Property Insurance Claims
Serving Michigan, Ohio, and Nationwide Policyholders
For nearly 40 years, Fabian, Sklar, King & Liss, P.C. has exclusively represented policyholders in first-party property insurance claims. From our Michigan headquarters, we serve homeowners and businesses throughout Michigan and Ohio, and we are frequently called upon to assist in high-value property loss cases nationwide.
We do not represent insurance companies. Our firm exists for one purpose: to enforce the rights of policyholders when insurers delay, deny, or underpay valid property insurance claims.
Our attorneys are nationally recognized leaders in property insurance law. Members of our firm have helped author the leading treatise on Michigan insurance law and have litigated precedent-setting cases that shaped coverage rights for policyholders. That depth of experience, combined with a proven record of recoveries exceeding $500 million, has made our firm a trusted resource for clients, public adjusters, and referring attorneys handling complex property losses.
Fabian, Sklar, King & Liss is based in Michigan and licensed in Michigan and Ohio, where we regularly handle residential and commercial property insurance claims. When a significant loss occurs outside those states, we assist policyholders nationwide by working with local counsel as required.
Our practice is built for large, complex, and heavily disputed claims—not volume work. Whether a loss involves a single property or multiple locations, our attorneys bring the same disciplined, litigation-ready approach to every case.
Property Insurance Claims We Handle
Fire and explosion losses
Fire and explosion losses often result in total destruction, business shutdowns, and long-term displacement. These claims also attract heightened scrutiny from insurers seeking to minimize payouts.
Our attorneys have decades of experience handling fire and explosion insurance claims, including losses involving gas leaks, electrical failures, equipment malfunctions, and structural fires. We work with certified fire investigators, engineers, and other experts to establish origin and cause, document the full scope of damage, and defeat insurer attempts to blame maintenance issues or excluded causes.
Our firm has handled some of the most significant fire and explosion cases in the region and beyond, securing substantial recoveries for homeowners, businesses, and estates. We are frequently highlighted in year end records in Michigan for the highest and most substantial property insurance claims litigation.
Storm, Wind, and Collapse Claims
Severe storms, high winds, snow loads, and hail frequently cause structural failures that insurers attempt to characterize as wear and tear or long-term deterioration.
We represent policyholders in claims involving:
Roof failures
Structural collapse
Wind-driven rain intrusion
Snow and ice loading
Tornado and severe weather damage
Coverage for collapse and structural damage often turns on technical policy language and expert analysis. Our attorneys work closely with structural engineers to prove that damage resulted from covered causes and to challenge improper denials based on vague exclusions or misapplied policy provisions.
Water Damage Claims
Water damage claims are among the most frequently disputed property insurance losses. Insurers often deny or limit coverage by alleging gradual damage, maintenance issues, or excluded causes.
We handle claims involving:
Burst and frozen pipes
Plumbing failures
Appliance leaks
Roof-related water intrusion
Sudden internal flooding
Our firm helps clients document sudden loss events, retain appropriate experts, and push back against insurer tactics designed to shift blame to the property owner.
Business Interruption and Commercial Losses
When a covered property loss disrupts operations, business interruption insurance is intended to replace lost income and help businesses survive the interruption.
These claims are complex and often underpaid. Our attorneys work with forensic accountants and industry experts to calculate lost profits, continuing expenses, and other covered losses. We challenge insurer assumptions, flawed methodologies, and arbitrary limitations that reduce claim value.
We regularly represent manufacturers, commercial property owners, and service businesses facing extended shutdowns following fires, storms, and equipment failures.
Insurance Agent Negligence
In some cases, the problem is not the insurer’s denial—but the absence of coverage due to an agent’s mistake.
We handle insurance agent negligence claims where agents fail to:
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Procure requested coverage
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Explain exclusions or limitations
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Recommend appropriate policy limits
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Properly advise commercial clients
Our firm has obtained some of the largest agent-negligence results in Michigan. When coverage gaps result from professional errors, we pursue the responsible parties to recover the benefits clients should have had.
