2790 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, FL 33759
Hillsborough County / Florida
Krapf Legal helps Hillsborough County property owners review denied, delayed and underpaid insurance claims. From Tampa to Brandon and Plant City, we focus on the damage, the policy and the repair costs the insurer disputes.
Explore damage & claim guidanceProperty damage in your area
Understand the damage, the repairs it may involve, and the questions that can come up when an insurer reviews your claim.
Wind damage
Milton brought strong winds to Hillsborough County in 2024. Missing coverings, impact marks, and damaged openings warrant an inspection that explains both the exterior repair and any resulting indoor damage.
Heavy rainfall
Milton also brought substantial rainfall across the county. Record whether water entered above, around openings, or at floor level; similar-looking wet materials may involve different causes and coverage questions.
Repair scope
An interior estimate should explain the materials affected and the work proposed. Ask about documented moisture behind ceilings, wall finishes, or cabinetry instead of relying only on paint allowances.
A Tampa property damage claim can involve a house, condominium, rental or commercial building. The immediate problem may be storm damage, a plumbing leak, fire or smoke, suspected mold, or a roof estimate that does not account for the interior. Explain who owns the damaged property and which policy the insurer used to evaluate it. The policyholder, occupant and association may have different interests in the same building.
Our attorneys examine the claim documents and the insurer’s reasons before discussing the available legal response. That may involve organizing additional evidence, addressing a coverage interpretation, negotiating a disputed amount or litigation when appropriate. The free evaluation is an opportunity to identify the actual dispute and whether we can help; it does not require you to have a complete legal theory.
More about property damage insurance claimsMilton brought strong winds and near-record daily rainfall at Tampa International Airport in October 2024. For Hillsborough owners, a roof loss and water entering at floor level can require different evidence. Krapf Legal helps review denied or underpaid repairs by connecting each damaged area with the inspection findings and insurer’s explanation.
Hillsborough County experienced strong winds during Milton in October 2024. For owners in Tampa, Brandon, or Plant City, the relevant question after a storm is what changed at the building: missing roof material, a damaged window, debris impact, or a leak that was not present before. A property does not have to sit on the coast for its exterior to need careful evaluation.
Photograph visible conditions safely and ask an inspecting professional to explain the damage location and proposed repair. If a tree or other object struck the structure, include pictures of the impact area before removal when safe. Keep the exterior findings with indoor photographs so the insurer can assess the reported damage as a connected loss rather than a collection of unrelated stains.
Water damage coverage and claim guidance Hurricane Milton insurance claimsMilton produced substantial rainfall in Hillsborough County, including a near-record daily total at Tampa International Airport. That local history highlights why a claim should distinguish water entering a damaged roof from water collecting outside and entering lower in the building. A wet floor alone does not establish the entry point or explain what happened above it.
Describe when the first leak appeared, the rooms involved, and any water you saw outdoors. Keep professional findings about openings, damaged materials, and moisture levels with that timeline. Coverage can differ by the cause and the policy wording. An attorney reviewing a disputed water claim needs those details instead of an assumption that all storm-related water is handled the same way.
Roof leak insurance claims in FloridaA ceiling may look dry while the repair question remains unresolved. Ask the restoration professional to identify affected materials, the basis for drying or removal, and the areas that need to be restored afterward. Document any new staining, swollen trim, loosened flooring, or changes around cabinets. These observations help explain what requires inspection without diagnosing hidden damage yourself.
Compare the contractor scope and insurer estimate room by room. Check whether both account for the same surfaces, measurements, and documented work. If mold is suspected, retain the professional assessment and the history of the water problem. The question is whether supported repair needs were evaluated under the policy, not whether every concern automatically adds a covered item.
An insurance dispute may concern the cause of a roof leak, the amount allowed for interior work, or a claim that damage existed before the storm. Ask for the position in writing and collect the evidence relevant to that explanation. Earlier maintenance photos, inspection findings, and completed repairs can be more useful than repeated messages saying only that the payment is too low.
Krapf Legal reviews Hillsborough County property claims with the policy, repair scope, photographs, and insurer correspondence in view. Tell us what remains damaged and which parts of the decision you dispute. A focused comparison can reveal omitted work or an unresolved factual question and provide a basis for discussing the options available for your particular claim.
A Hillsborough denial may say that a roof condition is old, that water entered through an excluded pathway, or that the insurer did not receive information it requested. Preserve the denial, its attachments and the complete policy, including endorsements. Build a short timeline showing when damage was discovered, when the claim was reported, inspections and the documents supplied.
