New York Insurance Claim Lawyers
When winter storms, nor’easters, or building system failures cause damage, you don’t just need a contractor—you need a New York–focused insurance claim team that documents causation, meets policy deadlines, and challenges denied or underpaid claims. Payne Law helps homeowners, condo/coop owners, HOAs/boards, and businesses across New York pursue fair payment for roof, water, fire, hail, lightning, and freeze losses.
Why New Yorkers Choose Payne Law
We build evidence-first files that stand up to insurer scrutiny: moisture mapping, roof/Envelope reports, expert opinions, complete scopes (including code/Ordinance & Law where applicable), and clean documentation that moves claims from dispute to resolution. From first notice of loss to appraisal, mediation, or litigation, our team pushes for the full value your policy promises—without quick, low settlements.
We regularly handle:
- Hurricane and tropical storm losses (wind-driven rain, roof uplift, interior flooding)
- Hail and wind damage to roofs, gutters, and siding
- Fire and smoke claims, including electrical or lightning damage
- Water and mold damage from burst pipes, slab leaks, or storms
- Commercial and HOA property claims involving large-scale repairs and master policies
- Denied or lowballed claims where insurers downplay or miscategorize damage
Our team works with local engineers, contractors, and independent adjusters to build airtight claim files that force insurers to take notice.
New York's Practice Areas
Hurricane & Tropical Storm
Flooding, wind damage, and interior destruction.
Wind Damage
Roof leaks, broken windows, and structural issues.
Hail Damage
Roof dents, cracked windows, and siding damage.
Roof Damage
Full replacement, active leaks, missing shingles.
Water Damage & Leaks
Plumbing leaks, appliance overflows, and mold risk.
Mold Damage
Hidden growth, remediation, air quality.
Fire & Smoke Damage
Property destruction, smoke residue, and rebuild costs.
Lightning & Power Surge
Power surges, electrical fires, and system failure.
Tornado Damage
Structural collapse, debris impact, and roof loss.
Sinkhole Damage
Subsidence, foundation cracks, structural shift.
Snow & Ice Damage
Snow load, ice dams, and freeze-burst pipes.
Personal Injury
Car accidents, slip and falls, and serious injuries.
Commercial & Large Loss
Business interruption, vandalism, and fire damage.
Denied or Underpaid Claims
Low offers, delays, claim denials.
Common Insurance Claims in New York
Winter Storms & Freeze Damage
Ice dams, frozen/burst pipes, hydronic heating leaks, and roof membrane failures after heavy snow or rapid thaw. Interiors show ceiling stains, wet insulation, buckled floors, and hidden mold if drying is delayed.
Wind
Wind uplift, flashing failures, and wind-driven rain through windows, curtain walls, and parapet transitions, especially in coastal Long Island and exposed high-rise elevations.
Water & Mold
Supply-line failures, stack leaks, shower pans, and AC condensate overflows in multifamily buildings; prompt mitigation and documentation are critical to preserve coverage and prevent exclusions.
Fire & Smoke
Kitchen fires, electrical shorts, and building mechanical incidents; smoke cleaning, deodorization, and contents inventories are frequently under-scoped by carriers.
Hail & Lightning / Power Surge
Localized hail can crease shingles or bruise membranes upstate; lightning and surges damage HVAC, appliances, and electronics statewide.
Commercial & Community Claims
Flat/low-slope roofs (TPO/EPDM/modified bitumen), skylights, HVAC curbs, sign damage, inventory losses, and business interruption (BI). Condo/coop master policies vs. unit owner responsibilities require careful allocation and documentation.
Roofs, Facades, and Building Systems: New York Realities
New York combines slate, asphalt shingle, standing-seam metal, and extensive flat membranes on rowhouses, multifamily, and commercial properties. Ice damming forces water beneath shingles; parapets, bulkheads, and coping stones are recurring leak points. In co-ops/condos, façade and window systems fall under master policy while interior build-back often lands on HO-6—getting the division right prevents finger-pointing and delay. For code/Ordinance & Law, ventilation, underlayment, and electrical upgrades can materially change scope and price when covered.
What To Do After a Loss (New York Checklist)
- Stay Safe: Avoid icy roofs and live electrical.
