Top-Rated Des Moines Property Damage Lawyers

 

When disaster strikes your home or business, you lose far more than a building or structure. You lose the place where your family’s memories were created or your livelihood was built. Whether a severe storm tears off your roof, a burst pipe floods your basement, or a fire damages your business, property damage can change everything in a split second.

When a crisis happens, you are right to expect your insurance company to step in and be an ally. But too often, they delay, underpay, or deny valid claims. This leaves homeowners and business owners scrambling to pick up the pieces. At Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling, we help clients across Des Moines and throughout Iowa stand up to insurance companies that don’t deliver on their promises.

We understand how stressful it can be to face property damage, and it’s made especially stressful when your insurer is working against you. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us handle every detail of your claim so you can focus on putting your life back together.

Common Types of Property Damage Claims

Iowa homeowners and business owners face unique risks. From powerful thunderstorms and flooding to vandalism and winter weather, our state sees a lot of destruction.

Some of the most common types of property damage include:

• Wind and Tornado Damage: Iowa is in Tornado Alley, which means many Iowans face significant losses after tornadoes and other high-wind events.
• Water Damage: Flooding from heavy rains, sump pump failures, or burst pipes can cause mold, ruined drywall, and long-term structural problems.
• Fire and Smoke Damage: Even a small fire can lead to extensive smoke damage, making cleanup and restoration a long, expensive, and complex process.
• Vandalism and Theft: Businesses and homes alike can be left with broken windows, stolen property, and unexpected repair costs.
• Falling Tree and Debris Damage: Storms often leave trees and debris in their wake, and these impacts can be seen across neighborhoods, crushing fences, cars, and homes.

When property damage upends your life, you have the right to fair treatment from your insurance company. Our team is here to make sure your rights are upheld.

When Your Claim Gets Delayed or Denied

Everyone who pays insurance premiums consistently expects coverage in return. It’s what you pay for. But insurance companies sometimes use tactics to reduce what they pay out. When that happens, it adds insult to injury.

They might do the following:

• Delay your claim for months and say it’s for further investigation
• Offer a low settlement that doesn’t begin to cover the full cost of repairs
• Deny your claim by blaming wear and tear or preexisting issues
• Request excessive documentation to stall progress

These strategies serve the insurance companies and leave paying customers out in the cold. Iowa law requires insurance companies to act in good faith, meaning they must process claims fairly and without unnecessary delay. When they don’t, you may need to seek additional compensation through a bad-faith insurance claim.

Our attorneys know exactly what bad faith behavior looks like, and we have the experience and resources to challenge unfair denials and hold insurers accountable under Iowa law.

Understanding Your Rights Under Iowa Insurance Law

Iowa policyholders have strong legal protections when dealing with insurance claims. The Iowa Insurance Division enforces laws that prevent insurers from mishandling or unfairly denying valid claims.

Under Iowa law, you have the right to:

• Receive clear explanations of your policy coverage and exclusions
• Get timely responses from your insurance company
• Receive written notice explaining why a claim is denied
• File complaints or appeals if your insurer acts in bad faith

The law mandates that insurers must process claims promptly and communicate honestly with policyholders. If your claim is being delayed or denied, our experienced property damage lawyers can help ensure your rights are protected.

How a Property Damage Attorney Can Help

Dealing with a damaged home or business is stressful enough. You shouldn’t also have to fight your insurance company when they fail to fairly process your claim. That’s where we come in.

At Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling, our lawyers:

• Review your policy and explain your coverage in clear, simple terms
• Work with trusted contractors and adjusters to assess the full extent of your losses
• Negotiate directly with your insurance company for fair compensation
• Handle appeals or litigation if your claim is denied or underpaid
• Represent you in bad faith claims when the insurer’s conduct violates Iowa law

We know how these big insurance companies operate and what it takes to hold them accountable. Our job is to make sure you’re not left paying out of pocket for covered losses.

Steps to Take After Property Damage

Taking the following key steps immediately after discovering property damage can protect your claim:

1. Document Everything: Take detailed photos and videos of all visible damage, including damaged belongings, structural issues, and repairs in progress.
2. Prevent Further Damage: Make temporary repairs if you can do so safely, like boarding up windows or covering a roof with a tarp.
3. Contact Your Insurance Company Promptly: Report the damage right away, as most policies have strict timelines for filing.
4. Keep a Record of Communication: Write down the names and titles of everyone you speak to and keep copies of all correspondence and receipts.
5. Contact a Property Damage Attorney: If your insurer delays or questions your claim, get legal help before accepting any settlement.

Our team can step in at any stage during this process to manage all communication, negotiate your claim, and take legal action if necessary.

Common Disputes in Property Damage Claims

Even seemingly straightforward claims can become complicated when the insurance company is weaseling out of its responsibility. Common disputes include:

• Coverage Exclusions: Insurance companies may claim damage isn’t covered because it was caused by flooding, earth movement, or another excluded event.
• Undervalued Repairs: Insurers often underestimate the cost of restoring a property to its original condition.
• Causation Disputes: Insurers may argue that damage resulted from your neglect and is therefore not a covered event.
• Partial Payments: Some insurers only approve part of what’s needed to make your home or business whole, leaving homeowners struggling to complete repairs.

We work with engineers, adjusters, and contractors that we trust to document damage accurately and strengthen your case for full compensation.

Bad Faith Insurance Practices in Iowa

Insurance companies in Iowa are legally required to handle claims in good faith. When they fail to do so, they can be held legally accountable for dropping the ball.

Examples of bad faith behavior include:

• Unreasonable denial of a valid claim
• Failure to investigate damage properly
• Misrepresentation of policy terms
• Deliberate delays or lack of communication

If your insurer’s behavior has only intensified your stress and worry, we can pursue a bad faith insurance claim to recover everything from your policy benefits to damages for emotional distress and financial loss.

Property Damage Across Des Moines and Throughout Iowa

From hailstorms over Polk County to flash flooding near the Des Moines River, property owners across Iowa know all too well how quickly weather can destroy property. Cities like Cedar Rapids, Ames, and Council Bluffs have all faced devastating floods and windstorms in recent years.

Even minor damage, like a frozen pipe during a harsh Iowa winter, can lead to expensive repairs. When insurance companies delay payments or deny coverage for even the smallest issue, it adds extreme hardship for families and businesses.

At Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling, we’re proud to help Iowans across the state recover from these senseless setbacks and move forward with confidence.

Contact Our Des Moines Property Damage Lawyers Today

When property damage turns your life upside down, don’t handle the legal complexities on your own. The Des Moines property damage lawyers at Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling are ready to help you get out from under the burden you carry by guiding you through every step of the claims process.  

Contact our team today to schedule your free consultation. We’ll listen to all your concerns, explain your options, and fight the insurance company for the compensation you need to rebuild your life.