Property Damage Liability (PDL)
Property Damage Liability coverage pays for damage to another person’s property as a result of a car accident that was the driver’s fault. If you have been denied property damage liability for an illegitimate reason, or have a genuine property damage liability claim, but your claim has been denied in bad faith, it is important to hire an experienced car insurance lawyer in Tampa.
Tampa Property Damage Liability Lawyer
Contact the Germain Law Group at (813) 835-8888 for a consultation about your car insurance claim in Tampa, Florida. Attorney Michael B. Germain is knowledgeable in all areas of Florida’s insurance laws and is experienced in all aspects of property damage liability. Call the Germain Law Group today about your auto insurance claim or claim denial throughout the areas in Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Brevard County and Manatee County, Florida.
Property Damage Liability (PDL) in Florida
Florida requires every driver who has a car registered in their name to carry minimum amounts of insurance. These drivers are required to maintain personal injury protection and property damage liability continuously while their car is registered in Florida under Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault law (Fla. Stat. § 627.733). The minimum amount of coverage as set forth by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is $10,000 in property damage liability.
The term liability for PDL coverage means you are liable, or are required to pay for the damage resulting to another person’s property that was your fault. Property that belongs to another person can include, but is not limited to, their car, telephone poles, lamp posts, buildings, homes, traffic signs, fences, mailboxes or trees.
After a car accident involving property damage, you may be liable for damage that exceeds the amount your insurance covers. So, if you carry the minimum of $10,000, you will personally be required to pay for any property damage that goes over that amount.
Certain claims are excluded from insurance benefits, including if the person’s conduct contributed to the damage from the accident intentionally or while they were committing a felony, or if the person operating the motor vehicle did not have permission of the owner.
Tampa PDL Claim Filing Procedures
According to Fla. Stat. § 627.736, your car insurance company may require you to give them written notice of the motor vehicle accident after you’ve been involved in an accident as soon as reasonably possible. The insurer is required to pay benefits for the damage within 30 days after they are given written notice of a covered claim.
Denial of PDL Car Insurance Claims in Tampa
Insurance companies will often find a reason to deny a driver’s claim under their property damage liability provision in their car insurance policy. These reasons can usually include the premium was not paid on the insurance, the damage was preexisting, the damage was the result of fraud, or the damaged property was excluded under a provision in the insurance policy.
Some companies may also deny an application for auto insurance because another insurer has denied similar coverage or because the driver is a volunteer driver under the Florida Statutes. These types of refusals to issue insurance policies are violations of Fla. Stat. § 627.7261, and are not legally permitted.
After your application for PDL insurance or claim for PDL insurance has been denied, the insurance company must provide you with a notice of the denial explaining the specific coverage that is denied and the specific reasons for the denial of the coverage.
It is important to hire an experienced property damage liability attorney if your claim was wrongfully denied or your car insurance carrier is acting in bad faith. Upon a denial, your attorney will provide a demand letter on your behalf against the insurance company and proceed with any other necessary legal action.
Germain Law Group, P.A. | Property Damage Liability Attorney in Tampa
Contact the Germain Law Group today for a consultation about your property damage liability claim in Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Brevard County and Manatee County. Michael B. Germain is a knowledgeable automobile insurance lawyer in Tampa who will listen to the facts of your situation and help you determine the best recourse in pursuing your auto insurance claim. Contact the Germain Law Group at (813) 835-8888 for a consultation about your car insurance issues throughout Central Florida, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Titusville, Palm Bay, Melbourne, Bradenton and Palmetto.