Each year, natural disasters kill about 60,000 people around the world. If you survive the storm, you still have to worry about the different charges that occur for your home.
But what happens if your property insurance claims are denied? While this can feel like a difficult situation to be in, there are steps that you can take. Read on to explore this complete guide on what to do next if your property insurance claims are denied.
Why Insurance Claims Are Denied
An insurance claims attorney can help since it’s common for companies to deny your claim for your home. Sometimes it might just be a mistake, while others times it could have a reason. Sometimes, they might misread your policy terms, might make a filing error, etc.
Negligence
Another reason is due to negligence. If you don’t take care of your property, this can lead to damages that could have been avoided.
A common reason is due to an old roof. If your roof is damaged after a storm, they might find that your shingles are too old.
Limited Coverage
Keep in mind that not everything will be covered. It’s important to see what’s covered and not in your home insurance guide. The damage that you experience might fall underneath an additional coverage that you need to buy.
Exceeded Coverage Limit
There’s also the possibility of damages that exceed your coverage limit. There will be a cap to your insurance, and once you reach it, the rest will be on you.
Contact Your Insurance
First, hire a denied claims attorney and have them contact your insurance company. They can give you insurance claim advice and fight for what you need and deserve.
If you’re going about it alone, be sure to review the claim that you initially filed. Decide if there’s any way that you can improve the evidence that shows a loss or damage.
Have photos ready of the damage that you experienced. Keep all receipts and estimates for repairs as well. Have everything together and organized before you contact your insurance company.
Ask yourself:
- If there’s enough evidence in photos to prove damages
- If there’s a term in the policy that’s in a dispute
- If the adjuster didn’t have a complete understanding of your situation
Speak with your insurance company about the estimate that you received from the adjuster. They calculate the estimate, not the agent at the insurance company.
Based on this, you can ask for the claim to be reviewed. The adjuster can then reexamine the property damage that they have listed.
Even if they re-evaluate the situation, keep in mind that doesn’t mean that they’ll change the settlement offer. If this occurs, you can reach out for a 3rd party appraisal.
Other Options
You can hire a public adjuster in order to manage the claims. They can handle the stress and save you time. They can even offer you a free initial claim review.
Keep in mind that if you hire a lawyer, it could be an expensive venture. Some might work pro bono since they often do a few cases for free each year.
Avoiding a Claim Denial
In order to avoid claim denials in the future, make sure to study the fine print of the agreement. You’ll want to understand all of the risks that will and won’t be covered.
Check Your Policy
Check the policy every 6 months for any changes. It’s also a good idea to check it every time that you want to do renovations for your home. If new additions aren’t covered, you might want to update your policy.
Inventory Items
Keep an inventory of your home. Take pictures of your home’s structure and all of your possessions. This will allow you to show before and after photos of the damage.
Life Events
Let them know about all life events that occur. This can include marriage as well to include your spouse’s items.
Check Your Coverage
Check your coverage and consider increasing the amount that you’re covered if it’s low. Keep in mind that when you make changes to your home, the value of it will increase.
Research
Before you choose an insurance company, take a look at their reviews before you choose them. It might also be a good idea to read about them on the Better Business Bureau. This will show you any complaints that they’ve had over the years.
Natural Disaster Claims
Natural disaster claims can lead to multiple claims. This in turn can cause a delay in them getting back to you. You might have to wait a couple of weeks for them to return your call.
Due to this, it might lead to rough estimates when it comes to claims. If this happens, you should receive a 2nd visit from them later on. When they arrive for the first appointment, speak with them about the upcoming one if the first is just an estimate.
What You Can Do When Your Property Insurance Claims Are Denied
After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea of what to do when your property insurance claims are denied. Take your time speaking with your insurance company, and taking pictures of the evidence. If you’re getting nowhere, consider an independent appraiser, or even a lawyer.
Would you like to read more informative guides that have your lifestyle needs in mind? Check out our other educational articles on our site today!
