Miami Burglary & Theft Claims
Serving Clients Throughout Florida
Has your home or business suffered losses due to burglary or theft? At Cernitz Law, our Miami burglary and theft claim lawyers can help you file a claim, calculate your losses, and obtain a fair settlement.
There are many ways to prove to your insurance provider that your property has been stolen. While having a proper inventory of your belongings on hand at all times is highly recommended, other items—such as photographs, receipts, and credit card or bank statements—may suffice in proving ownership. Our legal team will help you build a strong claim that will ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
Call (305) 570-3422 or contact us online to request your free case evaluation. Se habla Español.
Tips for Preventing Burglary & Theft
To avoid your home or business from being broken into:
- Arrange for your lawn to be mowed and yard to be taken care of if going away for an extended time.
- Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail if away for an extended period.
- Avoid sharing your location and vacation plans on social media.
- Install a security system, lights, and/or cameras inside and outside the property.
- Lock all doors, windows, garage doors, and other entrances and exits before sleeping or leaving the property.
- Make your property appear occupied.
- Never hide a spare key on the property.
- Secure your home by install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors and special security locks for vulnerable sliding glass doors.
- Store barbecues, bicycles, lawn mowers, and other valuables out of sight.
What to Do If Your Home or Business Is Broken Into
First, ensure you and your loved ones are safe by taking care of the following:
- If you notice a break in, do not enter the property—the perpetrator may still be inside.
- Contact the police right away and file a police report.
- Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
- Write down the descriptions of or photograph any suspicious persons or vehicles.
Next, take the following steps to help your insurance claim proceed smoothly:
- Review your policy to understand what exactly is and isn’t covered.
- Contact your insurance company to initiate the claims process.
- Consider hiring an independent adjuster to review the damage without bias.
- Create an inventory of everything that has been damaged, destroyed, or stolen.
A local burglary and theft claim attorney can assist you with all of the above and more. For comprehensive and effective legal help, contact our team today.
Burglary & Theft Claims FAQs
Cernitz Law is here to answer all your burglary and theft damage claim questions! If you have additional concerns not addressed here, feel free to contact us anytime. We offer free consultations and representation in both English and Spanish.
Does insurance cover damage caused by theft?
The average homeowners insurance policy (HO-3) covers damage and lost property caused by theft and burglary.
What is the statute of limitations for a burglary claim?
In the state of Florida, insurance claims must be filed within five years from the date of the incident.
Can an insurance company deny a theft claim?
Yes. An insurance company may deny (or lower the value) of your claim because you failed to provide sufficient evidence of the items that were stolen or because of another error or failure on your part. Alternatively, your insurance company may deny or undervalue your claim to protect their own bottom line, known as insurance bad faith. Fortunately, an attorney can help you appeal your claim and seek the compensation you are owed.
What Is Examination Under Oath (EUO)?
When you file a property damage claim with your insurance company, you expect that the insurance company will protect your interests by covering the loss. However, insurance companies often employ tactics to protect their own bottom lines by cheating policyholders out of the settlements they deserve.
One such tactic that insurance companies use is to request that you appear for an “Examination Under Oath,” also known as a EUO. This is a process presented under the guise of a formal process to obtain the information necessary to determine the amount of your loss but is actually a method for the insurance company to deny your claim. During an EUO, a lawyer from the insurance company will question you—under oath—in the hopes of securing information that they can use to deny your claim.
At Cernitz Law, we will not hesitate to send one of our experienced attorneys to court on your behalf if you have been subjected to an EUO and subsequently had your claim denied, delayed, or undervalued. If your insurance company has requested you attend an EUO, contact an attorney right away to protect your rights.
Call Cernitz Law Now for Your Free Consultation
Our Miami legal team has worked for insurance companies in the past, so we understand how these businesses operate. Now that we advocate exclusively for policyholders, we use our experience and knowledge to build strong claims that will help our clients secure fair and just compensation. In the event that we cannot negotiate a fair settlement, we are willing to take the insurance company to court on your behalf.
Learn more by calling (305) 570-3422 or contacting us online to book your free, no obligation case evaluation today!
