After a storm blew through your neighborhood, causing a tree, branches, or other debris to fall on your roof and cause damage, you did everything you knew to do. You took pictures, contacted your insurance provider, and filed a claim to cover the damage. It should be pretty cut-and-dry.
Then, you get the response. Denied. How? You can see the damage, how can’t they? Sometimes it is not that simple. Fortunately, you don’t have to accept that denial. If you believe you should be covered for the damages, there are next steps you should take as a homeowner to fight for your case.
Here is what you should know as a homeowner after your insurance claim is denied.
Common Reasons Your Insurance Claim Might’ve Been Denied
Firstly, there are some common reasons your insurance claim might have been denied.
The damage you reported in your claim may not be covered under your policy to begin with. It is essential to review your policy and make sure that the damage falls under what is covered. Then, you may not have sent enough documentation or evidence of the damages. You want to ensure that you are providing all necessary photos, weather data, and contractor reports.
Additionally, there is the option that the claim could have been filed too late and past the proper due date. Again, reviewing your policy can ensure that you are following the right timelines set in place. Lastly, your insurance claim could have been denied because the damage was disputed by the evaluator. If the insurance-provided inspector claims the damage is not as bad or not what you claim, you could be denied.
Don’t Start Repairs Yet
The most important thing to remember if your insurance claim was denied and you believe it was a mistake is not to start any repairs yet. The last thing you want to do is to possibly erase any evidence that is still there. You want to keep the damages as-is so you can continue with the dispute process, gather more evidence, and conduct another evaluation of the scene. Repairs would only halt this process immediately. It can be best to put a tarp over the damage and let it be for the time being.
Take Time to Review Your Denial Letter and Insurance Policy
This is your opportunity to review your insurance policy and your denial letter. You want to get a good idea of what you are actually covered for and then read the language carefully on your denial letter. This can give you a better idea of what they are claiming and what your next steps should be to dispute it. If they use vague language, there is room for dispute.
Gather All The Proper Evidence and Get Your Own Inspection
Once you are able to see exactly why your insurance company denied your claim, you can see what might have been missing in your report or what needs further backing up. So, your next steps are to gather all the proper documentation and evidence and get your own inspection done independently.
You want to have photos and videos of the damage from multiple angles, weather reports or storm data from your area, and any receipts or estimates regarding the damage done. The more information you are able to gather, the stronger foundation you are creating for yourself. Then, it can be wise to take it upon yourself to get an independent roof inspection completed. With a third-party perspective, you can acquire unbiased documentation on the damage that might show what the insurance company overlooked.
File a Formal Appeal
All of these steps are working you up to file a formal appeal to the insurance claim denial. With your additional understanding of your policy and denial, increased amount of documentation, and third-party evaluation, you can submit a strong formal appeal to your insurance company, stating that your claim should be reevaluated and for what reason. You want to ensure to be detailed in this appeal, walking them through exactly why the appeal is sensible and why the denial was incorrect.
Don’t Give Up. Connect With Legal Counsel
At the end of the day, if this process becomes overwhelming or challenging, or if your appeal was not successful in the way you hoped it would be, you can still keep fighting. You can partner with legal counsel who can help look over your case, provide legal guidance, and represent you in your case to ensure your appeal and claim are properly acknowledged, heard, and concluded. A lawyer can help push your case forward.
Don’t allow a denial of your insurance claim to stump you. If you believe their denial was incorrect, you have a path forward. If you have further questions or wish to grow a strong case around your insurance claim, contact the team at Rapp Law Firm.