Bay County
The beauty of Bay County is well known to its residents and various tourists throughout the year. The county can be found off the Gulf Coast of northwestern Florida and currently populated by approximately 185,000. The Panama City and Panama City Beach metropolitan area is included in Bay County and is best known for their crisp white beaches. The allure of Bay County has caused many families to settle down in the area and businesses to set up shop.
Although Bay County is a beautiful place, it’s still located in the state of Florida which has some of the highest rates for natural disasters. Hurricanes, sink holes, tornadoes, and even wildfires all naturally occur in the state and could result in property damage to your home or business. If your insurance company refuses to provide fair and equitable coverage, then you could find yourself in some really hot water. In these types of situations, it’s within your best interest to obtain trusted legal representation as soon as possible to ensure you receive the full coverage you were promised.
Panama City Insurance Lawyer in Florida
It can be stressful dealing with insurance matters while juggling the motions of your everyday life. Whether it’s a contractual dispute, civil litigation matter, issues with your insurance, or any other civil matter, we recommend you get in touch with Michael Germain of Germain Law Group, P.A.. Attorney Germain has litigated for individuals with insurance disputes and all other complex commercial matters. He is dedicated to his practice and thanks to his years of experience has handled every hurdle you can imagine in a civil court case.
To set up your first consultation with attorney Germain, contact him at (813) 835-8888. Attorney Germain practices throughout the greater Bay County area including Panama City, Callaway, Lynn Haven, Panama City Beach, Springfield, Lower Grand Lagoon, Parker and Laguna Beach.
Information Center:
- Can I Sue My Home Insurance Company in Florida?
- What is a Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer?
- Civil Litigation Matters We Handle
- Cities We Serve
- Bay County Legal Resources
- Additional Resources
Can I Sue My Home Insurance Company in Florida?
When the unexpected happens, we turn to our insurers to receive the coverage needed to help us get back on our feet. So, what happens if your insurance refuses to provide full and fair compensation for your covered losses? The next step then is to file a lawsuit against your home insurance company for being in breach of contract and possible bad faith practices. In these cases, taking legal action against your insurance carrier is the best option so you can receive the compensation you need.
Before filing your lawsuit, it’s important you have all your “ducks in a row.” You will first need to review your contract before you file anything against your insurer. Learn what’s covered, what’s excluded, your rights as a policyholder, and what the insurer’s responsibilities are. It’s best to do this first with an experienced insurance claims attorney by your side so you can truly understand what your policy includes.
The next step is to gather all relevant information related to your claim. It’s important to remember a claim against your insurer isn’t about what you say, but what you can prove with evidence. Gathering documents, photos, videos, eyewitness statements, or any evidence related to the claim in integral to your case. Once you’ve done this, file a complaint with the Florida’s Department of Insurance. They may provide a solution through mediation, which is a non-contentious process where you and your insurer can compromise on a solution.
However, if mediation isn’t possible you can of course take your insurer to court. Once you’ve filed a lawsuit, you can then present your case in court with an experienced and skilled Bay County insurance claims lawyer. Both you and the respondent (your insurer) will argue as to why coverage was viable or not. The court will then decide if there was enough proof that your insurer acted contrary to the principles of fair dealing. If they do, then you’ll likely be granted a monetary award for your damages.
What is a Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer?
Bad faith insurance lawyers bring civil action against insurance companies who are using deception or dishonest means to deny full and fair coverage. An insurance company is considered to be in bad faith if they aren’t attempting to settle claims in a fair and equitable manner. Insurance companies who act unfairly or are intentionally dishonest would be considered in bad faith under Florida law. Bad faith practices by insurance companies can be found under section 624.155 of the Florida Statues, which lists the bad faith actions prohibited under Florida law. These include the following:
- Fails to send your settlement check in a timely manner
- Gives you a low-ball offer way below standard market price
- Deny your claim without a justifiable reason
- Deny your claim without conducting a reasonable investigation
- Fails to adopt and implement standards for the proper investigations for claims
- Fails to communicate promptly in respect to claims
- Misrepresents important facts or insurance policy provisions related to coverage
According to section 624.155 of the Florida Statues, you can file a civil lawsuit against your insurer if they have violated these and other bad faith provisions. If the court rules in your favor, then you’ll be entitled to compensation for damages you may have experienced. The statute of limitations to file a bad faith claim against your insurer is 5 years. That means after that 5 years is up the claim will be considered null and void by the court.
Civil Litigation Matters We Handle
Individuals may pursue monetary damages if they experienced unfair or unsavory business practices through civil litigation. Some examples of these manipulative business practices include unlawful foreclosure, debt collection harassment, deceptive trade practices and other general business disputes. The following are some civil litigations matters we handle at Germain Law Group, P.A..
- Real Property Disputes
- Construction Defect Litigation
- Invasion of Property
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
- UCC – Sales of Goods
- Personal Injury
- Deceptive Trade Practices
- Debt Collection
- General Business Disputes
- Unfair Business Practices
- Small Business Litigation
- Fraudulent Inducement
- Contractual Disputes
- Wage Garnishment
- Levying Property
Bay County Cities We Serve
- Callaway
- Lynn Haven
- Mexico Beach
- Panama City
- Panama City Beach
- Parker
- Springfield
- Millville
- Bayou George
- Fountain
- Glenwood
- Cedar Grove
- Sand Hills
- Santa Monica
- Southport
- Sunnyside
- Vicksburg
- Youngstown
Court and Legal Resources in Bay County, FL
Bay County Civil Courts – Visit the official website for the Bay County Courts to learn more about what’s commonly referred to as “the people’s court.” The court handles all civil matters and disputes of up to $15,000. Access the site to learn more about the judges, the jury system, how to pay court fees, and look up what’s next on the court docket.
Fourteenth Judicial Circuit – Visit the official website for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit to learn more about the types of civil cases they take on and the location of the main courthouse. Circuit courts in Florida handles all civil matters over $15,000 and have jurisdiction where the county courts do not. Access the site to learn who the judges are, important forms, answers to your frequently asked questions and more.
Florida’s Insurance Code – Visit the official website for Online Sunshine, a collection of Florida’s laws and legislation. Access the site to learn about civil remedies under the code and which state departments have jurisdiction over which case.
Bay County Clerk & Comptroller – Visit the official website for Bill Kinsaul, the official Bay County clerk for the state of Florida. Access the site to learn about the different court divisions, search court cases, make a payment relevant to your case and other services.
Insurance Lawyer for Bay County, Florida
Get in contact with Michael Germain of the Germain Law Group, P.A. to get started on a plan for your case today. Attorney Germain has decades of experience under his belt that he can utilize for your case. Don’t go into this alone and instead have a skilled and knowledgeable attorney on your side with Michael Germain.
Call him now at (813) 835-8888 to set up your first consultation absolutely free. Germain Law Group, P.A. accepts clients throughout the greater Bay County and Panama City area including Laguna Beach, Mexico Beach, Parker, and Springfield.