollar amount your insurance company claims you sustained.”
Here are a few helpful tips for anyone who will be dealing with their insurance company in the coming days:
- #1 – Prepare a detailed inventory of personal property damaged. Immediately take pictures of all your damaged or wet personal belongings including furniture, clothes, electronics, etc. Also photograph any structural damage to the inside or outside of your home or business.
#2 – Be wary of talking to your adjuster; remember that they work for your insurance company and not for you. Try to document all your conversations with your adjuster and with your insurance company. This could come in handy in case you need to file a complaint, or later hire an attorney.
#3 – Be careful of what you sign. NEVER EVER sign any documents that state a final payment. You may be entitled to more money.
Mr. Garfinkel says that it is vitally important that the victims of Friday’s tornadoes understand what they may be facing in the coming weeks, months or in some cases, years.
Throughout his career, Mr. Garfinkel has appeared or interviewed as an expert guest on almost every news networks and publications in the country. News organizations seek his legal advice after a natural disaster occurs. Attorney Garfinkel also serves as the National Moderator for Lexis-Nexis, one of the largest legal research organizations in the world.
Garfinkel Trial Group website: http://www.gtgfirm.com .
For more information, contact:
Ross Garcia, 321.948.1485, or rossgarcia_@_mac.com.
[tags]attorney Alan Garfinkel, central Flordia tornadoes, Garfinkel Trial Group[/tags]
