What Causes A Denied Hurricane Claim?

When disaster strikes, we are often left emotionally vulnerable. Confusion can turn to rage when a relied-upon safety net, like homeowner’s insurance, fails us. Hopefully, this breakdown of common reasons for a denied hurricane claim (and what to do) might help bring a sense of calmness and rationality to this difficult situation.

Typical Causes of Insurance Claim Denial

Any time an insurance claim is denied, the insurance company is required to provide you with a written justification. Phone conversations are usually not enough to be considered a denial.

Basic reasons for denial include the following:

• not paying premiums on time
• not filing a claim on time
• not documenting the damages claimed
• pre-existing property damage or poor upkeep causing the loss

These are all reasonable reasons for refusing a claim which do not leave much room for contention.

A more complicated matter can arise from your insurance policy’s exclusions lists. Claims for hurricane or hail damage, for example, may be rejected based on your location. Many coastal counties’ home insurance policies do not include such coverage. Claims for flood damage must be made with the appropriate organization and not your homeowner’s insurance provider. This is because flood damage is typically covered by different insurance.

Depending on the way homeowners present their insurance company with their damage claims, they may be denied coverage. Without property documentation, your insurance provider may deny your proof of possession.

Property owners are also expected to act appropriately to prevent further damage from occurring following the initial incident. For example, if a hailstorm resulted in holes in your roof, it is your responsibility to temporarily cover those holes. If you fail to do so, you may be deemed liable for the damage caused by subsequent rainstorms on your home.

Appealing an Insurance Claim Denial

You can take the following actions on your own or hire a homeowners insurance claims lawyer to assist you if you think your insurance provider is wrongfully rejecting your claim:

• File an appeal: Your homeowner’s policy will tell you how to do this and what timeline you must meet. To reverse the denial, your appeal must contain as much supporting information as you can find.
• Your claim will be reviewed again: Consult a licensed public insurance adjuster. They can help you seek the greatest amount of compensation permitted by your policy, check your coverage, and assist you in documenting the losses you have incurred.
• File a formal complaint: If all else has failed, and it seems like your insurance company is acting in bad faith, you can choose to file a complaint with your state’s Department of Insurance.

As a certified property insurance appraiser, Stone Claims Group is dedicated to helping you get the insurance payout that is owed to you.

Dealing with insurers’ unscrupulous tactics is the last thing you want during an unfortunate disaster. Trust our legal team at Stone Claims Group to act quickly, collect all the necessary evidence, and communicate with your insurance provider in the policy language. We will do everything we can to obtain the justice you deserve when claiming fair coverage from your insurance company.