How to Dispute Your Homeowner’s Insurance Claim
The Best Ways To Dispute Your Homeowner’s Insurance Claim
Did you know that each year, about one in twenty homes that are insured file a homeowners insurance claim? Naturally, no one wants to be in the position of having to file a claim with their homeowner’s insurance company. In this article, you will learn how to dispute your homeowner’s insurance claim.
However, when you find yourself having to file a claim, you want it to be settled quickly and with a settlement offer that will cover the cost.
If your homeowner’s insurance settlement offer is too low or your claim is denied, it can be difficult to know what to do next.
Keep reading to find out the steps you can take to get a better settlement offer or reopen the claim.
Top Reasons Home Insurance Claims Get Denied
Before diving into what to do if your claim gets denied, it is important to know why your claim might get denied. This will help you prevent a denial or settlement offer that is too low.
Review your policy with an experienced insurance adjuster if you need help.
Does your policy cover the type of damage you are filing a claim for? Check your policy to see if your claim type is covered.
If the insurance company believes the damage is being misrepresented, it may consider it an act of fraud and can result in them taking legal action.
Was the cause or type of damage properly identified? This can cause a homeowners insurance claim to be denied. Be sure to send as many details as possible.
Your home insurance can also deny an insurance claim if they believe that the repair cost or the replacement value does not exceed your deductible.
Hiring a Public Adjustor
Home insurance claims can take a lot of time and be complicated. Hiring a public adjuster can help.
While there is a cost associated with hiring a public adjuster you will find that the cost is often worth it. A public adjuster can help with your initial claim, and they can also help if your claim is denied.
A public adjuster is there to advocate for you. In addition, they help ensure your claims are handled promptly, reduce your stress, and increases the amount of your settlement. Besides, their fees are covered by the claim payout, so you don’t pay out of pocket.
When Homeowners Insurance Denies Your Claim
If you find yourself facing a home insurance claim denial or a settlement offer that is too low, the first thing you must do is find out the cause of the denial or settlement amount. Once you know why the following steps will help as you move forward.
- Review Your Insurance: When you get the news that your claim has been denied, it is easy to get upset or angry. However, review your coverage first. Make sure that your coverage does in fact the type of damage you are claiming repairs for and the amount of coverage your policy entitles you to.
- Review Your Claim: This is especially important when your settlement offer is lower than you believe it should be. Reviewing your claim allows you to talk to your insurance company about their perspective. Once you have reviewed your claim, you will have a better idea of the estimates and documentation you may need to appeal.
- File an Appeal: When you have all the documentation you need for an appeal, make sure you file an appeal politely. Unfortunately, insurance agents, who are doing their job, receive a lot of abuse when customers are displeased.
- If you fly off the handle and threaten lawyers and lawsuits, you are less likely to get a favorable response. Many people believe this tactic will scare the insurance company into responding differently. This is not true!
- In these circumstances, your insurance company is more likely just to let the lawyers handle it.
- Write a letter that explains things from your perspective and includes quotes and documentation from professionals. Request a response within a certain number of days.
- Ask for Another Inspection: Ask for your claims adjustor to come over and do another inspection. This way, you can talk face to face. It may also help to have professionals who have given you quotes present as well. This way, they can talk to the claims adjustor about the extent of the damage and the cost. These professionals may also have the ability to show your claims adjustor damage they missed.
- File a Complaint with the Insurance Department: Every state has its own regulations regarding insurance. This means that your state has an insurance department. There are multiple things your state insurance department can help you with. For instance, if you are having problems with your insurance company, they may be able to help.
If you have a complaint against your insurance company or even an individual agent, you can use your state insurance department to give you more influence. The state department is then responsible for investigating that claim. Some common complaints are:
- Unfair claim denials
- Delays in claim handling
- Unfair settlement offers
If you have a valid complaint, having the state department on your side will be a valuable tool.
The Last Resort
Filing a lawsuit against your insurance company should always be the last resort. Lawsuits are complicated, messy, and take a lot of money and time. However, if you have tried everything else and been unsuccessful, it may become necessary.
Get the Settlement You Deserve
When navigating a homeowners insurance claim, the process can feel complicated and stressful. However, you can take steps to ensure that you are not only getting what you deserve but you are doing so without having to overcomplicate the process.
If hiring a public adjuster is the right step for you, make sure you choose the right one.
Platinum Public Adjusters is passionate about helping the homeowner get their much-needed repairs handled promptly, without any stress, and with a just payout amount.
Contact them to schedule your free consultation and inspection. They do not get paid until you do. Contact them today to learn more about how
