Great Lakes Insurance Denial Attorney Florida

Great Lakes Insurance Denial Attorney Florida

Great Lakes Insurance SE has become a significant player in Florida's homeowner insurance market, particularly as many legacy carriers have exited the state. While the company markets itself as a reliable option for Florida property owners, policyholders frequently find themselves facing denied claims, underpaid settlements, or prolonged delays that leave them without the funds needed to repair serious property damage. When that happens, knowing your rights and having experienced legal representation can make the difference between a fair recovery and financial devastation.

Why Great Lakes Insurance SE Denies Florida Claims

Great Lakes Insurance SE, a surplus lines carrier operating under Lloyd's of London syndicates, uses many of the same denial tactics seen across the Florida insurance industry. Understanding their most common reasons for denial helps homeowners recognize when they are being treated unfairly.

• Exclusion clauses: Great Lakes policies often contain broad exclusions for flood, wear and tear, or "earth movement" that adjusters apply aggressively, even when covered wind or hail damage is the primary cause.
• Causation disputes: The insurer may argue that damage resulted from a pre-existing condition rather than a covered peril, shifting the burden onto the homeowner to prove otherwise.
• Late reporting: Claims are denied on the grounds that the homeowner failed to provide timely notice, even when the delay was minor or the damage was not immediately visible.
• Undervalued estimates: Great Lakes may accept a claim in principle but hire its own adjusters or engineers to produce lowball repair estimates far below actual contractor costs.
• Mold and water damage disputes: Insurers frequently deny secondary damage from water intrusion, claiming it stems from maintenance neglect rather than a covered event.

Florida surplus lines carriers like Great Lakes are not subject to the same rate and form regulations as admitted insurers, which gives them greater flexibility in policy language—and greater opportunity to craft exclusions that disadvantage policyholders.

Florida Law Protections for Homeowners

Despite the challenges, Florida law provides meaningful protections for homeowners dealing with a bad-faith insurer. Florida Statute §624.155 allows policyholders to bring a civil action against an insurer for acting in bad faith when handling a claim. Before filing suit, the homeowner must submit a Civil Remedy Notice (CRN) to the Florida Department of Financial Services, giving the insurer 90 days to cure the alleged violation. If Great Lakes fails to respond adequately, the homeowner may pursue extracontractual damages beyond the policy limits.

Florida Statute §627.428 historically required insurers to pay attorney's fees if a policyholder won a coverage dispute. While 2023 legislative changes have modified the fee-shifting landscape for some claims, an experienced attorney can still leverage statutory remedies and bad-faith exposure to pressure Great Lakes into a fair settlement.

Florida also has specific timelines insurers must follow. Under §627.70131, a property insurer must acknowledge a claim within 14 days, begin investigation within 14 days of receiving the proof of loss, and pay or deny the claim within 90 days. Violations of these deadlines can support a bad-faith claim and strengthen a homeowner's negotiating position.

What to Do After a Great Lakes Denial or Underpayment

Receiving a denial letter from Great Lakes Insurance SE is not the end of the road. There are concrete steps every Florida homeowner should take immediately to preserve their rights and build the strongest possible case.

• Document everything: Photograph all damage thoroughly, including structural damage, interior water damage, and damaged personal property. Date-stamp your photos and preserve them securely.
• Obtain independent repair estimates: Do not rely solely on the insurer's estimate. Get written estimates from licensed Florida contractors who can assess the full scope of damage.
• Review your policy carefully: Read the declarations page, coverage provisions, and all exclusions. Pay attention to any appraisal clause, which may allow you to demand a neutral appraisal of disputed damage amounts.
• Submit a written demand: If your claim has been underpaid, submit a formal written demand to Great Lakes specifying the additional amounts owed and the basis for your claim under the policy.
• Invoke the appraisal process: Most homeowner policies include an appraisal provision allowing either party to demand a binding appraisal when the amount of loss is disputed. This process can resolve valuation disputes without full litigation.
• Consult an attorney before signing anything: Insurers sometimes offer partial settlement payments with language that could be interpreted as releasing the full claim. Never sign a release without legal review.

How a Florida Insurance Claim Denial Attorney Can Help

Insurance companies employ teams of adjusters, engineers, and attorneys whose job is to minimize payouts. A Florida attorney experienced in first-party property disputes levels that playing field. From the moment an attorney gets involved, Great Lakes knows the risk profile of the claim changes significantly.

An attorney will conduct a thorough review of the denial letter and the policy to identify every applicable coverage argument. They will retain independent engineering experts and public adjusters when necessary to counter the insurer's damage assessments. If the insurer has acted in bad faith—by unreasonably delaying, misrepresenting policy terms, or failing to conduct a proper investigation—the attorney can file a CRN and pursue extracontractual damages that may far exceed the original claim amount.

Most property insurance attorneys in Florida handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they recover money for you. This arrangement ensures that cost is not a barrier to fighting back against a powerful insurance company.

Hurricane and Storm Damage Claims Against Great Lakes

Florida's hurricane exposure is the primary reason many admitted carriers have pulled out of the state, and it is the same reason surplus lines carriers like Great Lakes have stepped in to fill the void. After major storms, Great Lakes claims handling often becomes overwhelmed, leading to delayed investigations and pressure on adjusters to minimize payouts across a high volume of claims.

Post-hurricane claims carry specific legal considerations. Florida's assignment of benefits (AOB) laws were significantly restricted in 2019 and 2023, but homeowners still retain the right to assign post-loss benefits in certain circumstances. Additionally, the one-year statute of limitations for filing suit under a homeowner's policy—revised by the Florida legislature in recent years—means that storm victims must act quickly. Waiting too long can permanently bar a valid claim, regardless of its merit.

If you suffered hurricane or tropical storm damage and Great Lakes denied or underpaid your claim, the window to act is narrow. Engaging an attorney early preserves your options and ensures deadlines are not missed.

Need Help? If you have questions about your case, call or text 833-657-4812 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.

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