House fire and smoke
Insurers dispute the cause, how far smoke and soot traveled, the contents list and the cost to rebuild. We check each one against the policy and the evidence.
We're property damage attorneys for Indiana homeowners after a house fire, a burst pipe, a tree through the roof, a vehicle into the home or a total loss. We review the policy and the adjuster's numbers, and we push back where they fall short.
A big loss is rarely one check. Most homeowners policies split it into parts, each with its own limit and rules, and an adjuster can pay one part fairly and short another.
Before you signA release, or a check described as full and final payment, can affect what you can still recover. Send it to us first. The review is free.
What we handle
From our Carmel office, we handle major losses across Indiana, where January cold splits pipes and spring storms put trees through roofs.
Insurers dispute the cause, how far smoke and soot traveled, the contents list and the cost to rebuild. We check each one against the policy and the evidence.
A sudden burst is usually covered. The fight is often over whether the insurer can call it a slow leak, wear and tear, or a failure to keep the heat on. We read the exclusion and push back where it doesn't fit.
Once a tree opens the roof, water and framing damage follow. Insurers may call the tree rotten or the damage old, and policies often limit tree removal separately from the repair.
A car or truck that hits your house is a property claim, and we handle those. Your homeowners policy may pay for the house even when the driver's insurer is involved, and the two carriers can point at each other while repairs wait. We handle home and business property insurance claims. We don't handle car or auto accident claims.
When a home is destroyed or can't be lived in, the questions are the policy limits, what it really costs to rebuild today, and how long living costs will be paid. We make sure every coverage part is counted before you settle.
Indiana law lists claim-handling practices insurers are expected to avoid, such as failing to investigate fairly or dragging a claim out to pressure a lower settlement. Indiana courts also recognize that an insurer owes its policyholder a duty of good faith.
How it works
Most Indiana property owners are surprised how little they have to do once an attorney is involved — even with carriers used to taking advantage of policyholders without representation.
Free, confidential conversation. Bring your policy, the carrier's denial letter or estimate, and any photos you took before repairs began. If you've filed FEMA paperwork or a complaint with the Indiana Department of Insurance, bring those records too.
We send our own adjusters and engineers to document the real scope of damage, often the moment things change.
We send the carrier a documented demand that lays out where its handling falls short of Indiana's claim-practice standards. Many cases resolve here — once a carrier sees the bad-faith exposure under Erie Insurance Co. v. Hickman laid out, the offer changes.
If they still won't pay fairly, we file suit in Indiana state court or federal court, with the resources to take it all the way.
Common questions
Damage that makes a big part of your home unusable, or a claim with several coverage parts in play: the structure, your belongings and living costs. House fires, burst pipes, trees through the roof, vehicles into the home and total losses are the usual examples. If you're not sure, send it to us.
Often, yes. A first payment can be based on an early estimate. We compare it with the policy and the actual damage and go after what's missing.
Not necessarily. Many homeowners sign an authorization so cleanup can start. Tell us what you signed and we'll review it with your claim.
Damage to the home from a vehicle is usually a covered cause of loss, and the driver's insurer may also owe. Every policy is different, so we read yours. We handle the property claim for your home, not the car or auto accident claim.
No fee unless we win. We walk you through exactly how fees and case costs work before you sign anything. The first review is free.
It helps us route your claim to the right attorney quickly. A best guess is fine, and "Not sure yet" is always an option.
Ready to talk?
Call (844) 776-7364 or send the form for a free review of your Indiana claim.