Where do you turn when your homeowner’s insurance claim is denied? You’ve suffered a loss to your home and property, but you take comfort in knowing you are insured. The damage is clearly covered; you filed your claim with your homeowners’ insurance company, and its adjuster said he or she will get back in touch with you. You pay your homeowner’s insurance bill every month, right on time, so what could go wrong?
This is where it can start to turn rocky. Unfortunately, some homeowners’ insurance companies will immediately deny your claim outright, or in other situations, will offer pennies on the dollar to settle all your loss or damages. The truth is that insurance adjusters are trained to pay you as little as possible to settle your claim. They will tell you that certain provisions in your insurance policy do not cover your claim or only part of it. Some adjusters will even tell you it is not necessary to hire a lawyer. So nothing can be done, and case closed, right? Not at all.
Why Was Your Claim Denied?
If your insurance claim has been denied, in whole or in part, the company should send you a letter, which explains why you will not be receiving payment for the damage or loss to your home and/or property. Sometimes the companies will deny your claim by asserting the damage was pre-existing, normal wear and tear, defective construction, or caused by poor maintenance. However, what the adjusters tell you over the phone or in letters is not necessarily true. The adjuster does not work for you, but rather, the insurance company. Therefore, do not accept the word of the adjuster. If you give up, this is what the adjuster wants, since its one less file on his desk. Insurance companies count on you getting frustrated and eventually walking away from the tedious process of filing an insurance claim and perhaps finding it necessary to hire a lawyer. If you find yourself in a situation where the company has refused to pay part or all of your claim, or not responding at all, now is the time to speak with an attorney who is experienced in taking on large insurance companies on behalf of homeowners, and getting results for his clients.
The Law Offices of Rand Saltsgaver stand ready to fight on your behalf. We have had the privilege of representing people in Florida homeowners’ cases for more than 35 years. We understand homeowners and commercial building insurance policies, and how Florida law applies to them. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your claim. If we represent you, we seek our attorney’s fees and costs from the insurance company, not you.