DENIED HOME INSURANCE CLAIM? HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO.

by Van Den Heuvel Law Office

Homeowners pay their insurance every month in order to protect their house and the things they cherish in it. However, when something goes wrong and a claim is filed, the insurance company still has the right to deny the claim. The denial of a homeowner’s claim can cause substantial financial hardship as well as add unnecessary stress to an already difficult situation. It is important to know that if your insurer has denied your claim, you have legal options. At the Van Den Heuvel Law Office, our experienced attorneys are here to walk you through all your legal options. To learn more, call or contact our office today to schedule a consultation.

Clarify the Reason for Denial

The first thing that should be done after an insurer denies a homeowner’s claim is to get clarification on the reason for the denial. If you hire a qualified attorney, they can handle all the communication with the insurance company while you handle whatever issues are happening with your home. The lawyer can speak with the manager of the insurance company and request in writing the exact reason why the claim was denied and how the insurance company reached their decision. The attorney can also request that a second opinion be rendered by another insurance adjuster to evaluate the case. In some situations, this step is enough to reverse the original decision on the claim.

Appeal the Denial

If the insurance company still refuses to accept the claim, you have the right to appeal the decision. Most insurers have a formalized system for handling appeals. You should get your attorney the following information about your claim prior to the appellate process:

• The date of the incident,
• The damage sustained,
• The mitigation efforts taken to prevent the damage,
• The mitigation efforts taken to reduce the damage,
• Any witness statements,
• Photos or videos of the scene, and
• Anything else that may be helpful to the case.

Reasons for Denying a Claim

There are many reasons why an insurance company may deny a homeowner’s claim. In some cases, inexperienced adjusters simply make mistakes during the examination of a claim. However, in other cases the claim may be denied for an unlawful or improper reason. The insurer may know that the claim is valid but deny it or offer a settlement worth far less than what is truly owed to the homeowner. There are also situations where an insurer acts in bad faith, willfully engaging in unlawful acts to attempt to avoid paying on a valid claim. To learn more about why your claim may have been denied and to learn more about what can be done, talk to our office today.

Call or Contact Our Office Now

Have you submitted a homeowner’s claim only to have it be denied by the insurance company? If so, the experienced insurance claim lawyers at the Van Den Heuvel Law Office may be able to help. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a consultation of your case. 

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