One day, you come home from work to find your kitchen flooded. You make a claim under your residential insurance policy, stating that a pipe burst behind your walls. However, the insurance company denies the claim. The adjuster says that your pipe was probably leaking for months, so they’re not going to pay for the damage.
Stories like this are sadly common. Policies include many hidden ways that insurance companies can use to deny your claim.
Below, you’ll learn how to know whether your home insurance policy covers your claim, as well as what to do if your provider denies it.
What Does Home Insurance Coverage Typically Include?
All homeowners’ insurance policies are a bit different, but most will cover:
- Sudden and unexpected damage to your dwelling
- Damage to personal property
- Losses due to theft
- Injuries that happen on your property
- Additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable
Homeowners’ insurance protection usually does not cover:
- Flood damage
- Damage caused by earthquakes or other natural disasters
- Insect damage
Does Your Residential Insurance Plan Cover Your Claim?
Because no two policies are the same, you’ll need to call your insurance company to determine whether your residential insurance policy covers a specific claim. When you call an agent, ask:
- Does my policy cover this type of damage?
- What’s my deductible?
- Will I need to procure estimates to fix the damage?
- How long will it take for you to process the claim?
What to Do If Insurance Denies Your Claim
You’re sure that your residential insurance policy covers your claim, yet the insurance company denies it. A denial is frustrating, but it isn’t the end of the road. Here’s what to do.
First, understand why insurance denied the claim. An adjuster will send you a letter stating the reason. Denials are common when you:
- Miss the filing deadline
- Fail to provide enough evidence of what happened
- Neglect to pay premiums for insurance coverage
If the adjuster denied your claim because your residential insurance policy doesn’t cover a specific kind of damage, you’re out of luck. However, if you disagree with the denial, you can file an appeal. You usually have 30 days to do this after the denial, although the deadline varies by insurance company.
Need help handling your insurance denial? Give McLaurin Law, PLLC a call today.
What If the Insurance Company Is Acting in Bad Faith?
Sometimes, insurance companies refuse to pay out on valid claims or deliberately try to make things difficult. They don’t want to pay out on your claim, especially if doing so would be very expensive. Refusing to pay out on a valid claim is called acting in bad faith.
Your insurance company might be acting in bad faith if:
- The adjuster won’t respond to your calls or emails
- They conveniently “lose” evidence or paperwork
- They undervalue your claim
- They try to blame you for the damage
- They approve your claim but drag their feet on paying out
If you think the insurance company is acting in bad faith, it’s wise to reach out to an attorney experienced with house insurance policy claim denials.
Contact Us for Residential Insurance Denials in Texas
Claim denials can feel like a slap in the face, especially if you’re certain your policy covers your claim. If you feel your insurance company denied your claim for no good reason, call McLaurin Law, PLLC. Our attorneys may be able to fight the denial and handle insurance companies acting in bad faith.
For a consultation regarding your residential insurance policy claim, contact McLaurin Law, PLLC at (713) 322 5523.
