Property insurance is supposed to help relieve the financial burden after a catastrophic event, which is why receiving a notice that a property damage claim has been denied or is being underpaid can be so devastating. If your valid claim has been denied or is being underpaid, you still have options. Here are five steps you can take to dispute the insurance company’s decision.
1. FIND OUT WHY YOUR CLAIM WAS DENIED OR UNDERPAID.
Request that they provide you with a letter explaining the reason your claim is being denied or what damages are not being covered. Don’t be afraid to contact your insurance company if you don’t understand why your claim was denied, or if the reasons they provide are unclear or ambiguous.
2. READ YOUR INSURANCE POLICY AND KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.
Sometimes denied coverage can result from a misunderstanding on the part of your insurance company. If you know your rights under your property insurance policy, you can bring any discrepancies to your insurance adjuster’s attention to appeal the denied coverage.
3. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING
In many cases, a denied or underpaid claim may be due to a lack of documentation. For example, if wind destroyed your roof the documentation may not show the extent or cost of the damage to the insurance company’s satisfaction. If your claim has been denied or underpaid, review all the documentation you have including dates, times, photos and steps you’ve taken to protect your property.
4. REQUEST A SECOND INSPECTION
If you disagree with your insurance company’s assessment of your property and the extent of the damages, you can request a second inspection. In most cases, this will be done by a separate adjuster.
5. GET PROFESSIONAL HELP
Without any prior insurance claim knowledge or experience, most people are at a disadvantage when filing a property damage claim. Hiring an insurance claim expert like a Public Adjuster can help level the playing field and ensure that your claim is paid fairly and the maximum settlement for your claim is paid.
Should you have questions about your insurance coverage or insurance settlement amount, or if you would like a free claim review we encourage you to give us a call at 833-232-5246 or contact us online today.
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