Denied an Insurance Claim? Now What?

Owning a home is a huge commitment and responsibility. The best thing that you can do for yourself and your family is to have the best insurance policy available. While no one anticipates that their home will succumb to damages, there is no way to be sure that it won’t happen. If you do encounter property damages, your insurance company should be there to assist with the claims process. After all, it should just be a quick claims process, an inspection, and a check in the mail to cover your repairs, right? It isn’t always that easy, and the claims process doesn’t always go as anticipated. Unfortunately, sometimes your insurance claim can be denied. If you were denied an insurance claim, it is important to look into the reason why, and what your options are going forward. The first step is understanding how the claims process works.

I was Denied an Insurance Claim. Now, what do I do?

Weather, natural disasters, and human error are all common reasons for filing an insurance claim on your property. If one of these uncontrollable circumstances occurs, you will need to file a claim. If you have never had to file a claim, the process can seem a bit intimidating. It is important to have all of your information together before filing your claim. When you know what to expect from your insurance company, your claim is less likely to be denied.

Insurance Claim Process

The claims process works in the following order:

• Initial contact: When you encounter damages to your property, you should immediately contact your insurance company. This phone call will begin the claims process. You will be asked about the damages, how they occurred, and if you have any supporting documentation to support your claim. Take photos of your damages and document any losses that you incur because of them.
• Adjuster visit: After you file your claim, the insurance company will have one of their own adjusters come out to perform an inspection of your property and damages. The visit will be scheduled, and they will expect to be able to take a walk-thru of your property and take photos, and notes throughout their visit.
• Investigation: The adjuster will bring his or her findings to the insurance company. The insurance company will look into your damages and the policy that you selected. The claims process can take anywhere from a few days to a few months, depending on the extent of your damages.
• Decision: When your insurance company reaches a decision in regards to your claim, they will notify you by phone call and written letter. They will let you know if the claim is going to be paid, and if so, how much they are willing to compensate you for the damages. If you have been awarded compensation for your claim, the check usually follows a few days later.

In the event that your insurance claim is denied, there is still hope! Of course, knowing how the claims process works would avoid many bumps in the road along the way, but mistakes do still happen.

The following steps will help you to see if you still have a possibility of winning your claim:

• Look over your policy with a fine-tooth comb. Do not skim it. Read the policy in completion in order to determine, if, to the best of your knowledge, your claim should be paid by the company. Losing an insurance claim is not always your fault. The technicalities and legal jargon in insurance policy documents make them difficult for the average person to comprehend. All coverages for your policy should be outlined in writing. If there are parts of the policy that you don’t understand, hiring a public adjuster could be beneficial for your cause. They can take your specific policy and determine your coverages by deciphering the legal terms. If it is found that your policy, in fact, does not cover the damages that you incurred, you will now understand why the claim was denied. If your policy appears that it should cover your damages, the public adjuster can continue to work with you to appeal your claim.
• Look over the denial letter that was sent. The letter should outline the reason that your claim is not going to be paid. By law, all insurance companies are required to give an exact reason for denial. Giving this document another look will help you to gain a bit of insight as to how you can get your claim paid. If the document is not as clear as you would like it to be, you can always ask to speak to a representative.
• Provide evidence and documentation. If you think there was an error with your claim, get all of your photos and paperwork together. Hire an independent adjuster to determine the amount of your damages.
• Appeal. The public adjuster that has been working with you to determine your coverages, amount of damages, and your rights as a homeowner, will help you to appeal the determination issued by the insurance company. With a professional at your side, there is more of a chance that the denial could be overturned. The claim will be reopened, and submitted with a new argument that is meant for the insurance company to issue a favorable result.

Miami Garden Public adjusters work independently and have no association with your insurance company. They are hired by you to provide accurate accounts of your damages, and to make the claims process easier- whether is an initial claim or appeal. Let them do the work and the process will be less time consuming and less stressful!