For a Brandon plumbing loss, a source report and photographs taken during access work may address a cause dispute. For a Tampa wind loss, roof findings and the earlier repair history may be central. Ask the professional to explain which observations support the conclusion. Legal review should test the insurer’s stated reason against that evidence, rather than assume every refusal is bad faith.
The first payment is not always the insurer’s estimate of the final replacement cost. The explanation may subtract a deductible or depreciation, reserve items for additional documentation, or reject some work entirely. Mark each category so you know whether the question is coverage, scope, price or the conditions for another payment. Keep every version of the estimate.
For an uninhabitable Tampa home, also retain reasonable temporary-housing and related expense records. For damaged belongings, prepare a separate inventory with photographs and available value information. A landlord’s rental-income issue differs from a homeowner’s additional living expenses. Review the correct coverage and limits rather than adding all expenses to a building repair total.
An estimate to restore a Hillsborough building may include work beyond the visibly damaged finish. Ask the contractor to identify the damaged components, the reason a repair method is proposed and any specific code requirement relied on. Distinguish required work associated with the loss from an elective renovation. A statement that something is “up to code” is less useful than a clear explanation of the relevant requirement.
The insurance question is then whether the policy covers that work, including any ordinance-or-law provision and limit. Matching or replacing nearby undamaged materials can raise separate factual and policy issues. Neither an insurer’s patch allowance nor a contractor’s full replacement recommendation should be treated as conclusive without the supporting explanation.
A request for another inspection should identify what was missed and the evidence to be reviewed. If the insurer has already responded to the same issue, preserve that response instead of starting the story again from the beginning. Depending on the policy and dispute, negotiation, eligible mediation, appraisal or court proceedings may warrant consideration. Their availability and consequences differ.
Before the evaluation, list upcoming inspections, document requests and any settlement offer requiring a response. Tell us if another professional is already assisting you. Krapf Legal serves Hillsborough owners from Clearwater; contact the team to discuss sharing records and appointment arrangements. Ask how fees and expenses would work before entering an agreement for representation.
Prepare for your evaluation
Start with your policy, claim number, and the insurer’s latest response. For your Hillsborough County property, these additional records may help:
Don’t delay contacting us because a record is missing. We can discuss what you have and what may be needed.
Common questions
Answers to questions about getting help with a Hillsborough County property insurance claim.
Yes. A report provides regional context but does not show the condition of your roof or rooms. Preserve property photographs, inspection findings, and the timing of observed damage. That evidence helps connect the claimed repairs to what happened at your building.
Ask the contractor to document the materials, measurements, and reason more extensive work is needed. Compare those findings with the insurer estimate and inspection notes. Krapf Legal can review whether the payment dispute involves an omitted repair, a disputed cause, or a coverage interpretation.
Yes. Property insurance disputes can also involve a reported plumbing leak or another water event. Bring the policy, the source-of-water inspection, the damage photographs, and the insurer decision. The cause and policy terms must be evaluated for the actual loss rather than assuming every water claim follows the same rules.
A closed file does not by itself answer whether an additional claim or legal remedy remains available. We need the closing letter, earlier notices, payments, release language and loss date. Applicable deadlines still matter. A review can determine what issue remains and whether a proposed next step is timely.
Do not rely on a blanket 90-day statement. Current Florida law generally uses a 60-day payment-or-denial framework for covered categories of property claims, subject to statutory qualifications and circumstances beyond the insurer’s control. The policy, claim type, notice date and applicable law must be checked. That handling period is different from the time needed to resolve disputed litigation.
Yes. Bring it with the unit policy, association correspondence and your own itemized damage record. Identify which building components, finishes and belongings are in each estimate. The association’s repair plan does not automatically establish what the unit policy owes, and duplicated items need to be reconciled.
Preserve the plumber’s diagnosis, discovery date, photographs and any earlier maintenance records. A report should explain the observed cause and evidence about duration rather than simply use the word “sudden.” Bring the exclusion or limitation the insurer cited so its reasoning can be evaluated against the findings.
It identifies a potential dispute but does not establish the amount owed. Compare measurements, materials, labor, access work and repair methods for the same damaged areas. Ask for support for each difference and distinguish covered restoration from upgrades. The policy’s settlement provisions, deductible and limits also affect payment.
Krapf Legal offers a free case evaluation. If we agree to represent you, ask for the written fee agreement and an explanation of attorney fees, case expenses, and any amount you could owe if there is no recovery. A free evaluation does not mean every stage of a case is free, and the insurer is not automatically responsible for your legal bill.
