Turning a Lowball Offer into a Full Recovery

Project Type: Residential Water Damage Insurance Claim
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Challenge: Insufficient insurance settlement offer for a multi-level pipe burst.

The Situation: A Homeowner’s Nightmare

The Henderson family of Boca Raton woke up to a catastrophic pipe burst in their upstairs bathroom. Water had soaked through the floor, collapsed part of their living room ceiling, and warped their custom hardwood flooring below. They did what they were supposed to do: they immediately called their insurance company to start the claims process.

The Initial Setback: The Insurance Hurdle

The insurance company sent their adjuster, who performed a quick inspection. A few days later, the Hendersons received a settlement offer for $12,500. They felt a sense of dread. The amount seemed far too low to cover the extensive damage they could see, let alone the potential for hidden issues like mold. The offer would have forced them to accept cheap patch-up work and mismatched materials. Feeling overwhelmed and outmatched, they contacted us to fight for them.

Our Solution: Expert Advocacy in Action

Our role began the moment we took their call. We immediately stepped in to level the playing field.

Step 1: In-Depth Policy Analysis & Strategy
First, we conducted a forensic review of the Hendersons’ insurance policy. We identified key clauses and coverages—including matching of continuous materials and code-required upgrades—that the insurance company’s adjuster had conveniently overlooked.

Step 2: Comprehensive Damage Assessment
Unlike the insurer’s quick walkthrough, our team performed a meticulous, multi-point inspection. Using thermal imaging and moisture meters, we uncovered:

• Hidden Moisture: Significant water saturation inside the wall cavities and under the subfloor, a prime breeding ground for toxic mold.

• Compromised Flooring: The entire continuous hardwood floor needed to be replaced to ensure a proper match, not just the visibly damaged section.

• Electrical Hazards: Water had impacted several electrical outlets and fixtures, which required inspection and replacement by a licensed electrician to meet safety codes.

Step 3: Building an Ironclad Claim
We documented every single detail with high-resolution photos, videos, and professional reports. We then prepared a detailed line-item estimate from a reputable, licensed contractor—not the insurer’s preferred low-cost vendor. Our “proof of loss” package left no room for dispute.

Step 4: Aggressive Negotiation
We took over all communication with the insurance company. Armed with indisputable evidence and a deep understanding of Florida insurance law, we systematically dismantled their low offer. We countered their arguments, cited specific policy language, and escalated the claim to a senior adjuster to ensure a fair evaluation.

The Result: Justice and a Full Financial Recovery

Our aggressive advocacy and expert documentation produced a dramatically different outcome.

• Initial Insurance Offer: $12,500

• Final Settlement Achieved by Our Team: $48,000

This 284% increase was the difference between a disaster and a full recovery. The Henderson family had the funds they were rightfully owed to hire a quality restoration company, replace their entire hardwood floor for a seamless finish, and ensure their home was structurally sound and safe from mold—all without paying a dollar out of their own pocket beyond their deductible.

Client Testimonial:

“We were so stressed and felt completely powerless after our insurance company gave us that ridiculous offer. Calling Property Damage Claim Experts was the best decision we made. They found damage we didn’t even know existed and took the fight completely off our hands. They got us more than triple what the insurance company first offered! We couldn’t have restored our home properly without their expertise.”

– The Henderson Family, Boca Raton, FL