Our Blogs

Commercial property owners in California are subject to a wide range of safety and compliance obligations. One question that frequently arises during inspections, tenant improvements, or enforcement actions is whether floor plans are required under California fire regulations. The answer is that floor plans are often required—not as architectural drawings alone, but as part of fire safety and emergency planning obligations under California law. Understanding when and why thes

By Geraci LLP – Property Damage Law Division INTRODUCTION When homeowners receive an insurance estimate after fire, water, storm, or smoke damage, they often feel blindsided. What they expected to be a straightforward process suddenly becomes confusing, frustrating, and financially overwhelming. The most common source of that frustration? Depreciation. Depreciation is a heavily misunderstood component of property damage claims, and insurers often use that confusion to their a

By Jasmine Daya, Geraci LLP – Property Damage Law Division INTRODUCTION You pay insurance premiums for years — sometimes decades — expecting that when disaster strikes, your insurer will be there to help you rebuild. But for many homeowners, the reality is far different: the insurance company responds with a shockingly low offer , delays the claim, attributes damage to “wear and tear,” or ignores entire categories of loss. At Geraci LLP’s Property Damage Law division, we see

A Complete Legal, Insurance, and Safety Guide for Fire, Water, Storm, Smoke & Catastrophic Losses By Jasmine Daya, Geraci LLP – Property Damage Law Division INTRODUCTION Property damage is one of the most stressful experiences a homeowner can endure. Whether it’s a burst pipe flooding your home at 3 a.m., a kitchen fire filling your house with smoke, storm winds tearing shingles off the roof, or a catastrophic event like wildfire or hurricane, the first 24 hours  will determi

By Jasmine Daya, Geraci LLP – Property Damage Law Division Water damage is one of the most common — and most complex — causes of property loss. Whether the source is a burst pipe, leaking appliance, roof intrusion, storm runoff, slab leak, sewage backup, or flooding from firefighting efforts, water can infiltrate a property in ways that are not immediately visible. Unfortunately, insurance companies often perform superficial inspections, missing or ignoring hidden damage that

September 21, 2025 By Jasmine Daya, Partner & COO, Geraci LLP After more than 20 years as a civil litigator in Canada, focusing primarily on personal injury and insurance disputes, I am proud to now call California my second home and to be firmly entrenched at Geraci LLP, where my passion for advocacy and protecting clients continues to drive everything I do. At Geraci LLP, we have always stood for one thing: protecting private lenders and investors. Now, we’re taking that co

Your insurance company may offer a low payout hoping you’ll accept quickly. Jasmine Daya shares how to evaluate these offers — and when to push back. Should I Accept a Low Settlement Offer From My Insurance Company? By Jasmine Daya, Esq. – Geraci LLP You finally hear from your insurer. But their offer is a fraction of what it will cost to repair or rebuild. You’re frustrated, confused, and wondering —  should I take the money or fight? Here’s what I tell every homeowner in th

When your insurer goes silent, you may be dealing with delay tactics or bad faith. Jasmine Daya explains what steps to take if your claim is ignored. What Should I Do If My Insurance Company Is Not Responding to My Claim? By Jasmine Daya, Esq. – Geraci LLP You’ve submitted your property damage claim. Maybe even uploaded documents and photos. But weeks have passed  and your insurance company has gone silent. What now? First, know this: You’re not alone. Insurers often use stra

California law allows homeowners to sue insurance companies for wrongful denial or delay. Jasmine Daya of Geraci LLP explains when and how you can take legal action. Ask Jasmine Daya: Can I Sue My Insurance Company for Denying My Claim in California? By Jasmine Daya, Esq. – Geraci LLP Yes, in California, you  can  sue your insurance company if your property damage claim was wrongfully denied or delayed without cause. In fact, under California law, you may be entitled to addit