Kristen 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!
Sarasota County / Florida
Sarasota
property damage lawyers.
Krapf Legal helps Sarasota owners and associations address property insurance denials, delays and disputed repair payments. We examine what the contract covers, what the damage records show and why the insurer limited or rejected the claim. Serving Sarasota from our Clearwater office.
Explore damage & claim guidanceSarasota insurance claim representation for owners and associations
A search for a Sarasota property damage lawyer or HOA attorney often starts with an immediate repair problem. A shared roof may be leaking, a unit may remain unusable or an association may have received an insurance estimate that omits part of the restoration. Tell Krapf Legal who is seeking representation and what decision needs attention. Our review begins with the relevant insurance and property documents.
For an individual owner, bring the unit or homeowners policy and related association correspondence. For an association, provide the master policy, governing documents, claim notices and available repair assessments. Sarasota County's official association directory includes both condominium and homeowners organizations with Sarasota addresses; that does not establish which entity controls your damaged component. We can evaluate the particular insurance dispute without assuming the board, unit owner and insurer have identical obligations.
Condominium association disputes HOA legal representationMilton history does not replace a Sarasota property inspection
The National Weather Service records Hurricane Milton's landfall near Siesta Key on October 9, 2024. That verified event provides a starting point for reviewing an existing storm file, but it does not establish damage at every Sarasota address. Identify the particular roof, window, exterior or interior condition and the evidence connecting it to the reported loss. Earlier damage and repairs should remain visible in the chronology.
If your insurer accepts only part of a roof claim, request its written explanation and compare the proposed work with your contractor's findings. Include photographs taken before temporary protection, after emergency work and when permanent repairs exposed concealed conditions. Avoid attributing all later deterioration to Milton without supporting evidence. As of October 2026, an old storm name should prompt a careful timeliness review, not an assumption that new or supplemental notice is still available.
Hurricane damage claim review Roof insurance disputesRequest the Sarasota floodplain and permit records for the address
The City of Sarasota offers property-related flood information by request, including flood zones, elevation requirements and substantial damage or improvement questions. Its Building and Permitting page provides a permit lookup and repair-related forms. These are useful sources when a repair proposal includes work driven by building requirements. Confirm that the address falls within the city's jurisdiction before relying on city-specific instructions.
Save the actual determination, inspection comments or permit conditions you receive. Ask the contractor to identify which estimate items respond to those written requirements and which address the physical loss. We then review the requested payment against the policy, including any relevant limitations or additional coverage. A local requirement can affect the construction scope while leaving a separate question about the insurer's contractual responsibility. Do not rely only on a verbal statement that the city requires replacement.
Separate flood, roof water, fire damage and restoration costs
The Florida Department of Financial Services explains that standard homeowners insurance excludes flood and that policy forms vary. For a Sarasota loss involving both outside water and a leaking exterior, retain evidence of each entry point and its timing. A ground-level water line, wet ceiling and plumber's source report describe different observations. The claim should reflect what is known rather than grouping every wet item under one cause.
Compare the restoration proposal by material and task: removal, drying, replacement and finishing. If fire or smoke is involved, keep the inventory and professional assessment of affected rooms separate from unrelated storm repairs. For suspected mold after water intrusion, preserve the assessment and moisture history instead of making a medical or coverage conclusion. Krapf Legal reviews the insurer's exclusions, limits and payment explanation alongside those records to identify the supported disagreement.
Water damage insurance claims Fire damage legal guidanceCheck notice, claim handling and lawsuit timing independently
Florida Statutes section 627.70132 generally requires notice of an initial or reopened property claim within one year from loss and a supplemental claim within 18 months from loss. Defined claim categories, special condominium loss-assessment rules and other statutory provisions matter. Section 95.11(2)(e) separately sets five years from loss for a breach-of-property-insurance-contract action. A lawsuit period is not permission to postpone the earlier claim notice.
For covered claims and communications, section 627.70131 generally requires seven-calendar-day acknowledgment and payment or denial within 60 days after notice, subject to scope, exceptions and tolling. Its acknowledgment rule has a limitation for represented claimants. Keep every request for information and your response, because evaluating a delay requires more than counting days from the first telephone call.
Section 627.70152 establishes a department notice of intent at least ten business days before an applicable property-policy suit, after a coverage determination, together with insurer response procedures. Counsel must check the law governing the policy and any additional waiting period. Florida's reforms removed the former one-way attorney-fee entitlement for property insurance; older-policy questions and other fee grounds remain case-specific. Discuss fees, expenses and the proposed representation agreement before deciding to proceed.
