Turning a Denied Hurricane Claim into a $300,000 Settlement
After Hurricane Ian, a homeowner’s claim for roof and interior water damage was denied outright by their insurance carrier, citing “pre-existing damage.” The client’s legal team believed the denial lacked sufficient basis and needed independent, professional support to reopen and reinforce the claim.
Client
Law Firm Representing a Homeowner in Fort Myers, FL
The Challenge
The insurer cited vague policy exclusions
No initial scope of damage or valuation had been prepared by the homeowner
The law firm had less than 30 days before mediation to gather support documentation
Our Role
The law firm engaged On Point Estimating & Appraisals to perform a comprehensive, third-party evaluation of the property and associated damages.
We Delivered:
Same-week on-site inspection
Detailed Xactimate-based damage estimate totaling $318,400
Moisture readings, photo documentation, and roof structure analysis
A court-ready PDF report with line-item repair and material costs
The Outcome
Our estimate and documentation were submitted as part of the law firm’s mediation package.
Insurance carrier reversed denial and entered negotiations
Final settlement was reached for $300,000
The client avoided trial, and the law firm recovered full attorney’s fees
The opposing party did not dispute the estimate
Client Feedback
“On Point’s report changed the tone of negotiations. Their thorough and neutral evaluation made it clear the original denial wouldn’t stand up in court.”
Key Takeaways
Independent appraisals can drastically alter insurance dispute outcomes
Time-sensitive cases benefit from responsive, litigation-ready estimating partners
Accurate documentation and professional presentation drive results