What to do if your homeowner’s insurance claim was denied

Sat Mar 21st, 2015 on     Homeowners Insurance,    

You have homeowner’s insurance on your property to help pay for the unexpected. When your home is damaged, you would assume your insurance provider would help pay for at least some the expenses associated with the damages and repairs. 

Filing an insurance claim can be an emotional and confusing ordeal, especially if your home suffered major damage. Imagine your surprise when your insurance claim is denied. Unfortunately, homeowner’s insurance claims are denied more than you think.

Common reasons for denied claims include not paying your premiums, the cause of the damage is not covered, failure to take preventative measures to prevent the damage and not providing enough documentation of the damage.

What can you do if your claim has been denied? Listed below are what steps to take if your homeowner’s insurance claim was denied. 

  • Review your policy. It is important to understand the coverage available in your policy to determine if your claim was wrongfully denied. 
  • Review the formal letter of denial. Your insurance provider is required to send a formal letter that explains why your claim was denied. You can ask the adjuster or your insurance company for clarification if you do not understand the reason your claim was denied or if the reason is ambiguous. 
  • File an appeal if you believe your claim should not have been denied. 
  • Consult an attorney. A lawyer can carefully review your insurance policy and see what options are available in your specific case. 

You purchased your homeowner’s insurance policy for a reason. It is important that you are able to use to help pay for damages and repairs to your home when the unexpected happens. 

Source: Fox Business, “What to Do If Your Homeowner’s Insurance Claim is Denied,” March 11, 2015

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