What will you do when your insurance company refuses to make good on the claim you worked so tirelessly to prepare? After so many months and years of faithful investment, why are you now being faced with resistance by the company you expected to support you? Unfortunately, these are questions that come up for far too many homeowners in states throughout the nation. When you insurance company refuses to pay the claim you have made, you can refer to these steps as you attempt to take the next best course of action:
Don’t take the insurance company’s “no” as final word. It has been estimated that nearly 10% of all insurance claims are denied upon first being received; however, that does not mean that they cannot be questioned and then reassessed accordingly. Therefore, you should never settle for the first rejection you receive.
Make sure you understand your policy. If your insurance claim was denied, you can defer to the terms and conditions of your policy to better understand what prompted the denial. If the refusal still does not make sense, you may have reason to pursue the matter further.
Ask your insurance company to provide you with a written explanation for the denial that was made to you. If the reasons provided to you are insufficient or they show inconsistencies, you may have reasonable cause to take legal action.
Consider the possibility of filing errors. Some homeowner insurance claims are first refused due to an error that was made by the adjustor who is processing your claim. When this is the case, you can have your claim reassessed and compensated accordingly; however, you must remember that this will only be done if you question the refusal and do not accept first “no” that was issued to you.
Provide support for your claim. Sometimes, if you can provide more documented support for your claim, the insurance company will then be more inclined to make good on the money that is rightfully owed to you.
Enforce direct contact with your insurance company. Attempting to resolve a discrepancy or misunderstanding via email is hardly as effective as a direct phone call or in-office visit.
Contact a legal professional who can help in the efforts we have suggested above. While you can attempt these tips on your own, you stand much more likelihood of being successful in your efforts when you are assisted by an expert from our office.
If your insurance company is refusing to pay either partially or completely, we encourage you to contact us. Our numbers don’t lie. Time and again we have been able to successfully double the insurance proceeds that the company originally gave to you. Those who have been faithfully paying their insurance premiums are legally obligated to receive the benefits listed in their policy. If you choose to work with us, we will stop at nothing to maximize your benefits.