Denied, Delayed, and Underpaid Claims
Insurance companies routinely delay investigations, demand excessive documentation, or issue partial denials on high-value claims.
We represent policyholders in:
Wrongful claim denials
Prolonged investigation delays
Lowball settlement offers
Improper reservation-of-rights disputes
Our attorneys manage all insurer communications, prepare clients for Examinations Under Oath (EUOs), and ensure that insurers comply with contractual and statutory obligations. When necessary, we litigate aggressively to enforce coverage and pursue penalties for unjustified delay.
Our Approach: Early Legal Involvement and Litigation-Ready Preparation
Our philosophy is simple: claims that are prepared for litigation are more likely to be paid, sometimes even before litigation is required.
Early Claim Involvement
We prefer to become involved as early as possible—often immediately after a loss. Early legal guidance helps prevent missteps, preserves evidence, and positions the claim properly from the outset.
Expert-Driven Investigation
We work with fire investigators, engineers, contractors, forensic accountants, and other specialists to build comprehensive claim packages supported by objective evidence.
EUO and Coverage Protection
When insurers demand recorded statements or Examinations Under Oath, we prepare and attend with our clients to ensure questions remain within legal bounds and rights are protected.
Strategic Negotiation
Our negotiations are grounded in evidence, policy language, and legal precedent—not empty threats. Insurers know our reputation and understand that unreasonable positions will be challenged.
Litigation When Necessary
If insurers refuse to pay what is owed, we are fully prepared to litigate. Our attorneys have tried and appealed complex property insurance cases and are comfortable pursuing matters through trial when required.
We handle cases on a contingency fee basis—clients pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation
Why Policyholders and Professionals Trust Our Firm
Exclusive Policyholder Representation – We never represent insurers.
Decades of Focus – Nearly 40 years dedicated to property insurance law.
Proven Results – Over $500 million recovered for policyholders.
National Reputation – Trusted by public adjusters and attorneys nationwide.
Litigation Strength – Trial-ready from day one.
Client Commitment – Direct attorney involvement and clear communicatio
Request Property Insurance Claim Consultation
If your property insurance claim has been delayed, denied, or underpaid—or if you are facing a catastrophic loss—experienced legal guidance can make the difference.
We offer complimentary initial consultations to evaluate coverage, review policy language, and assess the strength of your claim. If we accept your case, we immediately take over communications and pursue the full benefits you are owed.
Fabian, Sklar, King & Liss represents policyholders in Michigan, Ohio, and select cases nationwide, in coordination with local counsel where required.
Navigating Complex Coverage Disputes
Insurance policies are dense and often confusing. A single clause can determine whether your claim is paid or denied. Our attorneys are leaders in interpreting coverage, having helped author Michigan Insurance Law and Practice which is the leading treatise in this field. We know how insurers exploit ambiguous language – and how to close those loopholes.
We analyze every provision, endorsement and exclusion to challenge wrongful denials and narrow interpretations. Sometimes a strategic letter from our coverage team prompts payment; other times we pursue appraisal, mediation or litigation. We also handle insurance agent negligence claims when coverage gaps stem from agent error.
Our goal is to ensure you receive every benefit your policy promises for repairs, replacements, loss of use or business losses.
Maximizing Your Insurance Payout
After a disaster, proving the amount of your loss is critical. Our team helps document every detail, including building damage, personal property, inventory, income loss, ALE and equipment replacement, using forensic accountants, estimators and adjusters to calculate true value.
We prepare comprehensive claim packages with evidence, expert reports and itemized valuations, all insurer communications and negotiations to prevent lowball offers or missteps and push for full and fair settlements. When insurers refuse to pay what’s owed, we litigate.
Bottom line: we fight for every dollar you deserve, from initial filing through appeal.
Request a Property Insurance Claim Consultation
If your claim has been delayed, denied, or underpaid—or if you are facing a significant loss—our attorneys can evaluate coverage and explain your options. Consultations are confidential and free.