For many Florida property claims, current law requires notice of a new or reopened claim within one year of the loss and a supplemental claim within 18 months. These are notice rules, not the deadline to sue. Exceptions and special rules, including some condominium loss assessments, can apply. Earlier losses and flood policies need separate analysis. Have the loss date, policy and prior notices reviewed promptly; ongoing negotiations do not automatically extend a deadline.
Follow the policy’s notice requirements promptly and truthfully; do not wait for a perfect repair estimate. Give the facts you know, identify uncertainty, and keep a copy of what you submit. Protect the property safely from further damage and retain receipts. A later inspection can clarify the scope, but missing a notice requirement can create a separate dispute.
It depends on what the payment and any accompanying agreement mean. An undisputed payment, a payment subject to further documentation, and a full settlement with a release can have different consequences. Have the check language, payment letter, releases and prior agreements reviewed before assuming you can pursue more money. Keep records of every amount received and how it was allocated.
Some disputes can be addressed through better documentation, another inspection or negotiation. Eligible claims may have a mediation option; a policy may also provide appraisal for certain valuation disagreements. Appraisal does not resolve every coverage question. Litigation may be appropriate when other steps do not resolve the dispute. Your policy, deadlines, evidence and goals determine which options warrant consideration.
Yes. A public adjuster can assist with presenting and adjusting a property claim within that profession’s permitted role. A lawyer can advise on legal rights, interpret disputed policy terms and represent you in litigation. If you already have an adjuster or contractor, bring the agreement and work completed so the legal review accounts for the existing arrangement.
No. A denial or a low payment can involve a genuine coverage or valuation dispute. Bad faith has additional legal requirements and cannot be assumed from the outcome of an inspection. Keep the complete communication history and ask counsel to evaluate the policy dispute and any potential claim-handling issues separately.
There is no dependable timeline without reviewing the claim. The insurer’s statutory handling duties, requests for information, inspections, negotiations and any court proceedings are different stages. The extent of disputed damage and the availability of evidence also matter. Ask what the next step requires, who is responsible for it, and how you will receive updates rather than relying on a promised settlement date.
Possibly. Identify the damaged item, the required work and the policy’s settlement terms first. Florida Statute 626.9744 addresses certain replacement-cost homeowners claims, including reasonable repairs or replacement in adjoining areas where materials do not match, subject to the statute and policy. Ordinance-or-law coverage, exclusions and limits also matter when a repair must meet code. Ask the contractor for the specific code basis, material information and a separate estimate for the disputed work; neither a color difference nor a code requirement guarantees unlimited replacement.
Prioritize safety and report suspected crime to the appropriate authorities. Keep the incident number and inventory stolen or damaged items with photographs, receipts and available ownership records. Document damaged locks, doors or windows before reasonable temporary protection changes their condition. Notify the insurer under the policy and keep copies of the report and claim submission. Coverage, item limits and proof requirements must be checked against the actual contract.
For claims subject to Florida’s current handling statute, an insurer generally must acknowledge a claim communication within seven calendar days and pay or deny a claim, or a portion of it, within 60 days after receiving notice. Exceptions, tolling, the type of policy and special rules for represented policyholders matter. These are claim-handling duties, not a promise that litigation finishes in 60 days. Keep the notice date, information requests and responses so an attorney can assess the applicable timeline.
Our physical office is in Clearwater, at 2790 Sunset Point Road. This page describes our Hillsborough County service area. Contact our team to arrange a free case evaluation and discuss how to share your claim documents.
Communities we serve
We serve property owners in these communities. Contact our Clearwater team to discuss the address and details of your property insurance dispute.
City pages: Brandon property damage lawyers, Tampa property damage lawyers
Let’s move forward
Share what happened and where your claim stands. Our team can review your situation and discuss the next step.
727 777 7450How we can help
From property insurance disputes to personal injury, explore the ways Krapf Legal can help. Contact our Clearwater team to discuss your situation in Hillsborough County.
Review denied or underpaid repairs after water intrusion.
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Evaluate claim disagreements involving moisture and mold findings.
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Our law firm focuses on helping individuals and businesses in Clearwater FL affected by hurricane damage navigate the legal process and seek compensation for their losses.
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Help with disputed roof repairs and water entering through damaged roofing.
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Our lawyers are ready to help individuals and businesses affected by fire damage navigate the legal process and seek compensation for their losses.
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Our team at the firm is prepared to help individuals and businesses affected by bad faith navigate the legal process and seek compensation for their losses.