- Mitigate Promptly: Tarp, shut off water, dry-out, and save every receipt.
- Document Everything: Wide/close photos, video walkthroughs, and contents lists.
- Start a Claim Log: Dates, names, and promises from adjusters/vendors.
- Notify Insurer Quickly: Report the loss and get a claim number.
- Call Us Early: We help preserve evidence, protect deadlines, and avoid claim-killing mistakes.
- Deep experience with New York disputes
- Clear updates and a straightforward game plan
- We negotiate hard; then litigate when needed
- Serving homeowners, businesses, and HOAs across Florida
These testimonials and case results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Every case is unique and depends on the specific facts and circumstances involved.
More About Payne Law
With a team of skilled attorneys, Payne Law focuses on property insurance disputes and serious injury cases for homeowners, HOAs, and businesses across Florida, Georgia, Colorado, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. Our lawyers are recognized for results and service, and we pair that experience with clear communication and no upfront fees. When an insurer delays, denies, or underpays, we’re ready to step in and fight for full recovery.
Serving Communities Across North Carolina
We represent clients in New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island), Long Island (Nassau, Suffolk), Westchester (Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle), Hudson Valley (Yonkers/White Plains to Poughkeepsie), and Upstate including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Schenectady, Utica, Binghamton, Niagara Falls, Troy, Ithaca, Saratoga Springs, and surrounding communities. Not nearby? We coordinate inspections, documents, and updates by phone, text, and secure upload.
Our Process
Free Claim Review: Policy Declarations, photos, estimates, and inspection reports.
Scope & Value: We identify missing line items (roof system, underlayment, code upgrades).
Demand & Negotiation: We pursue fair payment; if the carrier stalls, we escalate.
File Suit if Needed: We litigate in Orange County and statewide to protect your rights.
Start With a Free Case Review
If the insurer is delaying, denying, or underpaying, we’re ready to help. Tell us what happened, we’ll confirm coverage issues, discuss strategy, and next steps.
Call (833) 467-2963 or Contact Us Online
- Proven Results
- No Fee Unless We Win
- Local Knowledge
- Insurance Experience
- Trial-Ready
New York Insurance Claim Frequently Asked Questions
Every case is different; the best answers come from looking at your facts, documents, and deadlines. Contact Payne Law for a free, no-obligation review and clear next steps.
My claim was denied after a nor’easter. Can you help?
Often, yes. Many denials hinge on labeling wind-driven water as “wear and tear,” or calling roof/facade damage “cosmetic.” We review your denial letter, photos, mitigation invoices, and any contractor reports, then re-build causation with moisture mapping, roof/envelope reports, and weather data. If the record supports coverage, we escalate via supplement, appraisal/mediation, or suit where appropriate.
My claim was denied after a nor’easter. Can you help?
Policies vary. Many cover sudden and accidental discharge from plumbing and damage from ice dams, but exclude long-term seepage or lack of maintenance. Documentation of the event (freeze dates, plumber invoices, mitigation logs) makes the difference. We also evaluate code/Ordinance & Law (e.g., insulation/ventilation upgrades) where your policy provides it.
Can my condo/coop board force me to use the master policy?
Master policies typically handle the building shell and common elements; unit owners’ HO-6 policies often cover interior finishes/contents. Allocation depends on governing documents and policy language. We sort responsibilities, coordinate scopes between master and HO-6, and keep schedules aligned so build-back isn’t delayed.
Will the insurer pay for a full roof replacement or just patches?
If repairs won’t restore function or a reasonably uniform appearance, or if code/manufacturer specs require more extensive work, full slope or full-roof replacement may be warranted. We document underlayment, flashing, ventilation, and matching issues that push a partial repair into a replacement.
How long do I have to file or supplement a claim in New York?
Policies require prompt notice and proof-of-loss timelines; suit limitations vary. Contact us quickly so we can calendar deadlines, lock down evidence, and avoid technical forfeitures.
Can I claim business interruption after a storm shuts us down?
Potentially, if there’s covered physical damage that triggers BI under your policy. We document downtime, lost revenue, and extra expense, and push carriers to recognize real operational impact. For leased spaces, we untangle obligations between landlord/tenant and the policy.
