How Much Does a Property Insurance Lawyer Cost?

Written and reviewed by Cory Cannon, Esq.

Published July 12, 2026 Updated October 19, 2026

The cost of a property-insurance lawyer depends on the matter and the written engagement agreement. Some property-insurance disputes may be accepted on contingency, while other work may use a different arrangement.

Findings Summary

The initial consultation is free.
Some property-insurance matters may be accepted on contingency.
Under a contingency agreement, no recovery means no attorney’s fee. We may advance case costs. In certain circumstances, you may be responsible for case costs under your written agreement or the opposing party’s attorney’s fees or costs under applicable law, even without a recovery.
The written agreement states the fee and cost terms before work begins.
Florida law can create separate fee consequences in litigation, including through a qualifying proposal for settlement.

How a contingency agreement works

Under a contingency agreement, the lawyer’s compensation depends on a recovery. The signed agreement defines what counts as a recovery, how the fee is calculated, and how case costs are handled. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney’s fee under Cory Cannon’s contingency agreement. We may advance case costs. In certain circumstances, you may be responsible for case costs under your written agreement or the opposing party’s attorney’s fees or costs under applicable law, even without a recovery.

We explain the proposed terms before you decide whether to hire the firm.

Fees and costs are different

The attorney’s fee pays for legal work. Case costs can include filing fees, court reporters, records, inspections, and independent professionals retained to document the loss. The written agreement explains which costs may be incurred and how they are handled.

Can the insurer become responsible for attorney’s fees?

Sometimes, but a fee award is not automatic. Florida repealed the general one-way attorney-fee statutes for many property-insurance suits in 2022. A proposal for settlement under Fla. Stat. 768.79 can create fee consequences if the statutory requirements and judgment thresholds are met. The tool operates in both directions, so its risks should be evaluated in the specific case.

Where to start

A free consultation can identify the available fee structure before you sign anything.

Deadlines should be checked first. Fla. Stat. 627.70132 generally gives a policyholder one year from the date of loss to report an initial or reopened claim and eighteen months after the date of loss to report a supplemental claim, subject to the statute’s definitions and exceptions. Use our insurance claim deadline calculator as a starting point, then confirm the dates against the policy and current law.

Request a free consultation to discuss the claim and the fee arrangements that may be available. Any terms will be provided in writing before work begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays for the engineers, filing fees, and other case costs while the case is pending?

Under a contingency agreement, case costs such as court filing fees, court reporter charges, and the independent licensed engineers or contractors we retain are itemized line by line in your closing statement. We may advance case costs. In certain circumstances, you may be responsible for case costs under your written agreement or the opposing party’s attorney’s fees or costs under applicable law, even without a recovery.

Is the consultation really free, or will I get a bill later?

It is free, with no bill and no obligation. We review your policy, the denial letter or the carrier's estimate, and any contractor bids you have, then tell you exactly what our fee terms would be. You owe Cory Cannon a fee only under a written engagement agreement you have signed, and under a contingency agreement only if we recover money from your insurer.

What do I owe if you take my case and we lose?

Under a contingency agreement, no recovery means no attorney's fee. We may advance case costs. In certain circumstances, you may be responsible for case costs under your written agreement or the opposing party’s attorney’s fees or costs under applicable law, even without a recovery. One risk comes from Fla. Stat. 768.79: if the insurer serves its own proposal for settlement and the case ends far enough below it, a court can tax certain fees and costs against the policyholder.

Can the insurance company be forced to pay my attorney's fees?

Sometimes, but it is no longer automatic. Florida repealed the one-way attorney's fee statute for property insurance suits in December 2022. The remaining tool is a proposal for settlement under Fla. Stat. 768.79: if we serve one, the insurer rejects it, and the final judgment beats it by 25 percent or more, the court may order the insurer to pay attorney's fees accruing from the date of the proposal. When that happens, it reduces what comes out of your recovery.

We may advance case costs. In certain circumstances, you may be responsible for case costs under your written agreement or the opposing party’s attorney’s fees or costs under applicable law, even without a recovery.