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Our attorneys help homeowners and businesses whose property suffered hail damage navigate insurance claims and pursue the compensation they deserve.
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Our personal-injury lawyers advocate for individuals hurt by another’s negligence, guiding them through every step of the legal process to recover fair compensation.
Explore this practiceOur firm / Client experiences
Client experiences with Krapf Legal’s Clearwater-based firm.
See all reviews on GoogleKristen O’Donnell was absolutely OUTSTANDING! She is an exceptional attorney—professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and truly dedicated to her clients. She went above and beyond every step of the way and made the entire process so much easier. KRISTEN IS THE TIGER ! SHE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU AS YOU WERE HER OWN BLOOD! I highly recommend Kristen O’Donnell to anyone looking for an outstanding attorney. Five stars all the way!
This firm was professional, responsive and handled my situation well. I also feel their billing was reasonable. Robert Studor and his staff were great to work with.
Absolutely phenomenal work and effort. They worked to help us fight our insurance company that refused to pay us what was owed, and got us a fair settlement. Hopefully I will never need a lawyer again but if I did, this is who I would call.
Robert was attentive and updated us along the route. Any questions I texted were answered quickly. We’re ver satisfied.
I luckily chose Keller Fisher of Krapf Legal for my roof damage claim. He was smart, responsive and knew what needed to be done. I would highly suggest working with Keller.
If you're looking for a top-notch property insurance attorney, I can't recommend Krapf Legal highly enough. From the very beginning, they were incredibly responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to helping me navigate a complicated insurance claim. They took the time to explain everything clearly, fought hard for my rights, and ultimately secured a resolution that I never could have achieved on my own. Their professionalism and dedication were clear at every step, and I always felt like a priority. If you're dealing with a denied or underpaid insurance claim, do yourself a favor and call Krapf Legal. They know the law, they know the system, and most importantly—they get results.
Alex Sorley at Krapf Legal is amazing! After Hurricane Milton, I was overwhelmed with my insurance claim, but Alex took over, handled every detail, kept me updated, and got me a far better outcome than I could have expected! I’m so grateful for the hard work he and his team put in to get my case settled. I highly recommend him to all of my friends & family.
Kristen and her team were fantastic She took the time to listen to our concerns over our claim from hurricane Ian and provided us with solid advice on how to proceed. She responded to our request and in the end got us the settlement we were looking for to repair the damage that it caused. You could tell through the multiple conversations that she really looks out for her clients interests I would highly recommend her and Kraph Legal for any insurance issues that you may have They are definitely well worth money spent Extremely Satisfied
A very well run law firm if you have a gripe with your homeowners insurance.
After our insurance company dismissed our hurricane-caused roof damage/leak claim as "age-related deterioration/wear and tear". we were referred to Krapf Legal. The Krapf Legal team were exceptional throughout the year-long battle to ensure we were compensated for our significant losses. Our attorney, Tim Delaney, was always reachable, professional and courteous - and he negotiated the exact settlement we were looking for to cover 100% of our roof replacement.
Dear family and friends, I highly recommend Mike Keeler from The Claim Squad and Geoffrey Schuessler from Krapf Legal for their exceptional service in handling my homeowner's insurance claim. Their professionalism and expertise were remarkable, especially considering the new laws that have become increasingly burdensome to homeowners since January 1st, 2023. Throughout the process, both Mr. Keeler and Mr. Schuessler demonstrated honesty and forthrightness, which I found commendable. I am grateful for their efforts in resolving my insurance claim and impressed by their dedication to their work and clients. If you need assistance with an insurance claim, I highly recommend the services of Mr. Keeler and Mr. Schuessler. Their expertise and professionalism are second to none, and I am confident that they will provide exceptional service to all. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Best regards, Taylor Taylor
In a time where we had lost hope, Keller Fisher from Krapf Legal stepped in and led us to a settlement that would allow my widowed mother in law to get the repairs that were much needed on her roof. We were denied the claim twice. We called Krapf Legal and within no time they had begun a claim with my insurance company and got it settled. Keller was professional, courteous, prompt, and available with any questions or concerns we had. I'd recommend this gentleman to anyone who is experiencing issues with their insurance company. I can't thank Keller enough for all the hard work he and his team put forth in to getting this case settled.
great staff
(Translated by Google) They are doing an excellent job and I am especially grateful to Felipe who is very kind and attentive to everything. (Original) Ellos están haciendo un excelente trabajo y especialmente muy agradecida con Felipe quien es muy amable y está al pendiente de todo.
