How to Dispute a Home Insurance Claim

If you have made a homeowner’s insurance claim that has subsequently been denied by the insurance carrier, you have every right to dispute the denial. However, these claims can become complicated, and it is crucial that you work with a skilled California homeowner’s insurance claim denial attorney as soon as possible. Here, we want to discuss some of the basic steps that you need to take if you need to dispute a home insurance claim denial.

1. Know what is covered under your policy

Homeowners need to know what their policy covers and what it does not cover. There is a chance that a denial occurred because of an exclusion located deep within the policy itself. If you know your rights under the terms of your homeowner’s insurance policy, you will be able to bring any discrepancy to the claims adjuster’s attention.

2. Understand why your claim was denied

If a claim is denied, you should receive a formal, written letter from the insurance carrier that states the exact reason for the denial. Be sure that this letter shows the precise language from the policy that the carrier is using to deny the claim. Do not hesitate to contact the insurance company if you do not understand why the claim is denied or if the reasons they give for the denial are unclear.

3. Take pictures and document your loss

In some cases, claims are denied due to a lack of evidence of the loss. Anytime you sustained damage to your property, you need to take pictures of the damages from multiple angles and distances and describe the exact date, time, and circumstances surrounding the damage.

4. Request an independent appraisal

If you disagree with the insurance carrier’s assessment of the property value or the extent of your damages, you should request an independent appraisal to get another opinion. Most policies have specific provisions that allow for independent appraisal requests, though this may need to be at the homeowner’s expense.

5. Demonstrate that you are a responsible homeowner

Many insurance claims are denied because the insurance carrier claims the damages were caused by the homeowner’s negligence. In order for you to appeal the denial, you need to have evidence to show that you did everything in your power to mitigate the damages to your property.

6. File an appeal

Every homeowner’s insurance policy will have a process that policyholders can go through to appeal a denial. However, it is crucial that policyholders abide by the timeline for the appeals process. An appeal should include a written explanation of all evidence and documentation that you have gathered to support your claim.

7. File a complaint

If you are not successful by going through the appeals process with your homeowner’s insurance company, you may need to file a complaint with the state’s insurance board so they can investigate the denial.

8. Contact an attorney

The team at Dawson & Rosenthal is standing by to help you through this. We will investigate every aspect of your claim and work to ensure that you secure the compensation you are entitled to in the terms of your policy. When you need a California home insurance claim denial attorney, you can contact us by clicking here or by calling (800) 598-5017.