insurance claim

You filed a claim with your insurance company, expecting to receive reimbursement for your loss, but they denied your claim or offer way too little. Now what? Here in Florida, this is a common problem and we are here to help. Most importantly, if you are not happy with their response, do not sign anything until we talk.

Whether it’s car insurance, business interruption insurance, homeowner’s insurance, or any other type of insurance, the company is in business to make money. I do not mean to paint with a broad brush, suggesting that insurance companies are dishonest or unwilling to help their customers, but the fact remains that they do need to make a profit for their stockholders. Thus, unless the coverage is very clearly defined in your policy, there may be ways to decrease or deny a payout.

Let’s look at some of the reasons why your claim may have been denied and what you can do. Do not sign anything or cash any checks until you have attempted a dispute process or spoken to an attorney experienced in resolving insurance disputes.

Here in Florida, we are frequently hit hard by hurricanes. If your home suffered damage in a hurricane – like the recent Hurricane Ida that did so much damage – but your claim was denied, don’t panic. Insurance companies often deny claims initially. Sometimes the denial is legitimate, and sometimes it’s an honest mistake. Sometimes it’s the insurance company’s attempt to save money. Regardless, we can help you understand the reasons for the denial and then plan to change the decision if the denial was improper.

Often, repairing hurricane damage to a home or car can’t wait. It needs to be addressed immediately – which means you will be seeking reimbursement from your insurance company. Receiving a denial of your claim and not receiving the funds you expected or receiving much less than it cost to do the repairs can be very discouraging, but it might not be the end of the road for you. You may be able to contest the denial.

An important word of caution: While it is always best to contact your insurance company before making any repairs, sometimes they need to be made immediately. If this is the case, before you make any repairs, and possibly even before you move anything or clean anything, take pictures or videos of the damage and store them in a safe place. This evidence will be critical in supporting your claim, especially if the damage requires you to make quick repairs.

Articles Tagged with insurance claim

When Your Insurance Company Will Not Pay

Recovering from Hurricane Ida – Insurance Claim Denied?