I had a great experience using Krapf Legal to help me settle my home insurance claim. I had provided my insurance company with everything they requested, but their offer was way less than the estimates I had to fix the damage to my house I had been waiting for almost a year for the insurance company to respond to my claim. I called Grant and he said he would take care of it, and he did! The team at Krapf legal was able to quickly settle my claim.
(Translated by Google) Kraft Legal has been working and continues to work with excellent results in addressing the errors and injustices I have experienced and am currently experiencing. I thank God for having found this dedicated law firm, in whom I have complete confidence. I must especially express my gratitude to Felipe Perea, who has made every effort to keep me informed and has maintained his professionalism throughout my case, even helping me understand it despite my language barrier. Many thanks to Kraft Legal and especially to Felipe Perea. God bless you. (Original) Kraft Legal Ha estado trabajando y trabaja con excelente resultados a favor de los errores e injusticias por las que he pasado y estoy pasando. Doy gracias a Dios de haber conocido este bufete de abogados esmerados y en los que cofio. Tengo que expresar mis gracias especialmente a Felipe Perea que se a esforzado en mantenerme informado y ha mantenido su profesionalismo en todo el transcurso de mi caso y además ayudándome con mi idioma a entenderlo. Muchas gracias a Kraft Legal y en especial a Felipe Perea. Dios los bendiga.
(Translated by Google) The best thing about this office is Felipe Perea. Thank you so much for your excellent work and efficiency. (Original) Lo mejor que tiene esta oficina es Felipe Perea. Muchas gracias por su excelente trabajo y eficiencia. The best employee that this office has is Felipe Perea. He is excellent and work very well. Thank you very much
Helped me with a home insurance issue, Great staff , answered all my questions quickley, wonderful service. I was well taken care of. Thank You All
Mr Kraft is incredible !! Gave me his cell phone number, so I could speak with him at any time. Explained in detail any questions I had and never sugar coated anything. He's a straight shooter. I highly recommend Mr Kraft for your Social Security Disability needs.
Our home has survived many Florida hurricanes but when a strong, surprise hail storm hit in early 2020, our house suffered substantial damage. Our homeowner’s insurance company had a team of experts on their side to fight our claim. When weeks turned into months, we knew we needed someone to represent our needs. Krapf Legal came highly recommended and we now understand why this team has earned its outstanding reputation. Every Krapf Legal representative has been so professional, understanding and so passionate about helping homeowners like us. While we live several miles away in another city, the Krapf legal team (Grant, Keller and the entire team) treated us like neighbors. They were professional, responsive and spot on with their advice. In the end, we received the compensation we needed to repair our home. Truly, we couldn’t have resolved our claim with such a positive outcome without Krapf Legal. Thank you!!!
Seriously the best property insurance attorney there is. Highly recommend!
Edited previous text as we have worked out a new plan to move our case forward and I look forward to good results
Grant Krapf was an outstanding lawyer for our roof claim. I highly recommend him!
Roof leaks to property damage, Krapf Legal knows how to handle any case. Highly recommend
Excellent company with superb customer service!
The team at Krapf Legal is a group of dedicated professionals that bring significant contribution and value to their clients. They are highly responsive, communicate expectations effectively and more importantly, get timely results for the folks that they represent. I highly recommend this firm, whether working with them directly or through a public adjuster.
I had extensive damage to my home from Hurricane Irma. My insurance company only stated $8k worth of damage but because my deductible was so high they sent me a check for $3k! I couldn't even get the insurance company to return my phone call for 3 months! I didn't know what to do so I hired an insurance adjuster to fight the claim. After over a 16mths of fighting it had finally gotten to the point to bring in a lawyer. They recommended Grant Krapf and I’m so glad they did! I couldn’t believe how quickly he got a response from the insurance company. In total, I had been waiting for nearly 2 years and when Grant and his team came on board it was a matter of months before they were able to get the insurance company to settle. I was shocked and amazed! I have never hired an attorney before and I had always heard unflattering stories but this was not my experience. Even after the settlement they have been kind enough to still help me with questions or advice relating to the house. They are good people and they do good work! It’s incredible when you feel like you are going up against a giant and want to give up and can find extraordinary people that will fight for you and never give up!
Highly recommend Krapf Legal. Cailtin has always greeted us in a friendly and professional manner and made us feel like a very important client. Grant and his staff were always prompt to address our needs and timely respond to any questions. Very knowledgable, respectful, reliable, courteous and professional.
Grant and his team consistently achieve great results for their clients. They are people you can trust and always act in their client’s best interest.
Testimonials and reviews reflect individual clients' experiences. Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results.