A Sarasota file should identify the next unresolved task
Sarasota's official neighborhood map identifies Laurel Park, Gillespie Park, Arlington Park and Lido Key. We assist owners across these areas from Clearwater, using the property address and documents to guide the review. A neighborhood label does not determine a flood zone, association obligation or covered loss. Explain whether the next obstacle is a coverage denial, missing inspection, disagreement over necessary work or a proposed settlement.
Sarasota County is served by the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. The proper court level, venue and any policy-based dispute procedure require individual analysis if a suit becomes appropriate. Bring pending legal notices and any appraisal or settlement request with the repair evidence. A consultation can address what further documentation would help and what legal work representation would involve, without predicting a particular recovery or treating a historical storm report as proof of your claim.
Prepare for your evaluation
Records to have ready
for your evaluation.
Start with your policy, claim number, and the insurer’s latest response. For your Sarasota property, these additional records may help:
- Exact Sarasota address and confirmation of whether city or county permitting authority applies.
- Any city flood-zone response, elevation information or substantial-damage correspondence for that building.
- Roof and interior photographs organized around Milton and any repairs before or after that loss.
- Master and unit policies, governing documents and association repair notices for a condominium or HOA dispute.
- Permit records, itemized restoration estimates and insurer explanations identifying the work still disputed.
Don’t delay contacting us because a record is missing. We can discuss what you have and what may be needed.
Common questions
Your Sarasota
questions, answered.
Answers to questions about getting help with a Sarasota property insurance claim.
Is your Sarasota service provided from Clearwater?
Yes. Krapf Legal's physical office is in Clearwater, and Sarasota is an area we serve. Contact that office with a description of the damaged property and insurer decision to arrange an evaluation of the dispute.
Can an association ask you to review its claim?
An association can contact us about disputed property damage and provide the master policy, governing documents and insurer correspondence. We assess the proposed client, authority to act and claim issues before agreeing to representation; a community directory entry alone proves none of these.
Does a substantial-damage letter establish insurance coverage?
The letter concerns local building or floodplain requirements. It should be reviewed together with the repair scope, but benefits remain dependent on the policy and documented loss. Preserve the complete determination and the figures supporting it.
Where can I look for Sarasota building permits?
The city's Building and Permitting page includes a building-permit lookup and links to permit forms. Use the records for the actual address and confirm the responsible jurisdiction. Save relevant inspections or conditions with the contractor's estimate.
What if a unit and common roof were both damaged?
Identify each affected area and obtain the available unit and association policy records. Keep the estimates and insurer responses labeled by claim. The applicable contracts and property documents need review before assigning payment responsibility for shared and private components.
Are Milton claims automatically still open in October 2026?
No. Milton's verified October 2024 history does not establish a presently available notice period. Section 627.70132's general one-year and 18-month periods require review alongside the policy, actual notice history and any applicable special provisions.
How long is the property-policy lawsuit period?
Section 95.11(2)(e) generally provides five years from loss for breach of a property insurance contract. Claim-notice requirements and applicable presuit procedures are separate. A review should calculate the dates from the file rather than assume ongoing discussions preserve them.
Who pays legal fees in an insurance lawsuit?
The old one-way attorney-fee entitlement was removed for property insurance litigation. The fee agreement, policy dates and any other legal authority must be evaluated for your case. An increased claim payment does not itself establish an automatic fee award.
Communities we serve
Property claim help
across Sarasota.
We serve property owners in these communities. Contact our Clearwater team to discuss the address and details of your property insurance dispute.
- Laurel Park
- Gillespie Park
- Arlington Park
- Lido Key
Let’s move forward
Tell us about
your Sarasota property.
Share what happened and where your claim stands. Our team can review your situation and discuss the next step.
727 777 7450Our Clearwater office2790 Sunset Point Road
Clearwater, FL 33759Monday–Friday 8:00am–5:00pm
Get to know our attorneys ↗Clearwater, FL 33759Monday–Friday 8:00am–5:00pm
How we can help
Our practice areas.
Your next step.
From property insurance disputes to personal injury, explore the ways Krapf Legal can help. Contact our Clearwater team to discuss your situation in Sarasota.
Water Damage
Address disagreements over water intrusion and interior repair costs.
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Mold Insurance
Our attorneys, with their wealth of knowledge and experience, are dedicated to helping clients who have experienced property damage and health issues due to mold.
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Hurricane Damage
Help when storm damage is denied, delayed, or underpaid.
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Roof Damage
Review disputed roof repairs and damage linked to a roof leak.
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Fire Damage
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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Bad-Faith
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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Hail Damage
Our attorneys help homeowners and businesses whose property suffered hail damage navigate insurance claims and pursue the compensation they deserve.
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Personal Injury
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.
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Our firm / Client experiences
Google Reviews
Client experiences with Krapf Legal’s Clearwater-based firm.
See all reviews on GoogleThis 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.